First ride: Renault sets the Espace deeper

New Espace as a crossover in a new segment between SUV and VAN

With the 5th generation of the Espace, Renault wants to bring the vehicle positioned as a van to the market as a crossover. For this purpose, a specially created segment was created. The new seven-seater is to be positioned between the SUV and the VAN. Renault presented the luxurious crossover to its customers in May. The vehicle, which was introduced as a people carrier in 1984, has sold around 1,2 million units to date and is now intended to convince the buyers of the classic SUV.

When Renault introduced the Espace more than 30 years ago, the 1st generation still came as an MPV. Only in the course of time, with the introduction of the VAN segment and changed customer requirements, did the Espace "grow up". As a vehicle with a lot of space in the interior and seven individual seats, it was always at the top of this segment. While in the 2nd generation (from 1991) the body was lengthened a little to provide more space, a long version "Grand Espace" was introduced for the first time with the 3rd generation (from 1996). With the 4th generation since 2003, even more safety combined with ten airbags was introduced.

The engineers from France wanted to offer a high level of safety, driving pleasure and reliability in Espace with its flexible skills. In doing so, they also gave themselves the task that a VAN should not only be defined by the large number of applications, but should generally offer its users stress-free driving over long distances and under difficult conditions. We were able to find out whether this was successful during a first test drive around the Nürburgring with the Espace and its engines. He's rocking a bit in the corners, but that's because of his size. He's not an athlete either, he doesn't have to, because the casual way of walking is much better for the Frenchman anyway.

The engine range includes a gasoline engine and two diesel units. The 1.6 liter diesel we drive provides us with 118 kW (160 hp). This seems a little bit less with an empty weight of around 1.7 tons, but with a torque of 380 Newton meters at 4.000 revolutions we are quickly compensated. Unfortunately we could not reach the top speed of approx. 202 km / h, but we came very close to the specified combination value of 4,7 liters. The six-speed dual clutch transmission works very precisely.

With three engines, the drive on the Espace remains clear. In addition to another 1.6 liter diesel with 96 kW (130 hp) and six-speed manual transmission is a 2.0 liter petrol engine with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. All three engines are four-cylinder units.

With the new Espace, like in its predecessors, we climb into a bright and very friendly interior. The 2,8 square meter windscreen brings a lot of light into the vehicle. The driver and front passenger as well as the passengers in the rear have more than enough space. Equipped with wide headrests, the front seats in the top equipment can be adjusted 10-fold, eight of them electrically with memory function and massage function in the backrest. In the second row there are three comfortable single seats. The seven-seater also has two additional individual seats in the rear. The modular "one-touch folding" function allows the seats in the two rear rows to be sunk into the floor individually or at the same time from the driver's seat with the standard Renault R-Link 2 online multimedia system. Nevertheless, the two seats are emergency seats and serve as an additional option for accommodation, if necessary, for short trips with friends. The luggage compartment volume in the seven-seater is up to 680 liters when loaded up to the window edge. If the rear seats are sunk into the floor, the loading capacity increases to 2.035 liters when loaded up to the roof.

A high-tech TFT display, which informs the driver of all vehicle and trip data, has a certain high-tech character. The French carmaker also offers a head-up display that projects driving-related information such as the current speed, speed limits and navigation recommendations directly into the driver's field of vision. In addition to the basic equipment, Renault offers an independent center console in a futuristic design as standard. It contains important operating and control elements.

The multi-sense system developed by Renault is used for the first time in the fifth generation of Espace. With its help, the driver can individually determine both the driving experience and the ambience in the Espace. The system has four programmed settings for this: "Eco", "Comfort", "Neutral" and "Sport". Added to this is the freely configurable "perso" mode. In addition to the response behavior of the accelerator pedal and steering, the speed of the gear change and the damper hardness, the interior lighting, color and display of the instruments, engine sound and air conditioning can also be programmed.

Another highlight for the crossover is the Espace's 4CONTROL dynamic all-wheel steering. From a driving speed of 50 km / h in the "Comfort" drive program ("Neutral" mode: 60 km / h; "Sport" mode: 70 km / h), the rear wheels steer in the same direction as that with a steering angle of up to two degrees Front wheels, which has a positive effect on driving stability. Below 50 km / h, the rear wheels turn at a maximum of 3,5 degrees in the opposite direction to the front axle. This reduces the turning circle.

We find a wide range of radar and camera-based assistance systems in the Espace. Starting with the Intens equipment, these include the safety distance warning device, emergency brake assistant and blind spot warning device. There are also lane departure warning systems, traffic sign recognition with a speed warning system and high-beam assistant. An adaptive cruise control system is available as an option.

And finally ...

With an entry-level price of € 33.550, the Renault Espace sends a clear signal that luxury and comfort are also available at moderate prices.

Renault Espace ENERGY dCi 160 EDC:

Photos in the article: Stefan Beckmann Cover photo: Stefan Beckmann