2024 Renault Espace Debuts As SevenSeat SUV Replacement Of Iconic Minivan
The top end is called Esprit Alpine and comes with exclusive design tweaks.
The Espace, a true icon among minibuses, has been transporting families across Europe since 1984. It wasn't until 2002 that the fourth-generation model arrived as the first to be designed and built entirely by Renault, as the previous iteration was a joint effort. with Matrix. The Espace IV had a 13-year life cycle and was replaced in 2015 by a crossover-like model. Now in its sixth generation, it has essentially abandoned all of its minivan designations.
Basically, it's a long-wheelbase version of the Austral compact crossover, with a few minor styling tweaks. While cars tend to get bigger and add weight, the new Espace bucks the trend, being 5.5 inches (14 cm) shorter and 474 pounds (215 kg) lighter than the van it replaces. It's also installed 1.25 inches (32 mm) lower and has a roomier third row, but you also only get it with five seats.
Cargo space, accessible via the power tailgate, ranges from 5.6 cubic feet (159 L) with all seven seats up to 64.2 cubic feet (1,818 L) in a five-seat configuration with the second row folded. Renault claims a volume of 27.4 cubic feet (777 L) available on the five-seat model when the rear seats are moved forward. An additional 39 liters of storage space is available throughout the cabin for small items.
To make the cabin look more spacious, customers can choose a 1.33 x 0.84 meter solid glass roof. Wheel sizes are either 19in or 20in depending on trim level, with the high-end Esprit Alpine rims sitting above the mid-range Techno and Icon bases. Even the cheapest has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch touchscreen, while the 9.3-inch screen costs more. Your devices will never run out of power, as there are two USB-C ports per line along with a wireless charging pad and a pair of 12V power points.
Like the Austral, the new Espace is not available with a diesel engine. Alternatively, there is a mid-range SUV with a 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine or a full hybrid with two electric motors. The three-cylinder engine produces 131 horsepower and 205 Nm of torque, while the main electric motor produces 68 horsepower and 205 Nm. The second electric motor acts as a generator with 25 hp and 50 Nm of power. Overall, according to Renault, the driver has 199 horsepower.
© Motor1.com 2024 Renault Espace 
© Motor1.com 2024 Renault EspaceBy introducing a hybrid powertrain, the French brand claims to have reduced fuel consumption by 40 percent to 4.7 l/100 km with CO2 emissions of 105 g/km. Because efficiency comes first and people don't look for performance in minivans, you won't be setting records on the Nürburgring with the new Espace. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds and has a top speed of 175 km/h.
Apart from the more advanced multi-link rear suspension, the Espace has another advantage over most of the mainstream SUVs in its class. It has rear steering to reduce the turning radius to 10.4m like the Clio. It would be 11.6 meters without this system which throws the rear wheels away from the front wheels by up to five degrees at speeds of up to 50 km/h. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels to a more stable point.
Renault will start taking orders for the new Espace this spring. It is not the only minivan that has become an SUV, as Scenic will follow in 2024, but exclusively as an electric vehicle.
Source: Renault
