It's nearly 20 years since this car invented the MPV category .The Espace solves the people carrier's perennial power problem. In the past, MPVs have forced you to choose between unrefined but frugal diesels, gutless small-capacity petrol engines or profligate large petrol power plants. Now the Espace comes with a 3 litre 180bhp diesel V6, combining near 130mph potential and 30mpg in normal running. Smooth at idle and very quiet at speed, it is what MPVs have been crying out for.
The exterior styling is far more attractive and softer lines distract the eye away from the boxy shape making the new Espace more desirable than its outgoing model. The huge amounts of glass, from the large windscreen, huge quarter lights at the front and uniform around the rest of the Espace not only gives exceptional amount so light into the cabin, it also is a great safety feature in terms of excellent visibility which is necessary is a vehicle of this size.
The interior sees driver and passenger seats that are electrically adjustable, heated and very comfortable with the armrest taking the strain away. The Grand Espace is literally packed with storage solutions as Renault has done away with the center console thus freeing up space for countless concealed storage bins. There is a potential home for everything .The seats are very easy to operate, pull down or fold away and in Row 2 they have their own air conditioning and heating controls, and for their bits and bobs, door pockets, elasticated pockets behind the front seats and pull out picnic trays. Row 3 has bottle holders and air vents.The start button is placed neatly by the gear lever with a slot to put the key card in and the controls for the sat nav is in front of the gear lever. Air conditioning controls are on a dial format in the driver?s door along with electrics for an all windows and a switch for the electrically operated heated door mirrors that fold flat when the car is locked. The height adjustable steering wheel has cruise controls along with remote controls for the audio.
