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Renault shattered the opposition and left them for dead back in 1996 when it introduced the Scenic.

The first compact people carrier was an instant sensation and even now it remains in pole position, taking 20 per cent of the European market with over two million sales so far.

Other manufacturers were quick to imitate.

Vauxhall with their Zafira, and Citroen with the stylish Picasso, have now grabbed a share of the action.

Others, however were left behind. But now as the big two, Ford and VW prepare to heat things up with their efforts, the C-Max and Touran, Renault have shifted the goalposts by introducing Scenic II.

And Renault believe their newcomer will still have the edge over all its rivals, including its new competitors.

Renault designers seem to have got a bit carried away recently, notably with the now deceased Avantime and the less than handsome Vel Satis.

Indeed, even the new Megane on which this Scenic is based came in for some criticism in the looks department.

The good news however, is that the Scenic suits its new style.

Its nice lines and family signature give it a handsome look and it looks sharp, crisp and elegant.

Renault have also added about £1000 of goodies in extra value to the range making it hard to beat.

The new Scenic offers no giant leap forward in terms of driving dynamics, but having said that there is nothing very much wrong with it.

It offers a nice ride and the handling is sound if not exciting.

You do enjoy a great view of the road through a huge windscreen, which is the largest in the class, and the high seating position offers a commanding but still car-like feel.

The car will go on the market in September and offers a choice of five engines.

There will be three petrol versions, a 1.4, 1.6 and two-litre, with two diesels of 1.5 and 1.9-litres.

A six-speed box is fitted to the largest petrol and diesel units, and an auto box can be specified for another £1000.

In terms of fuel efficiency the Scenic can achieve anything from 47mpg to a fine 64mpg from the big diesel unit.

In terms of performance, there is very little to choose between the top petrol and diesel engines, although the petrol just shades it in terms of top speed and the 0-60 sprint.

But the diesel unit is easily the better in terms of economy, flexibility and overtaking grunt.

I was not impressed with the two smaller engines tested, the 1.6 petrol and 1.5 diesel. Both failed to excite and always seemed to be working too hard for leisurely cruising.

The interior of the new Scenic is a comfortable and reasonably quiet place to be, although tyre noise was an issue on some surfaces.

The cabin boasts all the family friendly things you would expect from a compact mpv, such as five individual reclining, sliding, folding and removable seats, some of them fitted with picnic tables.

There is also plenty of visible and non-visible storage place, and the size of the luggage stowage area has also been boosted by an extra 20 litres.

Passengers enjoy more room than in the last model and the cabin feels very bright and airy, thanks to the vast double sunroof fitted to some models.

Some of the plastics used are a bit dodgy and may well suffer from growing kids, and I didn’t care much for the roll-top stowage box fitted between the front seats and designed to slide back and forwards so that front and rear seat passengers can share its hidden delights.

Frankly it looks as if it will be a nuisance to adult occupants and a distraction for the driver when it is being messed with.

One good point is a second mirror which will allow the front seat passenger to keep an eye on the little treasures in the back.

The Scenic now also features Renault‘s keyless ignition system and four trim levels.

All versions bristle with safety features like ABS and a host of airbags and the standard fittings are too numerous to mention.

Prices will start at £12,850 and rise to £18,050, so the Scenic II looks to be good value for money.

It certainly looks good and offers some neat touches, but the engines, with the exception of the 1.9 diesel were only competent.

Whether or not it is good enough to continue in top slot is a different matter. We will have to sample the efforts from VW and Ford to make a decision.

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Renault is to introduce a new version of the Clio – and it’s going to be a special number.

Just 500 of the new Clio 197 F1 Team cars are scheduled for the UK and each will have its own numbered plaque.

This gives the cars a degree of exclusivity and helps to maintain future values, as Renault discovered to its cost once before.

The French firm gave the UK a strictly-limited assignment of hot-hatch Clios a few years ago and the cars proved such a big hit that the company imported another batch.

Buyers of the original lot took legal action against Renault on the basis that the value of their cars had been reduced because their exclusivity was eroded by the addition of more new models.

This time Renault says there will definitely be no more than the planned 500 although some of the car’s features may be incorporated into other Clios at a future date.

These include revised suspension that is lower and stiffer plus distinctive metallic yellow bodywork, bright red brake callipers, anthracite alloys and sporty Recaro seats plus Renault F1 Team and World Champion badges.

As far as power and performance are concerned the car is identical to the standard Clio 197, which will get the suspension revisions later this year.

The newcomer will be seen for the first time at the Geneva motor show next month and orders will be taken from April, nearer which time prices will be announced.

Renault is to introduce a new version of the Clio – and it’s going to be a special number.

