2015 Renault Espace Has a Clio RS 200 Horsepower Engine

To boot, the same seven-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission is mated to it, ensuring brisk gear shifting and instant kickdown when you're trying to pass a slow coach on the motorway… with a Renault Espace to boot. But that's not the end of the goodies list for the spirited people carrier driver.

Multi-Sense attunes the driving experience

In addition to the previously mentioned petrol, two 1.6 turbo diesels are available for the economy-oriented driver. Starting with a 1.6-liter dCi 130 EDC producing 130 ponies and 320 Nm of torque sent to the wheels via a six-speed manual, the lineup continues with a similar 1.6-liter dCi, but with 160 horsepower and 380 Nm on tap. That being said, let's get down to this curious Multi-Sense business.

What Renault calls Multi-Sense is basically a device that controls and coordinates parameters of the EDC automatic transmission, engine, electronic damping, engine sound and 4Control chassis, as well as the interior ambient lighting and driver instruments.

The driver can make changes to the aforementioned by fiddling with a rotary control on the centre console a la BMW iDrive or through the R-Link 2 infotainment system's touchscreen display. I guess you're not that interested in the way the interior lighting changes color and how the instrument cluster gets red when you set things into sport, so let's cover the important stuff controlled by Multi-Sense.

4Control chassis is French for four-wheel steering

Yup, these Frenchies really make everything sound so romantic. This four-wheel steering system controls the angle of the rear wheels for improved agility when doing a three-point turn or parallel parking. Available settings for the entire Multi-Sense array of features include Eco, Comfort, Neutral and Sport. Oh my, it's the first all-new Renault Espace in eons and we've covered its sporty side without even mentioning a thing about the fact that it's a seven-seater MPV.

Although it has pronounced wheel arches, modern exterior design cues and an interior so snazzy you'd think you're inside a vodka bar, this Renault Espace can be had with large-diameter wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches and a four-part 2.8 square meter big Lumiere panoramic windscreen incorporating a fixed glass roof over the front seats. A panoramic roof will be offered shortly after launch as an option.

Measuring 4.85 meters in length and 1.87 meters in width for both five and seven-seater configurations, the 2015 Renault Espace is 63 mm lower than the current-generation Espace, standing 1.68 meters tall. But the occupants don't care about those sizes. What is important for comfort on the inside is how long the wheelbase is. And we're happy to announce the new Espace is 16 mm longer than the outgoing Renault Grand Espace with its 2.88 meters of wheelbase.

Pretty neat. Anything else worth highlighting?

Of course! This French showcase of what families of seven need to have benefits from full LED headlights offered as standard across the lineup of trim levels, as well as a range of nine exterior finishes: the non-metallic Glacier White and other eight metallic hues ranging from Cassiopee Grey (pictured) to Amethyste Black, with the latter offered exclusively on the range-topping Initale Paris variant.

Nevermind the floating center console because the 8.7-inch R-Link 2 media system is the real interior highlight here, aside from the wacky French styling cues and ergonomics. For the first time ever in a Renault, the tablet-like R-Link infotainment system is positioned vertically, a la the Tesla Model S all-electric luxury sedan and the Volvo XC90 mid-size luxury sports utility vehicle.

Last but not least, this family-oriented model can fold the second row of individual seats and the third row of seats flat into the floor for a total load space capacity of about 2,000 liters. To boot, both rows of passenger seats can be folded by pressing a button in the luggage compartment or by operating the R-Link infotainment system. Did we mention the 2015 Renault Espace is also the first Renault to adopt a surround sound 12-speaker Bose audio system? Your move, 2015 Ford S-Max...