MPVs or 'people carriers' come in all sizes, small, medium and large and because of their ability to combine seating and load carrying options, they are still proving to be very popular with UK customers. So far this year the MPV sector of the new car market is the only segment to show a growth in sales, up 25.6% in August and 6.6% for the year to date. The overall new car market in the UK is down by 4.6% so far this year so MPVs are bucking the trend.
The new sporty looking Ford S-Max has recently cornered most of the media coverage about MPVs but it is established people carriers like the Renault Espace that have stood the test of time.
The Espace has always been the benchmark vehicle in the large MPV market for more than 20 years with well over a million of them being sold worldwide since it was launched in 1984.
Since that time the vehicle has gone on evolving but still keeps the principal of seating for up to seven passengers in a 2+3+2, three row seating layout. The stylish MPV is available as the Espace or the Grand Espace, which has a slightly longer wheelbase.
Early this year the Espace range had another radical makeover with significant improvements to the styling, improved interior specification and a revised line-up of engines.
Renault has just announced their 2007 Espace line-up and sales opened on 11th September. The changes include a revised specification for their mid-range Dynamique models, the most popular trim and specification level out of the five they offer. The Dynamique is also offered with five engine choices, one petrol and four Euro IV diesels. The choice of only offering one petrol engine reflects the fact that 90% of Espace customers choose diesel.
Dynamique Espace and Grand Espace specification models range in price from £23,945 to £28,175.
Just by chance, as Renault announced details of their 2007 Espace and Grand Espace changes, I was in custody of a top of the range Grand Espace Initiale 2.0-litre dCi model with a hefty £33,275 price tag. That is still not the most expensive model in the range, which tops out at £35,545 for the rather pointless 3.5-litre V6 petrol model.
My test car had the latest Renault 2.0-litre diesel unit as used in the revised Laguna. It produces 175bhp and more importantly 360Nm of torque at only1,750rpm making it a fast and very responsive new generation turbocharged diesel power unit. It also has a FAP emission filter with CO2 at 200 g/km, which still puts it in the high Band F for VED rates, £195 per annum for this model.
Mated to this engine in my test car was a six-speed manual transmission that proved to be really smooth and precise to operate and the gear ratios were really well sorted. So many times, to give low emission ratings, we see very high fifth and sixth gear ratios that even with high torque diesel engines make them pretty unsympathetic to drive requiring lots of needless changing up and down the gearbox.
The Grand Espace Initiale has it all; it is like the well appointed lounge of a luxury home on wheels. All seven seats are full size, well upholstered and the middle and third rows of seats can be left up, folded down, turned around or taken out entirely, to create multiple seating or seating and low carrying combinations. However, because these seats are very comfortable and full size, they are heavy to lift in and out. There are more clever MPVs on the market today that allow for folding seats down to create a flat load floor without the need for removing them. Buying this vehicle is really about owning a vehicle for carrying seven people. If you don't have that specific need, look for something else. With all seven seats in place the luggage room is very limited with just 456 litres of load space. Take out the five rear seats and this goes up to a mammoth 3,050 litres. However, it does what it says on the label; it is a people carrier not a people and load carrier. Executive chauffeur and private hire operators - this one is for you.
Generally the interior seating and legroom room is good for all passengers and it is relatively easy to get to the rear third row of seats through the hinged, not sliding, rear side doors. The Initiale version also has the benefit of a lift up tailgate but for small items the tailgate window can also be lifted open separately, a neat feature.
As to the fixtures and fittings, there are too many to list with the Initiale, everything is included from anti-whiplash head restraints, multi airbags, sunblinds, CD player with Bluetooth satellite navigation system, front and rear air conditioning with independent controls and full leather upholstery. As I said, a stately lounge on wheels.
There is no getting away from the fact that following the major styling revisions introduced earlier this year the Grand Espace is a sleek and somewhat prestigious looking vehicle, not a van with windows. It even has the full five star Euro NCAP safety rating.
I would best describe the overall road control of the Grand Espace as designed for comfort over sharp handling. It copes pretty well with bends and the ride is compliant and absorbs bumps and potholes for a smooth journey. It had anti-lock braking, an electronic stability and handling programme and traction and understeer control so it's an accomplished vehicle.
The new 2.0-litre power unit was a revelation. It is eager to please and very quiet in operation. The week long test, over all types of roads, although not with seven passengers I have to admit, saw an average of 34.4mpg, down on the 37.2mpg officially quoted. From the long list of engine choices this would be the unit I would select probably with the less expensive but good enough Dynamique specification at an all-up price of £27,975.
MILESTONES. Renault Grand Espace Initiale 2.0-litre dCi 175. Price: £33,275 Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, common-rail direct injection turbocharged diesel with FAP filter, 175bhp, 360Nm of torque. Performance: 127mph, 0-62mph 10 seconds, 37.2mpg (34.4mpg actual), CO2 200 g/km. VED: Band F £195. BIK: 30%. Insurance group: 14E.
For: Luxurious specification, roomy/flexible seating for seven people, elegant exterior styling, high safety rating, comfortable ride. Against: Not enough luggage space for seven people, seats heavy and difficult to remove, plastics on the sweeping dashboard not up to the quality of the rest of the car and the high retail price.