Just 500 of the new Clio 197 F1 Team cars are scheduled for the UK and each will have its own numbered plaque.

This gives the cars a degree of exclusivity and helps to maintain future values, as Renault discovered to its cost once before.

The French firm gave the UK a strictly-limited assignment of hot-hatch Clios a few years ago and the cars proved such a big hit that the company imported another batch.

Buyers of the original lot took legal action against Renault on the basis that the value of their cars had been reduced because their exclusivity was eroded by the addition of more new models.

This time Renault says there will definitely be no more than the planned 500 although some of the car’s features may be incorporated into other Clios at a future date.

These include revised suspension that is lower and stiffer plus distinctive metallic yellow bodywork, bright red brake callipers, anthracite alloys and sporty Recaro seats plus Renault F1 Team and World Champion badges.

As far as power and performance are concerned the car is identical to the standard Clio 197, which will get the suspension revisions later this year.

The newcomer will be seen for the first time at the Geneva motor show next month and orders will be taken from April, nearer which time prices will be announced.

I Doubt as you sit reading this your bottom is on your mind at all and if it is may I just congratulate you on adopting such an interesting posture.

The frequent human presumption is that the word bottom is being used in the context of anatomy. Indeed, just take a moment to consider how important this part of the body, often relegated behind the needs of the face, hands and feet, is and what a mess we would be in without one.

I am utterly convinced that sitting directly on the hips would be very painful and as we would not need seats, wonder what shape cars would be if they were driven by people standing up. Very tall probably.

Actually, looking at the cubist Japanese market, I fear the future of the bottom has already sagged.

The needs of the sit upon zone has greatly influenced the design of the motor car. Sliding and tilting seats, for instance, eliminating at a stroke the high cost of fitting rear doors.

And never has the motorist’s bottom been so cosseted as in the 21st century car. Seats are heated, have memories and rise and fall like, well let’s just say they go up and down. The Citroen C5 even administers a gentle spanking to alert drivers if they wander out of lane.

Bringing us to the very top of the bottoms. The Renault Megane. The car formerly known as J Lo.

This is, without a doubt, the only car ever marketed on the strengths of its derriere. Acres of television advertising wiggled itself in our faces, enthusing on the joys of ‘shakin’ that ass’. An appallingly rough way to treat a donkey.

The latest version has had liposuction and now when somebody shouts big bum they mean you, not the car. Making for a most attractive, in a happy families way, hatchback.

At first glance this may bring on a stifled yawn. The fascia and instruments, for example, are pretty simple and while the six-speed 130bhp 1.9 DCi is swift enough in a straight line, 9.5 seconds to 62mph, it is about as sharp in the corners as a balloon.

No matter, because with huge luggage space and seats for five I reckon you would be looking at this from a dogs and kids perspective. Which makes the price of £17,500 for the Dynamique and a possible 55mpg a key consideration. Tax band C helps, too.

What does hit home pretty quickly is how comfortable the Megane is. Yes the ride is soft but everyone in the back stays happy. For the careless among you, being a Renault, it is very safe in a crash.

In this spec you get the basic package including air conditioning, electric windows and surgical support seats to which is added keyless entry, alloys, cruise control and a CD radio with Bluetooth which I couldn’t understand.

The hatch is not built in France but in Spain at Palencia, where Fernando Alonso comes from. I’ve never really looked closely but the ladies say he has a nice bottom. So now does the Megane.

Renault has opened the order book for its 2008 Modus and Grand Modus models, which come with a choice of two trim levels and five engines.

Prices start at £9,650 for the Modus with an entry-level 1.2-litre 75bhp petrol engine and Expression trim and equipment, rising to £12,550 for the Modus Dynamique dCi 86 Quickshift5.

Grand Modus prices range from £10,250 for models with the same engine and equipment package as the entry-level Modus, rising to £13,400 for the Dynamique dCi 106.

The newcomers will be exported here from the French firm’s Spanish factory from February.

The Modus will have an overall length of 3,874mm in comparison to 4,034mm for the Grand Modus.

With a wheelbase of 2,575mm, the Grand Modus is claiming one of the roomiest interiors and biggest boot volumes in its class.

The carrying capacity of 410 litres is 50 per cent larger than that of the standard Modus, which uses the same platform as Nissan’s Note.

There is also a split folding rear seat and a myriad of storage compartments within the vehicle.

In the case of the standard Modus, Renault says it is aimed at customers looking for a vehicle with a high driving position and an effective compromise between exterior dimensions and cabin space.

