Renault Espace Range
For many, the Renault Espace is still the default large MPV and, in certain areas, its still the best, the French company leveraging its experience in building cars of this type to great effect. The latest range is less focused on the high-end models and therefore better value, though its still not that hot to drive in the face of challenges from the likes of Fords Galaxy.
When it comes to building large MPVs, Renault has effectively written the book on the art. Although it cant claim to have originated the people carrier, it has done more than any other manufacturer to populate Western Europe with the things, taking the Japanese model of borrowing somebody elses original idea and refining it to devastating effect. Since 1984, when the first Espace was launched, Renault has gradually edged the range upmarket to the extent where this model is seen as a real premium product. The rise of seven-seat MPVs that offer a lot more badge equity has seen this market rather shrivel of late and the 2007 Espace retrenches and takes the fight to the volume manufacturers with the focus on well-equipped, sensibly priced models and more efficient diesel powerplants.
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The big news is the addition of a pair of diesel engines that are now mated to butter-smooth six-speed automatic gearboxes produced by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Both are 2.0-litre dCi units and are available in either 150 or 175bhp power outputs and both feature FAP particulate filters. Renault claims that both of these engines are quicker and more economical than the Chrysler Voyager 2.
8 CRDs unit.
"If you liked last years Renault Espace, you wont find anything that grates here."
As before, its possible to buy the Espace in regular length, which is still hardly insubstantial, as well as a stretched Grand Espace model. Both cruise very nicely at speed, with excellent refinement, but are a little less composed if youre hustling through corners. Still, horses for courses and all that. You probably wouldnt expect a Lotus Exige to be much cop at driving the family to EuroDisney and back.
Given that the Espace was treated to a rather extensive facelift in 2006, Renault has wisely left well alone when it comes to exterior styling. At that juncture, it got a slimmer bumper and a simpler grille design. Swivelling Bi-Xenon headlights debuted and the rear lights were revised. One theme that was introduced with the 2006 car and carries on with latest version is a more restrained approach to technology and innovation.
Renault have, if anything, toned down their recent excess of novelty and have restored some normality to the Espace. Whereas the MKIII model was built around a radical spaceframe chassis with composite parts, the MKIV Espace instead opts for a more conventional steel monocoque platform shared with the Laguna. Only the wings and tailgate are now made of plastic composites, the doors and bonnet being fabricated in aluminium with a steel roof. The interior is as spacious as ever with plenty of space for seven.
Need more room? In return for increasing the size of your cheque to your Renault dealer by about £1,000 for a Grand Espace model, you get substantially more luggage space. Over 165 litres more to be exact when all the seats are in place, making a total of 456 litres which could make the difference between having to use a roof box or trailer and not having to bother. Should you be able to get ride of all the seats bar those at the front, the total carrying capacity rises to removal van standards, up by 190-litres to 3050-litres. As well as having revised the engine line up, Renault has performed some major surgery on the model range.
Out go the old Authentique and Expression trim levels, replaced by the current entry-level trim, dubbed Team. Above that are Dynamique, Dynamique S and the long-wheelbase-only Initiale. Team trim nets you dual zone air conditioning, seven individual seats, a CD stereo with eight speakers and fingertip controls, carbon cloth upholstery and multi adjustable Captains chairs with armrests. Move on up to the big selling Dynamique model and youll get 17" alloys, chrome door handles, chrome roof bars and the option of that 175bhp dCi diesel engine along with the 170bhp turbocharged petrol. Dynamique S effectively replaces the old Privilege trim and adds a six-disc CD changer with remote, leather/Alcantara sports seats, the hands-free Renault card entry, rain sensing wipers, cruise control and dusk sensing headlamps. If youve got the means to stretch to the range-topping Initiale model, which is only offered in long-wheelbase Grand Espace form, theres an additional front parking sensor, softer Vogue full leather upholstery, a 3D Bluetooth Nav Com system with a 6CD changer thats also MP3 compatible with remote control. With the 2.
0-litre 16v 140bhp petrol model in Team trim starting at £18,595, Renault look to have aced the opposition when it comes to value for money but closer inspection of the price lists shows that this is indeed the only Espace under £20,000. This is also the only petrol-engined Espace in Team trim and the emphasis is very much on diesel models (costing from £21,005) which tend to retain their value better when the time comes to sell. Cleanliness is next to godliness where modern diesels are concerned and the Espace dCi 175 is impressively clean. With the help of a maintenance-free periodic-regeneration particulate filter, which incinerates the soot its trapped at 570 degrees Celsius every 500 miles or so, the car comfortably meets Euro IV emissions regulations.
It also emits only 199g/km of CO2 a creditable performance for a vehicle that weighs in at over 1,800kg. A combined fuel economy figure of 34.4mpg for the 2.0-litre dCi FAP engine is not to be sniffed at either.
Go for one of the petrol-engined models and youll pay a lot more, with the Grand Espace 3.5 V6 Initiale costing a small fortune to run. If you liked last years Renault Espace, you wont find anything that grates here. The range has been made slightly easier to understand and there are more choices available to buyers of diesel-engined models at the budget end of the line up but aside from that.
its business as usual. This means that if you want the Definitive Article when it comes to large MPVs, the Renault is still the primo pick. Resting on laurels is not an option for Renault, though, and over the past couple of years the clear superiority the Espace used to justify its premium pricing has diminished. Ford in particularly has upped the ante and if the Blue Oval continues to improve at this rate, Renault will need to act and fast.
The gravy train has left the station and Renault is standing on the platform.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Renault Espace range
PRICES: £18,595-£33,460 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 187-292g/km
PERFORMANCE: [3.0 dCi] 0-60mph 10.4s / Max Speed 130mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [3.0 dCi] (urban) 21.2mpg/ (extra urban) 38.3mpg/ (combined) 29.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, full length curtain bags, lateral airbags, ABS with brake assist, ESP with CSV understeer control
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [Grand Espace] length/width/heightmm 4861/1860/1746
