2023 Renault’s Scenic Vision MPV Concept is a hydrogen range-extender
Before you roll your eyes at the unveiling of Renault’s Scenic Vision MPV concept, you might want to hear about its zero-emissions hydrogen range-extender powertrain. Where Renault was once famed for putting engines in the back of Clios, it’s now turned its experimental engineering to electrons.
At its core, the Scenic Vision is fitted with a 40kWh battery pack – that’s smaller than the capacity of the Renault Zoe supermini – and it’s powered by a 215bhp electric motor taken from the Megane E-Tech that uses no rare earth metals. However, the really clever bit is that Renault has also installed a 15kW hydrogen fuel-cell, which recharges the battery to increase the car’s driving range on longer trips to around 500 miles.
When you aren’t travelling far, the 40kWh battery should be sufficient for local trips, and help keep the weight of the MPV down. But when a longer journey beckons, a refill of the hydrogen tank – providing there’s the infrastructure in place to support it – will take less than five minutes. Unlike a petrol range-extender, the use of hydrogen also means the powertrain is fully zero emissions. Renault says there would be ‘no need to charge the battery until the car reaches its destination’, because it’s quicker to top up the hydrogen tank than to charge the battery.
The hydrogen range-extender can also be used to keep the battery at the best temperature for optimal range in cold weather. The cutting-edge Scenic Vision is also the best showcase for Renault’s ‘virtuous circle’ concept so far, with more than 70% of its total mass coming from renewable and recyclable materials, while 95% of the materials used in its design are said to be reusable. Measuring 4,490mm in length, 1,900mm wide and 1,590mm high, the Scenic Vision is a C-segment MPV with suicide rear doors and no B-pillar, providing unrestricted access to its rear seats. It has an angular and sporting design, with 21-inch alloy wheels, a large rear spoiler and sharp exterior lighting that includes illuminated Renault badges. Its interior is arguably even more experimental, with four individual seats – expect a three-seat rear bench in a production version – a transparent dashboard display and ten individual ‘widget’ touchscreens dotted around the cabin that can all show configurable information. For now it’s just a concept car, however, Renault has a good reputation for productionising cars so that they reach Renault showrooms, so watch this space.
