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STORY
May 2014
RENAULT ESPACE: 30 YEARS OF INNOVATION
Four generations of Espace together ©Damien Charles
With sales totalling more than 1,245,000 units over the model’s four
generations, Renault Espace is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
For three decades, this ground-breaking model has been a familiar sight on our
roads and has seen a long list of other vehicles – large and small – follow in its
innovative wake.
True, its career didn’t get off to the best of starts, on either the production or
sales fronts. Indeed, like many pioneering concepts which go on to become the
accepted norm, it took some time for Espace to find its slot in the market. Yet it
ended up creating a brand new segment covering roomy, modular vehicles with
the performance credentials of a grand tourer.
Espace soon succeeded in carving out a durable place for itself thanks to its
originality and rich equipment package, to the extent that the model and concept
ultimately became a generic name for this type of vehicle.
Renault Espace has consistently improved and evolved. Today, it stands out as
a truly exceptional vehicle, with no real equivalent on the market.
We take a look back at Renault Espace’s career and its different evolutions
thanks to a collection of technical specifications, photos and illustrations
published to cover the model’s different versions since 1984.
Communication Department
Renault Press contact : Bruno Hernandez + 33 1 76 84 63 42. www.media.renault.com & www.renault.com
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RENAULT ESPACE I
PHASE 1: 1984-1988 – PHASE 2: 1988-1991
A PIONEER
© Renault Communication & Marketing
The idea of seven people travelling in comfort together in the same car of a
length of just 4.25m – with each passenger having their own individual seat laid
out in three rows – was unthinkable before 1984. But that’s exactly what Renault
Espace brought motorists, in addition to its outstanding performance credentials
(more than 175kph in circuit use).
In brief:
Renault project codename: J11.
Launched: June 1984.
Total production: 191,674.
Factories: the Matra factory in Romorantin, France, and the Alpine factory in Dieppe,
France (an additional facility from 1988).
Dimensions: Length: 4.25m (Phase 1 petrol), then 4.36m (Phase 2) / Width: 1.78m /
Height: between 1.66m and 1.72m (Phase 2 Quadra) / Wheelbase: 2.58m.
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Engines: 1,995cc petrol (initially 110hp, then 103hp and 120hp) / 2,068cc Turbo Diesel
(88hp) / then 2,165cc petrol (110hp).
Axle: front axle based on the Renault Fuego
Body: glass fibre and polyester.
Memorable versions:
- Espace TSE: with swivelling front seats.
- Espace Quadra, with permanent four-wheel drive (1988).
- Optional rear air suspension (1990).
Anecdotes:
Espace prompted the inclusion of the word ‘monospace‘ in the French dictionary.
The high-end 2000-1 version was a reference to Stanley Kubrick’s landmark film 2001,
A Space Odyssey (‘Space’ is ‘Espace’ in French).
© Photographer unknown / All rights reserved
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RENAULT ESPACE II: 1991-1996
THE SHIFT TOWARD A HIGH-END MODEL
© Dingo
A change in dimensions coincided with a shift in the ambitions Renault
nurtured for the model. Espace II embodied the brand’s vision of what a
high-end automobile should be.
In brief:
Renault project codename: J63 (introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1991).
Total production: 316,518.
Factories: the Matra factory in Romorantin, France, and the Alpine factory in Dieppe,
France (an additional facility from 1988).
Dimensions: Length: 4.43m / Height: 1.69m to 1.71m (depending on version) /
Wheelbase: 2.58m.
Engines: 2,165cc petrol (110hp) / 2,068cc diesel (88hp) / 2,849cc V6 petrol (153hp).
Axle : front axle based on the Renault 25
Body: SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound).
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Memorable versions:
- A V6 petrol version with automatic transmission.
- Espace Quadra, with permanent four-wheel drive (1988).
- Optional rear air suspension (1990).
Anecdotes:
An Espace carried the Olympic torch in 1992.
A one-off ‘F1’ derivative was made in 1994.
© Sautelet Patrick
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RENAULT ESPACE III
PHASE 1: 1996-2000 – PHASE 2: 2000-2002
THE SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES
© DINGO
Renault Espace IIl underlined the model’s unique size with the
introduction of the even bigger Grand Espace. This futuristic take on the
vehicle led to record production figures, with no fewer than 71,200
Espace IIIs made in 1999 alone.
In brief:
Renault project codename: J66.
Total production: 365,200.
Factories: the Matra factory in Romorantin and Dieppe, both in France.
Dimensions: Length: 4.52m (standard version) or 4.79m (Grand Espace) / Width: 1.81m
/ Height: 1.69m (1.77m with roof bars) / Wheelbase: 2.70m (standard version) or 2.87m
(Grand Espace).
Main engines (transversely mounted):
Petrol: 1,998cc (115hp, 8 valves / 140hp, 16 valves / automatic and manual
transmission) / 2,963cc V6 (170hp, automatic) / 2,963cc V6 24v (194hp or 204hp).
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Diesel: 1,870cc dTi (100hp) / 2,193cc dT (12 valves, 110hp) / 2,188cc dCi (16 valves,
115hp and 130hp).
Body: composite materials, steel bonnet.
Memorable versions:
- V6 engine with paddle-shift automatic transmission.
- Air suspension version.
Anecdotes:
A Spider version was made for the 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours
© Photographer unknown / All rights reserved
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RENAULT ESPACE IV
Ph1: 2002-2006 / Ph2: 2006-2010 / Ph3:2010-2012 / Ph4: 2012-…
AGELESS, CUTTING EDGE REFINEMENT
©Patrick Curtet / Publicis Events France
Espace IV, now made entirely by Renault, represents the culmination of
the concept’s exceptionally long career. A signature feature of the model’s
latest-generation version is its total glazed area of 7 sq. metres, including
a 2.46 sq. metre transparent roof.
In brief:
Total production: 372,692 (up to end-2013).
Factory: Sandouville (Renault), France.
Dimensions: Length: 4.66m (standard version) or 4.86m (Grand Espace) / Width: 1.86m
/ Height: between 1.72m and 1.78m / Wheelbase: 2.80m (standard version) or 2.87m
(Grand Espace).
Platform: Laguna II / Vel Satis
Body: steel and aluminium.
Main engines:
Petrol: 1,998cc (normally-aspirated: 140hp / turbo: 165hp, then 170hp) / 3,498cc V6
(245hp).
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Diesel: 1,870cc (115hp) / 1,995cc (dCi 130hp or 150hp with six-speed manual gearbox,
or 175hp with six-speed manual gearbox or automatic transmission) / 2,188cc (150hp
with six-speed manual gearbox or automatic transmission) / 2,958cc V6 (180hp with
automatic transmission) / 2,993cc V6 (235hp with automatic transmission).
Memorable versions:
Espace 25th, Espace Alyum and Espace V6 Initiale.
Anecdotes:
The official film star carrier at the Cannes Film Festival.
Incorporation of Renault’s new brand identity in 2012.
© CURTET, Patrick / Publicis Events France
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2014
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© SAUTELET, Patrick
“Espace is probably the car that most epitomises Renault’s taste for innovation
and high-end image. As an inventor of new automobile concepts and trailblazing
ideas, Renault has a proven record of being one step ahead of shifts in the
market’s expectations and needs. Renault Espace, which is celebrating its 30th
anniversary this year, is concrete evidence that innovating for the benefit of
customers breeds durable success. We haven’t seen the end of the saga yet…”
Philippe Brunet – D/E Product Range Programme Vice President, Renault
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