Renault Espace Euro NCAP 5 Stars
The Espace is the best selling people carrier from Renault - King of the MPV builders
This sophisticated and futuristic seven seater (with the exception of the Initiale, which has six large chairs) provides everything youd expect from an MPV. Well equipped, lots of clever storage space and seats that fold, move or can be removed completely to accommodate the requirements of the day. The high individually sculptured seating offers great views and comfort, and the front seats can swivel to face the rear.
The Grand Espace is a long-wheelbased version sharing the same driving characteristics, engine line-up and specification levels.
Petrol engines start with a 2.0-litre unit, followed by a 2.0 litre turbo and a 3.5 litre V6. The diesel range kicks off with a 1.9, while a 3.0 V6 Turbo tops the range. An automatic tansmission is offered on some models, whilst both V6 models are only available as six speed
automatics.
The Grand Scenic 1.5 diesel with emissions as low as 143g/km and a VED band C really is at the forefront of current green fuel technology. Especially when you add into the equation the exceptional fuel consumption for a vehicle of this class, 45mpg urban and 57.6mpg extra urban.
Equipment levels across the range are generous with remote central locking, air conditioning, front and rear electric windows and a CD player fitted as standard across the range. Top models get climate control, sat-nav, tyre pressure monitors, front fog lamps, automatic
parking brake, automatic headlamps, ESP, traction control, six-CD autochanger, rain-sensing wipers and parking sensors. Several option are available including a full-length glass roof, which helps brighten the already airy interior.
Packed with safety kit, the Espace is one of only a handful of MPVs to pick up a maximum five-star rating from crash test organisation Euro NCAP. Features include twin front and side airbags and side bags for the centre row of seats, ISOFIX child-seat mounts on every rear seat, anti-lock brakes and an electronic
stability programme. Security consists of shielded deadlocks, electrically-assisted de-clutching steering lock, card-entry system and marked parts.
Every new Renault comes with a 3 year warranty package. The first 2 years of unlimited mileage followed by a further year of cover up to 60,000 mileage. In addition there is a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Renault UK also employs the services of the AA to
provide Renault Assistance during the warranty cover (up to 24 months from date of registration). This fully comprehensive roadside assistance package is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
About the manufacturer
Committed to protecting the environment throughout its processes, one of Renault's strengths is its capacity to integrate the environment into every stage of a vehicle project. From the design right through to the end of its life cycle, each new vehicle requires important
environmental decisions to be made, from the choices of materials, the methods of fluid extraction, the dismantling operations for recycling, emissions, fuel consumption and noise levels to list just a few. With mould-breaking innovations such as direct injection
Commonrail diesels and robotised gearboxes, Renault has consistently demonstrated that care for the environment can be compatible with real technical progress.
As alternative fuel sources as still a way off, Renault continues to strives to minimize CO2 emissions from its existing gasoline and diesel engines. They are tackling this from many different angles, including optimized fuel combustion, lightweight vehicle design, and reducing friction between moving parts. Improvements in all these areas help reduce fuel consumption, and thereby CO2 emissions and Renault is a leading manufacturer in this area as highlighted by the fact that in 2005, 25% of all vehicles sold in Europe that emitted less than 120g/km CO2 were Renaults. A lead Renault plan to continue by selling a million cars a year with CO2 emissions under 140g/km by 2008, with a third of these emitting less than 120 grams. Not surprising then that Renault proudly boasts that it already has one of the best vehicle ranges in the world for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Looking to the future and the eventual replacement of petroleum Fuels, Renault has been taking part in ambitious research programs on alternative energies for both the near future with the development of
biomass fuels and battery-electric vehicles, and the longer term with advanced technologies like fuel cells to power electric vehicles. When Renault announced its "Renault Commitment 2009" on February 9,
2006, it confirmed that the group was preparing a broad range of alternative technologies, of which the fuel cell is just one part.
At the 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Lyons, France Renault was able to show off the advances it has made in the development of vehicles powered by fuel cells with reformers used to apply hydrogen energy to power a car. This technology directly produces hydrogen on demand and on board the vehicle, solving the problem of very high-pressure or cryogenic storage. Since 2002, Renault and Nuvera Fuel Cells have been working together on this solution by which the reformer, transforms liquid fuel into reformate, a hydrogen-rich gas that can be used to supply the fuel cell. The only by product of this process is water, which is then returned in a closed circuit to the reformer that needs water to operate.
When a vehicle reaches the end of its service life Renault recognises that, as well as being a potential burden on the environment, it is not worthless and still has a value as it contains expensive raw materials
that can be recycled. In line with the requirements of the EC End of Life Vehicle Directive, Renault owners are offered the possibility to dispose of their vehicle, free of charge, via a Renault appointed take back facility. Renault has selected Cartakeback.com Ltd to provide
free take back to last owners of vehicles of the Renault, Alpine and Dacia brands. All take back and treatment facilities operate in conformity with the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) requirements. Vehicles will be treated to meet the recycling and recovery target of 85 percent by weight from 2006 as set by the End of Life Vehicle Directive.