Renault Espace turns 25

The first Espace, the Espace 1 was unveiled to the Press in April 1984 as a 110hp 2.0 litre petrol model while it was accompanied at the end of 1984 with an 88hp turbo-charged diesel model, Sales climbed in 1985, and demand soon outstripped production at the Matra Romorantin plant, leading to the need for extra manufacturing capacity at the Renault Dieppe plant in 1987.

Release of Espace II at the Geneva Motor Show in 1991 marked Renault's strong determination to push its MPV concept forward even further. Modularity was upgraded with the introduction of innovative floor rails for the second and third row seat fixing, a more sophisticated climate control system was introduced, and the A pillars were slimmed down by 40% to improve visibility.

The third-generation Espace, unveiled in October 1996, brought an upmarket shift to keep ahead of the competition. The dashboard featured a central digital display for improved legibility and, to meet the needs of customers looking for an even more spacious vehicle, Renault launched a longer wheelbase version in January 1998, called Grand Espace. By the end of 2001, Espace III held an 18.5% share of the MPV market. Overall production of this third-generation Espace topped 365,200 units.

The latest generation Espace and Grand Espace IV, went on sale in 2003. Consolidating the model's upmarket positioning and enhancing the driving pleasure and laidback luxury, the Espace's V6 petrol and diesel engines remain unique in this market sector. The optional sunroof remains one of the largest available, significantly adding to the ambiance inside. The Renault Espace has been the leading vehicle of its kind since inception, and, after 25 years, it shows absolutely no sign of relinquishing its supremacy in the increasingly competitive MPV market.