Photo: SB-Medien
The Renault Espace is one of the few MPV to survive the SUV invasion. However, even the futuristic model launched in 2015 needs a redesign to keep up.
These are the latest spyshots of the model they will likely unveil in 2020 at the Geneva Motor Show, or perhaps even sooner. It's been undergoing testing for over a year, and only now are we seeing the big exhaust pipe sticking out the back, which is usually a sign of emissions testing for a new engine.
The Espace range has already been updated with some cool new engines, like a 2-liter diesel that goes to 200 horsepower or a 1.8L turbo with 225 HP, just 25 short of the version in the Alpine. So we believe this particular prototype has to be some kind of hybrid.
Like most European automakers, Renault has to lower its emissions as much as possible and to do that, they've promised to launch about two dozen hybrids, plug-ins or EVs by the middle of next decade. It's already starting with the new Zoe, the Clio, and the Captur.
Since this prototype doesn't appear to have any extra charging ports (though it could be under the front badge), we should be dealing with a normal hybrid here. Since this is a pretty large car, it would need a suitably sized engine. It could be a turbo, such as the 1.3L, but our money is on the 2-liter unit sister brand Samsung uses on many of its models in Korea.
In fact, you can find a 2-liter hybrid system on the Nissan X-Trail as well, though only in a few markets. The displacement is pretty common: Honda CR-V, Toyota Corolla, Kia, Hyundai, etc.
The cosmetic refresh is pretty cool as well. At the front, we have brand new LED projectors, some geometric elements around the lower bumper and a new grille. And at the back, the taillights now stretch halfway onto the quarter panels. The interior wasn't shot but should have a new layout as well.
The Espace range has already been updated with some cool new engines, like a 2-liter diesel that goes to 200 horsepower or a 1.8L turbo with 225 HP, just 25 short of the version in the Alpine. So we believe this particular prototype has to be some kind of hybrid.
Like most European automakers, Renault has to lower its emissions as much as possible and to do that, they've promised to launch about two dozen hybrids, plug-ins or EVs by the middle of next decade. It's already starting with the new Zoe, the Clio, and the Captur.
Since this prototype doesn't appear to have any extra charging ports (though it could be under the front badge), we should be dealing with a normal hybrid here. Since this is a pretty large car, it would need a suitably sized engine. It could be a turbo, such as the 1.3L, but our money is on the 2-liter unit sister brand Samsung uses on many of its models in Korea.
In fact, you can find a 2-liter hybrid system on the Nissan X-Trail as well, though only in a few markets. The displacement is pretty common: Honda CR-V, Toyota Corolla, Kia, Hyundai, etc.
The cosmetic refresh is pretty cool as well. At the front, we have brand new LED projectors, some geometric elements around the lower bumper and a new grille. And at the back, the taillights now stretch halfway onto the quarter panels. The interior wasn't shot but should have a new layout as well.
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