When the very first Renault Espace came out, it was an innovation. A piece of automotive history that could only be written in France. Long before the volume manufacturers in the German market thought of “Vans”, there was the Espace from Renault. That was thirty years ago. The first generation was followed by the second, the third and, with the exception of the change in construction, not much has changed. An Espace can be recognized immediately.

The fourth generation of the Espace has been on the market since 2002 and despite the four facelift measures, the last with optical retouching in June 2012 (phase IV), this is a particularly long model cycle. With the change in 2002 Renault switched the production of the Espace from a steel chassis with a plastic structure to a classic, self-supporting sheet steel body. The reward for the work was five out of five stars in the Euro-NCAP crash test. In contrast, the first models had a body made of multi-layer polyester instead of sheet metal. That helped to keep the weight of the 5 + 2 seat low. The first generation of the Espace only weighed around 1.200 kilograms. The weight of the current series currently starts at around 1.850 kilograms.

1.170 sold Espace 2013

If a classic of automotive history does not even sell 100 vehicles monthly under the label of a volume manufacturer, then something has to go wrong. The Espace found in Germany in the year 2013 only 1.170 buyers. For example, a Ford S-Max shone with vehicles sold to 8.900. But the Renault is the original. So what's wrong?

Time for a vehicle check

The Renault Espace in the driving report

The Grand Espace is impressive just because of its sheer size. He stands on the street with an impressive presence. Renault has that Grand Espace dCi 175 with automatic in the best equipment version initial sent to the test. The “Glanz und Gloria flagship model” of the Espace series and my anticipation are correspondingly great. It is also the first contact with a Renault test car. But already at the takeover I struggled with the worldview of the French.

The first contact

The Grand Espace is no longer with 4.85 meters than a current E-Class from Mercedes, but the van body with nearly 1 meter 90 width and almost 1 meter 80 height does not miss its effect. What the Espace holds in the interior, can impress. But where are the instruments? Where the radio?

The first contact with the Espace ensures eye-opening experiences. As a French automobile manufacturer, you probably just have to break the conventions. The speedometer - placed in the mouse cinema - is enthroned in the center of the dashboard, far from the usual place. Next to it is a colorful navigation system, which shows how late it first entered the Espace. Already the first contact confuses. The speedometer with its LCD elements from the 80s and next to it the retrofitted navigation system. This does not go together and deepens the first confusion. The cockpit itself is stingy with information, at least with what it reveals at first glance. The six-segment display for the speed, a small graphic bar for the speed and a field for the on-board computer. In addition, two small columns for the water temperature and the tank content. It just has to be different from other cars - that was probably the announcement when you started developing the Espace. The cockpit also felt this.

Renault uses the unusual cockpit arrangement for practical shelves. At least in part. The two storage compartments directly in front of the displays are theoretically really practical for smartphones or cigarette packs. But in everyday life you probably use this only for small stuff that you want to forget. The usual plastic chips for shopping carts, old sweets from the last carnival and condoms with expired expiration date. Because the two subjects are beyond the reach of a normal person. Just get the cell phone out there, not even funny for the passenger.

The practical stucco remains under the dashboard. One of them is in front of the passenger's knee and a double version is where other cars start with the center console. In addition, a compartment remains behind the piano lacquer coated front panel in front of the automatic selector lever. Practically. But where are the cupholders? The Espace is the ideal travel car for the family, as cup holders are available? No? Strange. But the Frenchman, he probably does not drink in the car. He will not smoke, because he does not come to his cigarettes.

What about driving?

The two-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel shows off 173 HP and 360 Newton meters. It transfers its power to the optional six-speed automatic transmission and from there it migrates to the front axle. The handling of the electric parking brake is a little unusual. Pull the lever and press the small button at the same time, then the electric parking brake is released. It also does this automatically when starting off, but never without an unpleasant jerk. The rest is quickly told. The diesel engine remains a gentleman as long as it is not overly challenged. Driven with a light throttle, the engine and automatic transmission work together sensitively. The diesel engine pushes the large van across the street relatively early in sixth gear. Relaxed gliding - travel without hectic pace. The steering also recommends this. In the middle position, this reacts a little unmotivated, in order to fulfill the wish for a change of direction later on. Harmonious? No.

