New Renault Espace arrives as an SUV – but not for the UK

Renault has revealed the new Espace, which is now an SUV – effectively, a bigger Austral – but it’s not coming to the UK.

It’s almost seven years since Peugeot turned the 5008 MPV into a really rather good SUV as buyers’ desire for MPVs waned. And it’s been quite a success.

Now, Renault is playing the same game with the car which really started the MPV love affair – the Renault Espace – and has revealed the new Espace which is, effectively, a Renault Austral SUV under the skin.

The stretching of the Austral to deliver the Espace means a longer rear overhang to accommodate a third row of sets to turn the new Espace from a five-seater to a seven-seater, and although the new Epace is actually a bit shorter than the old model, Renault says it is roomier inside.

Inside it’s much like the Austral too with a 12.3″ digital instrument panel and 12″ infotainment, LED ambient lighting and optional HUD.

Power for the new Espace comes from a 1.2-litre hybrid powertrain, good for 197bhp.

Fabrice Cambolive, Renault CEO, said:

The All-new Espace is a major vehicle to ensure and confirm our move upmarket. It retains the DNA of the five previous generations, through its top-of-the-range presentation, its comfort, its habitability and its luminosity. It is also being transformed to meet new customer demands, with a benchmark hybrid engine and a unique multimedia experience.

As far as we can tell, Renault has no intention of offering the new Espace in the UK, despite the Austral due to go on sale soon.