Renault Unveils Sixth Generation Espace as a Seven-Seat SUV to Replace the Iconic Minivan

Renault has unveiled the sixth generation of its iconic Espace model, which is now a seven-seat SUV replacement for the previous minivan, and boasts a shorter length, a lighter weight, a spacious third row, and a hybrid powertrain.

The Espace IV had a 13-year lifecycle and was replaced in 2015 with a more crossover-like version. Now all connections with the minivan are finally cut and the new Espace is essentially a long-wheelbase version of the Austral compact crossover with some minor design changes.

Contrary to the trend of growing in size and weight, the new Espace is 14 centimeters shorter and 215 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. The SUV also features a more spacious third row and can be purchased with only five seats as well. The cargo area is accessible via a power tailgate and ranges from 159 liters with all seven seats in place to 1,818 liters in the five-seat configuration with the second row folded. Renault also mentions a volume of 777 liters is available in the five-seat model when the rear seats are pushed all the way forward. Additionally, the cabin has an extra 39 liters of storage for smaller items. To make the cabin feel even more spacious, customers can opt for a massive glass roof measuring 1.33 x 0.84 meters.

The range-topping Esprit Alpine trim is positioned above the base Techno and midlevel Iconic trims. Even the base Techno model has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch touchscreen, while a 9.3-inch head-up display costs extra. The SUV also has two USB-C ports for each row, a wireless charging pad, and a pair of 12V sockets for device charging.

The new Espace has a turbocharged 1.3-liter gasoline engine as a full hybrid with a pair of electric motors, instead of a diesel engine. The three-cylinder unit produces 131 horsepower and 205 Newton-meters of torque, while the main electric motor is rated at 68 hp and 205 Nm. The second e-motor works as the starter generator with 25 hp and 50 Nm. Combined, the new Espace has 199 hp. Renault claims that the hybrid powertrain has reduced fuel consumption by as much as 40 percent to 4.7 liters / 100 km, with corresponding CO2 emissions of 105 g/km. The new Espace can reach a maximum speed of 175 km/h and does 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds.

The Espace features a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, and a rear-wheel steering system that reduces the turning circle to a Clio-like 10.4 meters. Without this system, the turning circle would be 11.6 meters. The rear wheels steer up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels at speeds of up to 50 km/h, and at higher speeds, the rear wheels steer at up to one degree in the same direction as the front ones, which improves stability.

Renault will begin taking orders for the new Espace this spring.

Source: Renault