This is the upcoming fifth generation Renault Espace, which was previewed at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show as the Renault Initiale Paris Concept.
As you can see, the Espace has undergone a big format change for its fifth iteration – it now rides a little higher like an SUV and looks more like a big crossover rather than a big van.
The current-gen Renault Espace has been around since 2002, and was even sold in Malaysia at one point for about RM290k. The morph to a crossover shape is apparently because Europe is losing interest in big passenger vans, so the new shape will help the Espace stay more relevant to market tastes.
The Espace will be the first Renault to sit on the new Renault Nissan CFM1 modular platform. Think of the CFM1 platform as the Renault Nissan Alliance’s answer to Volkswagen’s MQB platform. Nissan uses it for cars like the new X-Trail. The CFM1 platform will also be used to underpin future Renault models like the next generation Megane, Laguna and Koleos.
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Looks quite good, but a MPV should have easy access, especially for the elderly. So the seats shouldn’t be too high, not like in an SUV, and also not too low, like in a sedan. But if the seats are where they should be, all that children will see is door. They can’t look out of the windows. That doesn’t sound like a good idea. Also good luck to the driver when parking.
Also, am I the only one to find that the side profile looks disproportionate? The doors are huge, and most of it is metal. It lacks balance…
The focus seems to be too much on looks, too little on practicality/being a good family car.
Btw., how about the placement of the door handles. Aren’t they a bit high? Did Renault really forget that a MPV is to be used by FAMILIES, and families have kids?
A crossover’s ride height should be fine. I think there’s a little too much camouflage to tell how well the car looks as that pattern sort of scrambles the actual image of the car. I like how it looks like so far, however. Can’t really tell whether the rear doors are sliding ones or hinged ones.
rides a little higher like my innova
suddenly MPVs are all turning out sexy. GC4P and now this. I would expect the S-max to be a looker as well!
Damn…. A car that is neither here nor there…. Another GUANCHAI…
I think it’s a hinged door, because sliding door handle usually is in front the back door.