Photo: Renault
After a grandiose unveiling last year at the Paris Motor Show, we haven't heard much from Renault's new super-MPV, the Espace. That was until the automaker announced official pricing information and launched its online configurator.
Our fist reaction was total outrage, as even the most basic Espace in the base Life Energy dCi 130 version equipped with a manual transmission costs €34,200 in France. Gone are the days of cheap French cars, it seems, since a base BMW X3 costs €38,000 and the 3 Series is noticeably cheaper than the Espace.
But you have to consider how much is being offered. Standard equipment now includes 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, one-touch lowering for second- and third-row seats, along with an the new R-link 2 infotainment system featuring a 8.7-inch display.
We really couldn't resist playing with the online configurator a bit. A 130 horsepower 1.6 doesn't sound like enough for such a large vehicle, so we opted for the twin-turbo model with 160 hp, which comes as standard with an EDC6 twin-clutch gearbox. To get it looking like the car in the press photos, we also added the Initiale Paris trim level and the purple paint, bringing our total to €47,200. Auch!
The engine range should also include a 1.6-liter turbo petrol engine with 200 hp, exactly the same as the Clio RS. For now, it's not available, but thank to the company's press release we can tell that the gearbox has seven speeds, not six in this case, and that prices are actually about €1500 lower than with the diesel.
Unlike on the Clio and Twingo, the touchscreen is positioned vertically. We recommend the 2.8 square meter big Lumiere panoramic windscreen option, which seems cheap at only €1,100.
But you have to consider how much is being offered. Standard equipment now includes 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, one-touch lowering for second- and third-row seats, along with an the new R-link 2 infotainment system featuring a 8.7-inch display.
We really couldn't resist playing with the online configurator a bit. A 130 horsepower 1.6 doesn't sound like enough for such a large vehicle, so we opted for the twin-turbo model with 160 hp, which comes as standard with an EDC6 twin-clutch gearbox. To get it looking like the car in the press photos, we also added the Initiale Paris trim level and the purple paint, bringing our total to €47,200. Auch!
The engine range should also include a 1.6-liter turbo petrol engine with 200 hp, exactly the same as the Clio RS. For now, it's not available, but thank to the company's press release we can tell that the gearbox has seven speeds, not six in this case, and that prices are actually about €1500 lower than with the diesel.
What you're buying
The all-new espace is based on the brand new modular platform shared with cars like the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail. It measures 4.85 meters in length and 1.87 meters in width for both five and seven-seater configurations (it's an option).The 2015 Renault Espace is 63 mm lower than the current-generation Espace, standing 1.68 meters tall.Unlike on the Clio and Twingo, the touchscreen is positioned vertically. We recommend the 2.8 square meter big Lumiere panoramic windscreen option, which seems cheap at only €1,100.
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