Driving like God in France, on the way in the new Renault Espace
The French have staying power. That shows in everything they do. So is the new Renault Espace carefully thought out and shows in curvy garb. It should be beautiful and functional. That promised the French for the next coup around their Großraumlimousine. At a military airport in Provence, a few journalists wanted to take a closer look. An entire armada of new vehicles glittered in the sun waiting to be explored. Unfortunately, Kevin Spacey was not present, but you do not really need it if you want to test the 4,86 meter long van.
The first impression is good. Elegant and fluid design, modern curvy front section, aerodynamic silhouette. And still Renault. A touch of SUV character blows him and gives him the certain sportiness. 160 mm ground clearance also allows him a bit far. The typical C-shaped headlights wink invitingly and also from behind the Renault Espace can be seen. The taillights give a strong overall impression. Yes, even a back can just delight. Especially that of this racy French. A look inside reveals what the exterior already suggests: here there is free space en masse. Seven seats, of which the rear five fold at the push of a button at the same time, invite you to travel comfortably. It only becomes problematic when the child safety device switches on and you can no longer get out of the rear vehicle compartment. It helps to have a travel companion who gallantly opens the door.
Target recorded
It gets futuristic behind the wheel. When the engine is started, the head-up display extends like a fighter jet with a target display. The dashboard is full of displays, of which the touch display in the middle takes up the largest space. The so-called Command & Control Center is modeled on a tablet and can also be operated that way. You swipe through the navigation in a “touchy” way and can open up to four apps at the same time. These sometimes make strange noises, such as the radar detector. The menu navigation also takes a little getting used to, as it is not always clear how you actually get back to your starting point. But with a little practice this can be learned quickly. The multisense system has 10 parameters ready for the driver. Five that are aimed at driving comfort and five that are aimed at driver comfort. So an all-round feel-good package for the driver. If he wants, even with a massage function in both the driver and front passenger seats.
Renault promises more stability and safety while driving with its new system. Here, the Ambibeleuchtung always shows in which mode you are currently. In sport mode, held in a strong red, the suspension is immediately tightened and the gears shift up much later than, for example, in comfort mode (held in a relaxed blue). In order to increase driving dynamics as well, the Renault Espace 5 has slimmed down a proud 250 kilogram compared to its predecessor. In addition, the French have missed him the gearshift technique from the formula 1, in which Renault celebrates many years of success. The Renault Espace shows itself with the like a golf club shaped gear knob, which already switches by a tap of the finger into the next gear. A little too easy. There is simply no sticking in the aisle anymore. But that would be superfluous to the elegant Renault Espace. He would rather be petted and driven relaxed through the streets of France.
Individual cruising
This can be done well with the dCi 160 Diesel. Nice 160 PS make it possible to navigate the big ones comfortably on the beautiful country roads and avenues. All the mandatory assistance systems help, with a little need for adjustment here and there. Like the Lane Departure Assistant, for example, who sounds like the sound system is starting to jump out the door angrily. The traffic sign assistant, on the other hand, seems to be in relaxation mode and reacts extremely late to new traffic signs. Nevertheless, thanks to the multisense technology, the new Renault Espace 5 offers plenty of customization options with regard to driving behavior, so that every driver gets his money's worth. With 4 Control, the active steering of all wheels, provides even more stability and comfort while driving. This technology also comes into play in the current Porsche 991. With the right multisense setting, you can immediately see what a wonderful combination it is: the turning circle is significantly reduced, what is perfect for city traffic and in terms of vehicle size. Hats off!
The dashing French can be bought for as little as 34.000 euros. If you want a little more French chicness, you should take a closer look at the initials Paris version. It gets really classy here. The special paintwork shines either purple or black, depending on the incidence of light, and the spokes of the exclusive rims on 19-inch tires are reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower. Oh la la! The decadence continues in the interior. Soft nappa leather hugs the passengers and the Bose sound system plays relaxed music. If you want to let the French sun in, you should treat yourself to the optional sun canopy. It can be automatically opened up to half of the roof to let in the warm summer breeze.
Conclusion
Tres jolie, as the old French say. The Renault Espace has everything you need in a full-size sedan. And the best thing: Here you get more than a good price-performance ratio. Other vans in the segment are either more expensive or smaller. Since Renault has created a very good combination, which should not only inspire every family man. Here you get a vehicle with the certain "more" and the extra in terms of sportiness as the icing on the cake even more. Voila!
Driving Report / Photos: Simone Amores
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