Additional features on Expression versions of both the new Modus and Grand Modus include air conditioning, 15-inch Aria wheel trims, 2 x 15W RDS radio CD with fingertip controls, body-coloured door handles, body-coloured electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, height adjustable driver’s seat, electric front windows with driver and passenger one-touch control, striped interior trim and multi-function trip computer.

Additional features on Dynamique version of both vehicles include 15-inch alloy wheels, curtain airbags, electrically folding and adjustable heated door mirrors, electric rear windows, front fog lights, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, rear seatbelt pretensioners on the outer rear seats, and Techno interior trim.

THE Laguna has come a long way since it replaced the Renault 21 back in 1994.

Back then it was designed to take on the likes of the Passat, Mondeo and Vectra.

It always has had its share of innovations and been keenly priced, but was often trumped in term of build quality and appeal.

Renault says the new Laguna aims to be in the top three in its segment for both product and service quality and has invested a billion euros to achieve this.

The firm has such confidence in the new model after extensive testing in harsh climates, it is now offering a three-year/100,000 mile warranty on the model.

The Sport Tourer version of the new car follows the hatchback launched in October and joins the battle in one of the most hotly contested areas where there are a number of stylish and practical sportwagons/estates.

It is certainly an elegant derivative of the saloon and is easily as good looking as rivals such as BMW and Audi.

It is bigger than its predecessor, more streamlined with bolder lines new triple lens and distinctive 16 or 18-inch alloy wheels.

Interior space easily accommodates driver and four adults while the boot space offers a generous 1,595 litres of space.

The loading level is a convenient height and there are innovations such as the one-touch luggage cover and one touch controls for lowering the rear seats completely flat. These are particularly helpful for families having to load pushchairs and shopping or golf clubs and DIY equipment.

The interior feels as well put together as German rivals thanks to Renault paying careful attention to the materials used and the standard of fit.

Renault says the design and positioning of all the controls have been rethought to deliver the best visibility and ease of use.

They do feel modern, robust and are logically placed and easy to use.

Driver and passengers are held both firmly and comfortably in the seats and on the road the car handles well and the stiffened body and more rigid suspension aborbs the worst British road can offer with some ease.

The steering could be sharper, but overall the driving experience is good.

The Sport Tourer comes with a choice of 140 and 170bhp two-litre petrol engines and entry level 1.5-litre 110bhp diesel and a two-litre diesel with 130, 150 and 175bhp variants.

Each offers a six-speed gearbox, with a six-speed standard on top range models.

The 1.5 dCi 110 engine qualifies it for Renault’s ‘eco2′ seal of environmental quality.

It also deivers class-leading low carbon dioxide emissions of 130g/km, excellent fuel efficiency of 57.6mpg combined (according to Renault) and more than decent performance.

Given my drive in this and the more powerful 150bhp diesel, the performance enhancement hardly seemed worth the effort of spending the extra cash.

The 140bhp petrol engine also proved a lively performer offering sharp acceleration but also returning nearly 37mpg according to Renault figures.

The Sport Tourer is also available in four trim specifications with Expression, Dynamique, Dynamique S and Initiale.

Prices start from £16,940 for the Expression rising to £24,350 for the Initiale.

The entry-level Expression includes 16-inch alloy wheels, CD-RDS radio, air conditioning, alarm, electric front and rear windows, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, leather-trimmed steering wheel and keyless entry with the Renault Card while the extra goodies increase proportionately with each step up the range.

The Laguna was also first in achieving Euro NCAP five star safety rating and safety is still of paramount importance.

It offers six airbags with rear thorax airbags as an option, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), assisted braking, anti-lock braking and traction control.

Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, the Laguna hatch went on sale in October. Sport Tourer models are in showrooms from January 4, 2008.

FOR many years, diesel was the way to go in terms of saving money on car ownership but that might no longer be the case.

With the higher price added to the extra cost of fuel, you have to do a lot of miles every year to gain despite the fact that oil burners hold their value better. Check it out before you buy.

The Renault Scenic is available with three diesel engines and four power outputs, but for most people the 105bhp 1.5 dCi I’ve been driving is the pick of the bunch.

The 80bhp version below it is underpowered, but I found little lacking in this one to make me want to pay the extra for 1.9 or 2.0-litre models.

The engine is smooth and quiet with good urge through the gears and excellent economy.

The ride is very comfortable over all surfaces and it also clings on well in the corners, albeit with some roll when pushed very hard.

Interior

Inside there is storage everywhere, folding picnic tables and rear seats with adjustable legroom.

Supportive front seats have height adjustment for the driver and the steering column adjusts for height and reach. Dynamique trim brings keyless entry and ignition.

