Renault Espace: robust, elegant and innovative

The latest generation of the Renault Espace undergoes a transformation that allows it to enter the field of Large SUVs, with a new image and technical innovations. It has a length of 4.86 meters and a capacity of seven seats, although the two of the third row are not so wide. In any case, it is very practical for family use, as were the previous generations.

30 years ago, Renault broke many schemes of European cars with the launch of the Espace, the first minivan that gave birth to a new family of cars of very functional character, in which the space it was the main argument of his success. Then came other factors that pleased users, such as the highest position of the driver and the passengers and their modularity capacity to adapt to the needs of each trip. In a short time, each possible size of the touring car models had its corresponding MPV, with the same configuration, that is, body higher than a conventional relative and without a clear separation of the front with the rest of the body.

Later the cars that we named SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle, in its acronym in English) appeared, which offered the possibility of circulate on roads, with more or less off-road appearance and with all-wheel drive. Now him new Espace mixes qualities of both types and offers a car with MPV appearance, with more height on the ground as the SUV, large wheels and stylized side design, to create a new concept, even for its luxurious interior It comes close to the advantages of a performance saloon.

Its design, which keeps some signs of identity of the previous model, is much more attractive. In addition to its powerful frontal, it attracts attention size of the wheels and the dynamic side, along with the front and rear lights that have an original identification signature.

Aeronautical Inspiration

So surprising or more is its interior, with a environment that has been inspired by the world of aeronautics. The design of the dashboard recalls the wing of an airplane and the gear lever, to one of its controls. In front of the driver and so that you do not take your eyes off the road, the viewfinder Head-up Display It projects on the windshield the most important information about the car and navigation.

It is also original touch screen, that works like a tablet and that in this car has been placed in an upright position. In it it is possible to zoom with your fingers, pass pages, drag, etc., and control, through R-Link, the whole system Multi-sense of the car, how the operation of four wheels guidelines, 4 control, or piloted cushioning, steering assistance, engine response or passing laws of the gearbox EDC, or the luminous atmosphere inside the interior, the sound of the engine and a host of parameters, so that the driver can choose a Modulable driving experience according to your tastes.

You can even activate the modularity one-touch, for knock down each of the five seats of the second and third row or all at once, whatever the position of the headrest and always leaving a flat floor. Actually it is a Complete control center for all systems and equipment of the car and they are many, with a very intuitive operation.

One of these equipment is the sound, developed with the Bose brand, with Surround, twelve speakers and a digital treatment, to offer a perfect sound, that even has internal microphones that detect annoying noises, to attenuate them, or when we initiate a conversation or there is a message from the browser lowers the volume of the audio.

The nNew Espace is in the market since last May 22, with a very simple and structured range around three engines, a TCe gasoline mechanic of 200 horses and two diesel dCi of 130 horses and EDC of double turbo of 160 horses. These two diesel engines do not exceed the limit of 120g / km of CO2 emissions, which ensures the complete exemption of the registration tax in Spain.

DATA SHEET
Engines: Petrol TCe 1.6 of 200 HP. Diésel dCi 1.6 of 130 and 160 HP
Transmission: 6 speed manual in 130 CV and automatic EDC of 7 vel. in gas. and 6 vel. in diesel 160 HP.
Brakes: Disks, the ventilated forwards.
Address: Variable electric assistance.
Benefits: Maximum speed, from 191 to 211km / h.
Long wide high: 4.86 / 1.88 / 1.67 meters
Capacities: Trunk 247/680 / 2,035 liters.
Prices: From € 29,350 to € 42,950, with promotional discounts.

Francisco del Brío - Journalist and founder of Newsmotor