1997 Renault Espace Photos, engines & full specs

Renault introduced the third generation of its flagship MPV, the Espace, in late 1996 as a 1997 model year, and it was more than an evolution for the French minivan; it was a revolution.

While the first generation was just a mundane family hauler and the second generation was more of a heavily revised version of that, the third generation was no longer just a people carrier. It was already a benchmark in the European MPV segment. Moreover, it was also available as a luxury vehicle. It became a competitor for premium sedans in terms of comfort and amenities.

Created during the peak times of the bio-design trend, the Espace sported organic shapes and lines. Its curved lines and soft edges made it look friendly to its customers. Even though its front side was short and sloped, and the broad windshield followed the same line as the hood, it didn't look like a utility vehicle anymore. In addition, the aerodynamically profiled door mirrors were something that most of its competitors still needed to provide. The car's gigantic tailgate was stretched to the max but featured cut-outs for the taillights.

Inside, it was roomier than any other Renault vehicle. It provided ample leg- and headroom for all passengers, especially in the five-seat version. The high-mounted front seats featured individual armrests. With its instrument panel placed in the middle of the dashboard, close to the windshield, there was no way that other occupants couldn't clearly read the speedometer. That was displayed with amber numbers on an LCD. In the back, there were three individual seats that could've been folded, moved, or reclined. They also provided vast room for their passengers.

Under the hood, Renault installed a choice of gasoline or turbo-diesel engines, ranging from a mundane 98 PS (97 hp) to a healthy 194 PS (188 hp) provided by a 3.0-liter V6.