Renault’s main attraction at the Paris Auto Show, the all-new Espace MPV/crossover, may become available on the UK market after all.
You may remember that in 2012, Renault announced the withdrawal of several models from the UK, including the Espace. Well, it appears that the all-new model could signal the nameplate’s return to the UK, provided that it scores big on its launch markets.
That’s not just a rumor, it’s what Renault Nissan Alliance’s boss Carlos Ghosn told Auto Express. “I’m absolutely not saying never. We’re waiting for the response of the market and of the press – if we make it big in Europe, then we could go global,” Ghosn replied when asked about the Espace’s future in the UK. “We’re starting from a very low level. Let’s make sure we’re doing a good job in Europe and then expand,” the executive explained.
Described by Renault as a crossover, the all-new Espace will still offer up to seven seats. According to Renault’s boss, the car was developed with the original 1984 Espace in mind, hence the bright, usable interior.
At launch, the new Espace will be available with three turbocharged 1.6-liter units. Two of them are dCi diesels with 130 PS and 160 PS, with the latter featuring a twin-turbo setup and being offered exclusively with an automatic seven-speed EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission. The petrol powered TCe 200 variant is the most potent, producing 200 PS (197hp), and is also offered exclusively with the EDC.
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