[Auto/Moto] Future Renault Espace (2023): a 7-seater SUV in the vein of the Peugeot 5008?

[-_-Moltres-_-]

 

Several names are considered to baptize the 7-seater version of the Renault Austral. Among them, Espace, despite the abandonment of the minivan profile

 

 

Future Renault Espace (2023) – The Renault Espace is (soon) dead. Long live the Renault Espace! Because, if the minivan architecture will definitely be shelved , in the coming months, its name could survive it under the guise of a 7-seater SUV entering direct competition with the Peugeot 5008

 

 

Nothing is official yet, but the rumor is pressing as to the return of the Renault Espace, during 2023. However, Luca de Meo, since his arrival at the head of the Losange, in 2020, has not hidden his desire to turn back to the ugly ducklings of the range. Thus, the Kadjar will only have lived for a generation before giving way to the Austral, in the coming months, when its big brother Koleos could also be scrapped. Conversely, despite the poor sales of current models, Scenic and Espace are about to be drafted for the needs of new SUV categories.

 

The waltz of appellations

This is the whole paradox of the principle of attribution of designations which is currently exercised at Renault. On the one hand, we will not have given a second chance to the Kadjar, despite honest sales figures. But the comparison with the insolent success of the Peugeot 3008 will have been fatal to it. On the other hand, we seem convinced internally, if the information were to be verified, that future customers would have no problem becoming owners of an SUV using the name of a minivan, a category of cars has become totally obsolete nowadays.

Identity crisis?

In the same way, we are entitled to wonder if Renault made the right choice to renew the name Mégane, intimately linked to the world of thermal vehicles for 25 years in the collective imagination, for its new 100% electric model. . By way of comparison, Volkswagen did not risk referring to the Golf or the Tiguan to identify its recent virtuous range (ID.3, ID.4, ID.5). Finally, by 2024/2025, the Renault 5 will orchestrate its big comeback , in the form of a 100% electric city car. If the magic is sure to operate on its national market, what is the real international influence of the R5, which disappeared from the catalog for more than 30 years? Is not the Fiat 500 who wants!

Finally the right horse

To return to the future Space, or at least the 7-seater version of the Austral , it will be based on a platform close to the new Nissan X-Trail, expected next summer. It should take over some micro-hybrid engines , but will rely above all on the new classic hybrid block of 200 hp , soon to be inducted by the Austral, before a rechargeable technology, strong of 280 hp , does not appear in the longer term. .

State-of-the-art multimedia environment, on board

In terms of style, it will take up most of the silhouette of the Renault Austral , via an elongated template of around twenty centimeters to evolve around 4.70 m long. On board, we should also find the dashboard of his little brother, itself extrapolated from the electric Mégane. 4k quality screens are likely to be fitted in the cockpit, around a digital environment developed in partnership with Google.

Renault Espace future price

Launched in 2023, the future Renault Espace or Grand Austral will be assembled in Spain. Its entry-level price should approach €34,000, according to our estimates. If Renault may fear a miss as to the name of its new 7-seater SUV, the manufacturer can on the other hand be certain of having bet on the right positioning, facing the Peugeot 5008 and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace , after having missed the mark with a Koleos with a similar size, but limited to 5 places.