FAST FACTS

Renault Scenic 1.5 dCi Dynamique

Price: £18,300

Mechanical: 105bhp, 1,461cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed: 111mph

0-62mph: 12.4 secs

Combined mpg: 54

Insurance group: 5

CO2 emissions: 138g/km

BiK rating: 18%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12 yrs anti-rust

Marks: 9/10

Main rival: Citroen Picasso

I WAS never a fan of the current Renault Laguna – mainly because of a bad experience with electrics on my first road test with it which left me locked out the car on a freezing cold and snowy afternoon waiting on an emergency patrol coming to my rescue.

So the new Laguna, which goes on sale from the 19th of next month, needed to be impressive to get me back on side and it certainly is.

It also has to be good if it wants to compete with Ford’s latest Mondeo which has already lifted its share of awards and is in the running for more.

The French firm is on the record as saying it wants to improve the reliability and driveability of all its products by 2009 and the new Laguna promises to set the tone for all forthcoming models.

The new hatchback’s styling will not set the pulses of many racing but it is a look that grows on you after a while. It features overly large headlights on either side of a new-look nose and the profile is rather slabby. The rear features a very high boot line which makes the car look a bit stumpy but it does conceal a huge and very useful luggage space.

A very good looking Sport Tourer (estate car) will be available to order from later this month and it will arrive in showrooms in January, so if its looks your after this is the one to have.

Renault are so happy with the new model that they have increased their warranty to three years or a 100,000 miles and certainly there is now a solid feel to the car.

The interior is a fine place to be. Renault has spent a great deal of time and cash on the standard of build and materials and it has paid off.

The seats are extremely comfortable and there is enough room for five adults to travel in comfort. The dash is both stylish and functional and the materials are all soft-touch and replace the harsh plastics of the previous model.

There is a real sense of refinement about this new car and it is a very quiet motorway cruiser with very little noise of any kind entering the cabin.

Six speed gearboxes are standard across the range, for both automatic and manual versions and they are mated to a variety of petrol and diesel engines.

The cheapest is the 138bhp 2.0-litre petrol, while there is also a 168bhp 2.0-litre turbo. The three diesel units are a new 1.5-litre which returns 53.3mpg and has very low emissions in order to appeal to company car tax-paying drivers. The 2.0-litre diesel unit comes in two forms, one at 128bhp and the other at 148bhp. Some other new engines will be added next year.

There are four trim levels and combined with the five engines customers have plenty of choice. The starting point is £15,990 on the road and the most expensive £23,400.

In many cases this means savings of up to £500 on some of the old models which is quite remarkable when you consider the improvement in quality.

I had a go at most versions during the launch but found the 1.5 diesel to be my favourite. Its blend of decent performance and economy will be hard to match in this size of car and it will be a winner on fleet sales.

The handling is assured and refined rather than sharp but the new Laguna comes into its own by isolating its occupants from bumps and noise. The steering is responsive and the car features a host of safety features and is liable to continue Renault’s five-star NCAP record.

The new Ford Mondeo is currenty the benchmark in this sector and while the Laguna is a huge improvement on the old model it still can’t match the Ford, either for looks or handling.

What it does do is beat the Ford on price while at the same time offering a refined and comfortable package. It will find a following despite its rather disappointing looks.

IN THE automotive industry, the shape of things to come philosophy has been alive and very well for as long as I can remember.

I can recall sharp intakes of breath at the introduction back in the 50s of the bulbous Standard Vanguard, the sharp-edged shape of the Triumph Mayflower and the round-rumped Renault Dauphine making its innovative appearance.

More recent innovators have included the Ford Focus and Fiat Multipla, each moving away from convention to successfully test the acceptance level of the conservative UK car buyer.

The latest car maker to shape up to this challenge is Renault, translating the design language from the radical-looking Avantime and Vel Satis into their newest kid on the block, the Megane II, which is available from later this month.

Megane II has a hard act to follow in a predecessor which has been a solid performer in the family hatchback league for the past six years.

But this radical innovation is light years away from the current Megane badge-carriers, making a bold statement in five-door Hatch and three-door Sport Hatch form, the first two derivatives of what will eventually be a seven-model range.

Megane II shapes up well from the nose with its two-barred radiator grille adding emphasis to the car’s extra width, through wings which are sharply outlined at the top and shapely flanks, to a truly distinctive rear.

As far as I’m concerned, the jury is still out on this, the Megane’s most radical design feature. The almost vertical drop of the rear window to the curve of the protruding boot mimics the styling of the much bigger, executive sector Renault Avantime. But has this striking piece of architecture transferred effectively to the smaller car? Or, perhaps, “does Megane’s bum look good in this?” may be the burning question for some!

However, beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder and, whichever way you view it, Megane II is going to get you noticed, for this is anything but a look-alike member of the small family car category.

Much creative thought has also gone into an interior which majors on improved quality and extra comfort. Seating is much more supportively comfortable than in the old Megane; there’s an improved driving position, with rake and reach adjustment on the steering column, increased footwell space and, while the centre console features a much sportier look, the instrument dials are distinctively picked out with aluminium finish rings.

On board, there are plenty of storage spaces including out of sight stowage areas in a boot which is actually shorter than in its predecessor, a cooled glovebox, plus the obligatory cup-holders and, while the aircraft-style handbrake may look a little gimicky, it is functional, too, freeing up space for an additional storage box.

A wider body means a more manoeuvrably roomy interior, particular in terms of shoulder space – however, the optional twin sunroof may limit headroom for some, while rear legroom could also have its limitations.

Five engine options will be available when the car first hits the showrooms – three 16-valve petrol (1.4-litre, 1.6 and 2.0) and a brace of diesels, 1.5-litre and 1.9 – while trim levels are also five-fold – Authentique, Expression, Dynamique and Priviledge for the five-door, Dynamique and Extreme in the three .

At the car’s Press launch, I particularly enjoyed the 1.9-litre diesel-powered Dynamique Five-Door Hatchback. Paired up with a six-speed Nissan gearbox and rated at 120bhp, it effortlessly ate up the motorway miles, and produced some solid low-down pulling power when required and all performed in extremely economical fashion, this version being capable of around the 50mpg mark for a combination of town and country driving.

Despite tickover reminders of its oil-burning heritage, progress proved a pretty refined affair, this Megane II, mounted on 16-inch alloys, providing an enjoyably comfortable ride, courtesy of a reworked suspension system and improved torsional control. Wider tracking also helps to provide a much more dynamically agile performance, although I would perhaps have appreciated a little more communication from the electric power steering!

Equipment levels are good on board the Megane II Dynamique, with half a dozen air bags, ABS Braking and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) plus Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) all on hand to assist the unwise and the unwary, while manual air con, electric windows and six-speaker CD head the list in the comfort zone.

A further boon to the diesel driver in particular is Renault’s adoption of the Formula 1-style fuel filler featuring a non-return valve under the fuel flap which makes gassing up a much more user-friendly process.

The Megane II Hatch and Sport Hatch are to be followed next year by a pair of new Scenics, a Coupe Cabrio, Sport Tourer and Saloon versions.

In the meantime, these first versions are on sale from October 18, at prices from £10,500 for the entry level 1.4-litre Hatch Authentique, rising through £12,745 for the 1.9-litre diesel Dynamique to the flagship Hatch Privilege at £15,700. Insurance groupings are also wallet-friendly, starting at Group 3E.

Megane II is an extremely bold move by Renault to make even further progress in a hotly contested sector stalked by the likes of the Ford Focus, VW Golf and Honda Civic.

But this is a Hatchback like you have never seen before and, with Renault targeting 31,000 new owners in the first full year of sale, Megane II is certainly going to be a shape successfully designed to grow on you.

DEPRECIATION is not heavy on Renault‘s Espace because they are so sought after and there are plenty of reasons for that.

They are hugely versatile of course and very practical, easy to drive and good to live with. But they are also pretty huge, although they don’t feel that size from the driver’s seat.

Petrol 2.0, 2.9 and three-litre models are all pretty thirsty and the lowliest two-litre 115bhp is a little underpowered for the size and weight. The 140bhp version is much better.

Turbo diesels are 115 and 130bhp 2.2, plus 1.9 and three-litre V6. The 2.2 is the best choice for performance with economy, giving similar performance to the two-litre petrol and 35-39mpg.

Reliability is good as long as the proper servicing has been done, so make sure that history is comprehensive and if there is none, do not touch with a barge pole.

Equipment is good to excellent depending on trim.

Interior

Not all have seven seats. The extra two were an option on some but the mountings are in the floor to add them.

An upright driving position gives great vision, power steering is excellent but interiors show wear and tear if harshly treated. Space is vast, but rear seats are heavy and very awkward to take out.

FAST FACTS

Renault Espace 2.2 D-T and dCi

Price: About £4,700 should get a ’98 R-reg RT-X, £8500 for an ’02 02-reg dCi Expression, or £17,000 for an ’04 04-reg Privilege.

Mechanical: 115 or later 140bhp, 2,186cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5 or 6spd manual gearbox

Max speed: 114mph

0-62mph: secs

Combined mpg: 31-39.

Insurance group: 13.

Marks out of 10: 9

Main rival: Ford Galaxy