Europe’s best-selling compact minivan, the Renault Scenic and its bigger, seven-seat Grand Scenic sibling, have received a minor facelift for the 2012 model year.

Both models sport a new front end with LED daytime running lights and gloss black features, chrome details up front, on the profile and the tailgate strip, redesigned rear lights on the five-seat Scenic and a different lower air intake design and longitudinal roof bars for the Grand Scenic.

Under the hood, two new diesel “Energy” units have been added to the engine line-up. The first is the dCi 110 which is 12 percent more fuel efficient than the previous unit returning a combined figure of 4.1 lt/100 km (57.3 mpg US)with CO2 emissions of 105 g/km.

The new dCi 130’s 4.4 lt/100 km (53.4 mpg US) consumption marks an even more impressive 20% reduction compared to the outgoing 1.9 dCi 130. Its CO2 emissions are 114 g/km.

Next spring, a brand-new turbocharged petrol engine, the TCe 115, will be added to the Scenic/Grand Scenic range. According to Renault, this engine consumes 20% less fuel than the current 110HP 1.6-liter unit it will replace.

The interior has also received minor modifications, including a different beige trim for the Expression and Privilege/Initiale versions and a dark charcoal trim for the Privilege Initiale.

There is also new upholstery and an optional leather/Alcantara package, while the higher-end Bose Edition that was launched in limited numbers in the 2011 model year now becomes a regular equipment level on the 2012 MY Scenic.

The updated versions of Renault’s compact MPV are the first models of the French carmaker to feature the Visio System. It uses a camera to control a lane departure warning system and an automatic headlight function that detects lights of nearby functions and adjusts the lights’ beam accordingly.

Ordering books for the 2012MY Scenic and Grand Scenic opened today, with prices starting from €21,350 for the Scenic and €24,850 Grand Scenic. Renault’s updated minivans will initially be available in Europe from January 2012 followed by other markets shortly after.

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