Test-Consumption:

6,7

l / 100 km
[/one_third] [one_third]Everyday round of testing:

7,6

l / 100 km
[/one_third] [one_third last=last]Maximum test round:

12,7

l / 100 km
[/ one_third]

While gliding over the highway - Tempo 130 turns out to be perfect, the diesel then hums hardly audibly, while fuel consumption remains within limits (7.4 liters / 100 km) - so while gliding along the highway, the French Looking for driving comfort, your eyes wander through the interior. Double seams on the dashboard. Piano lacquer. Seats with armrests. And this much space. Stop - Fabric seams on the dashboard? It feels like it's made of plastic. The look, however, promises a fine ambience made from animal skins. The dizziness flies as soon as you open the doors at the next fuel stop and look at the end of the dashboard there. Plastic. Plastic. Through and through. Nothing was sewn there. The elegant leather seam was simply driven into the plastic. Incomprehensible.

The little bird on board

As an autoblogger, I've gotten used to looking deeper into the plate at the test car. There should be automotive manufacturers whose test cars have the serial models only the name in common. Since doors are insulated, sports tires raised for more grip, engines suddenly have significantly more power. What I'm not used to is negligence.

When I took over the Grand Espace, I was amazed at the gaps in the tailgate. While the right side ended flush with the bumper, the left side protruded a good centimeter. Rather unusual for a press test car. But the interior of the Grand Espace was also exciting.

In principle, there was no ride without discovering new sounds. Sometimes it squeaked out of the area of ​​the B-pillar, sometimes the two covers in the dashboard rattled to the bet. Then again a soft chirping while idling at the traffic light. In principle, it was never really quiet in Grand Espace.

47.840 € - space shuttle with extra

I can not stay behind the mountain with my opinion. The Grand Espace has massively disappointed me.

Now the Grand Espace is offering an extremely large amount of car for its money for € 47.840. You will hardly find a more spacious five-seater. Seats 6 and 7 cost an extra charge, alternatively the Grand Espace can also be ordered as a six-seater. There is also extensive equipment that includes xenon light as well as keyless go and the navigation system. Especially as an initial, the Grand Espace is an “all-inclusive” offer. And the 173 hp diesel engine pulls the not exactly light van neatly forward. A top speed of 198 km / h is also specified for the automatic variant.

And finally ...

Dhe quality is not right!

The Espace could be a wonderful van and I'm sure - the resale prices and sales would be better if the Espace weren't so carelessly put together. There is a lack of real attention to detail. There is a lack of real facelift. This cockpit from the 80s alone. The cruise control is switched on at the height of the driver's knee, the air conditioning controls have been packed into the door panels. The price of “being different” is just too high. Yet the talents of the Grand Espace are visible.

The Espace is to get in the not too distant future a successor, who then on the CMF platform from Renault-Nissan is, so my current information. It remains to be hoped that this new Espace will reflect at Renault. Quality over difference. The Renault motto: “Is space not the real luxury” remains to be noted: Quality and comfort are elementary components, without which even the largest room is no luxury.

Summary:

Positive:

The Grand Espace is the “space-travel sedan” that invented this segment. The space available on the Grand in the five-seater version is only approximately correctly described as “princely”.

Negative:

The test car gives the impression of poor workmanship. Noise, chirping, rattling and the like are always present in principle. The fit of the tailgate was faulty. The headlights had been started from the inside in two days.

The Renault Grand Espace dCi 175 was automatically tested over a distance of almost 1.200 kilometers. The test car was provided by Renault Germany. The costs are borne by Renault Germany.

Technical data:

For download, the evaluation form: Test vehicle rating Renault Espace