Europe’s first modern-day minivan (there had been previous attempts like the 1956 Fiat 600 Mulitpla) will soon be put to rest, at least in its current form, according to Renault design chief, Laurens van den Acker, who told Autonews Europe that the French carmaker will replace the Espace with a crossover model combining styling and practical elements from SUVs and MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicle).
What this means is that the Espace’s successor will attempt to keep the interior spaciousness and practicality of the current model while placing it under a more SUV-like body with a higher driving position.
Introduced in 1984 and produced in its first three generation by Matra before Renault took over manufacturing and development with the fourth and current generation Espace in 2003, the full-size French minivan has seen its sales plummet 35 percent from last year to just 3,014 units from January through April this year, according to data from JATO Dynamics.
“The Espace is a respected vehicle,” said van den Acker during a press event in Europe. “It is one Renault you’d likely see on a driveway alongside a Volkswagen or a Mercedes but we’ve let it live for too long.”
Autonews Europe reported that Renault will likely tease the Espace’s crossover successor with a concept car at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Renault’s concept car director, Axel Breun, told the publication that the next Espace will not have a masculine SUV look.
“The design is not as brutal as today’s cars. They are becoming very military, which might be OK for the Evoque or Range Rover but it’s maybe not the direction we are going” said Breun, who added that the next Espace will be a vehicle that passengers will “enjoy traveling in, with a good view.”
Renault recently announced plans to build the next Espace as well as the successors to the Laguna and Scenic MPV at its Douai factory, in France. The Espace replacement will be the company’s first model to be built on the new CFM1 modular platform that has been developed in cooperation with alliance partner Nissan.
Story References: Autonews Europe
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