The next Renault Scenic could return to being an MPV as the French carmaker seeks to revive some of the practicality and versatility that made the original such a hit.

Renault has confirmed that work is under way on a replacement for the current electric Scenic, with brand boss Fabrice Cambolive saying its interior should become “a bit more MPV”.

However, Renault does not intend to abandon the current model's SUV-influenced exterior, instead combining it with a more flexible interior inspired by previous Scenics.

Speaking to Electrifying at the Paris Motor Show, Cambolive said: “I think the next Scenic should take back control on the versatility of the car – interior versatility.”

Asked whether that meant becoming more like an MPV, he replied: “A bit more MPV from [the] inside. From [the] outside, I think that the work we've done with Scenic, in terms of design, is good, because the car has a good balance between an SUV feeling, but also aerodynamic, a high driving position, without being too high. I think the balance now is good.”

Renault caused a sensation with the original Megane Scenic in 1996, combining the interior practicality and flexibility previously associated with the groundbreaking Espace, in a car that had a similar footprint as the Megane hatchback. Successive Scenics (which lost the Megane name) continued this theme, before Renault made the current generation more SUV-like in both appearance and interior packaging. 

But Cambolive admitted the original Scenic remains the defining version of the car for him. “If I have to remember one Scenic, it's the first one,” he said. “The first one was a game changer.” He added: “The next one should get some DNA from the MPV in terms of modularity [and] interior. This is something which is very important for us.”

The next Scenic is also set to introduce more advanced cabin technology, with Cambolive pointing towards Renault's latest E-Space concept for clues about what is coming.In particular, he said its new control panel was “anticipating what you will find on the next Scenic generation”.

The Scenic will form part of Renault's next wave of new products, but it may not be the only model to revisit the company's long history with MPVs. Cambolive also confirmed that Renault is weighing up what to do with the Espace name following the unveiling of its latest concept. However, he stressed that no production version has yet been given the green light. “Espace is a question mark for us,” he said. “It's not a concrete project as of now.”

Renault currently has other priorities, with Cambolive saying the upcoming electric Trafic is a strategically important launch because of the van's contribution to volumes, profitability and French production. After that, attention will turn to replacing the Scenic and Rafale before Renault decides what comes next for Espace.

“We have to decide what will be the next Espace,” Cambolive said. “That's why we don't want to announce anything now.” Despite that caution, he made clear that the ingredients traditionally associated with Renault's MPVs remain attractive to the brand. “We like MPV, we like the flat floor, we like immersivity,’ he said. “We like panoramic roof... We like versatility in the seats. All the ingredients, all the brand markers from Renault are in this car.”