Renault Espace

Photo: Renault

The Espace range of engines is also extended through the 2.0 16v with variable valve timing, driving through the Proactive automatic transmission. The Espace gains many extra items of equipement, such as Xenon headlamp units, automatic climate control, and making its first European appearance, a radio teamed with a "1 DIN 6 CD in-dashboard" player. The Espace also offers new smooth-glass headlamp units, while its braking system has been up-rated to achieve significantly reduced stopping distances. 

Made in the factories of Romorantin and Dieppe at an average rate of 280 and 40 vehicles per day respectively, the Espace is today sold in more than 30 countries. Its commercial success is due to its successful concept of versatility and spaciousness, its avant-garde and sporting appearance, an innovative layout, and safety and comfort equipment of the highest standard. 

With a 19.6% market penetration and unit sales of 67,753 in western Europe in 1999, the Espace occupies first place in the top-range MPV segment ahead of the Ford Galaxy (16.8%), Volkswagen Sharan (14%) and Chrysler Voyager (12%). 

In the first five months of the year 2000, the Espace consolidated its leadership of its segment in France and in the rest of Europe with market shares of 47.3% and 22.9% respectively. 

In 1997 Renault was the first French vehicle manufacturer introduce a direct injection diesel engine to the market, in the Mégane, the Scénic and then the Laguna. The company continued development of its engine family with the new dCi range of common rail direct injection diesels. Following the Laguna and then the Scénic 1.9 dCi at the end of 1999, Renault is launching in September 2000 its new Espace range, equipped with the new 2.2 dCi 16v engine. 

(June 27, 2000)