New Renault Espace
Softer styling, innovative cornering lights, the Bluetooth Nav-Com System and the new 2.0 dCi 175 Euro IV FAP engine are just some of the features poised to ensure that the New 2006 Renault Espace remains the leader of the top-of-the-range MPV segment as ordering opens now for first customer deliveries from April 3rd 2006. With its seductive and aesthetic appeal, dynamic performance, excellence in perceived quality and travelling comfort, New Espace 2006 goes further than it has ever done before with more efficient new diesel engines, better equipment and even greater safety.
The new particulate filter-equipped 2.0 dCi diesel engine delivers 175hp and ensures that New Espace 2006 benefits from exceptional performance for this level of engine size. A new six-speed automatic transmission will soon be available on the new 3.0 dCi V6 diesel engine which will boast torque of 400Nm for even more flexibility and driving pleasure. Thanks to a choice of three petrol and four diesel powerplants, which can be coupled to five- or six-speed manual or Proactive transmission, New Espace 2006 places the accent firmly on dynamic performance and driving pleasure.
New Espace 2006’s exterior lines are softer yet its personality is as distinctive as ever and points clearly to its high-end MPV standing. New Espace 2006 is also the first vehicle of its class to feature bi-Xenon cornering lights.
Inside, the perceived quality and the sense of warmth and brightness it exudes make New Espace 2006 an even more pleasurable experience. New Espace 2006 is also available with the latest Bluetooth Nav-Com System which combines voice synthesis with a three-dimensional display. The system comes with a panoramic 7-inch screen built into the new dashboard design, Bluetooth technology for a hands-free telephone and a CD/MP3-compatible player.
The new dashboard ensures enhanced display of information, while the new Bluetooth Nav-Com System has prompted a rethink of the ergonomics of the driver's seat. Positioned between the two front seats, a single multimedia control provides access to the navigation, Bluetooth telephone and radio/MP3-compatible functions.
New automatically-attaching sliding seats ‘slide and lock’ system are available in the rear removing the need to latch the seat onto hooks in the floor rails. The seats can be taken out, moved and positioned with ease, thereby enhancing interior modularity. New Espace 2006 also has an all-flat floor.
And for complete ease of mind when travelling as a family, New Espace 2006's active and passive safety features confirm its position as the benchmark in its segment. When launched three years ago, Espace IV was the safest car ever tested by Euro NCAP.
New Espace… for New Appeal
The softer front styling of New Espace 2006 includes a new headlamp design that prolongs the lines of the bonnet. The slimmer bumper and simplified grille design reassert the vehicle's top-of-the-range status. The bi-Xenon cornering lights and their ability to pivot as a function of the position of the steering wheel give New Espace 2006 a unique frontal expression. From Dynamique, the foglamps come with a new chrome trim that discreetly echoes the elegance of the new styling. Two new body colours are also available, namely Tuscan Beige and Mountain Blue.
New wheel trims underpin New Espace 2006's dynamic design, while the design of the new 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels adds to its refined looks.
The form of the rear lights takes its inspiration from the vehicle's overall styling cues and contributes significantly to the harmony of the whole. Although discreet when switched off, the rear lights truly come into their own once illuminated.
For added elegance, the new trim favours dark charcoal tones for the upper part of the interior, contributing to an even greater level of perceived quality and a brighter, warmer feel. The trimming of the dashboard and centre console is in perfect harmony with the interior colour scheme. With the exception of the recent Dynamique version, all of the upholsteries are new.
The panoramic glass roof, which can be either fixed or electric, continues to stand out as the market benchmark in terms of its dimensions and comfort. Combined with an electric sliding sunblind, it protects passengers while at the same time giving the impression of travelling in the open air.
New Espace 2006… for New Standards of Excellence
New Espace 2006 is equipped with rain and light sensors, "See Me Home" lights, front and rear parking assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system, Emergency Brake Assist with ABS and ESP with understeer control. The Renault System for Restraint and Protection comprises eight airbags and three-point seatbelts complete with load limiters.
New Espace 2006 offers optimum child safety. All the rear seats can be fitted with ISOFIX attachments and Sleep Safe convertible child head restraints are available. New Espace 2006's strengthened structure ensures maximum safety and the vehicle benefits from a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.
New Espace 2006… for New Dynamic Performance
New Espace 2006 benefits from the latest engine and transmission evolutions. The New 2.0 dCi 175 engine achieves a 0-62mph figure of 10 seconds, a best-in-class performance with record fuel consumption figures of 38.2 mpg. With less than 200 g/km, CO2 emissions are remarkably low and make New Espace 2006 a leader in its vehicle category in environmental terms.
The driving pleasure associated with the 3.0 dCi V6 powerplant, which will be available in Spring, has been further enhanced by the new six-speed, flick-shift automatic Proactive transmission, as well as by the latter's shift-down function under heavy braking and the maintenance of the selected gear when lifting abruptly off the throttle. Meanwhile, the flick-shift control enables the driver to change gear manually if required. Perfectly compatible with the engine's 400Nm of torque, this transmission combines response and low fuel consumption 29.7 mpg in the combined cycle.
New standard equipment on trim levels
New Espace 2006 still comes equipped with an impressive list of core features such as driver’s double seatbelt pretensioners, driver and front passenger seatbelt reminders and ESP, whilst the list of standard equipment on each trim level has also increased.
For the Authentique trim, the inside of the vehicle has been given a facelift with a new stylish carbon grey upholstery replacing the previous carbon/ beige. The Expression trim now includes rear parking sensor, new carbon upholstery and pre-telephone equipment as standard.
The best-selling Dynamique already came equipped with a comprehensive list of standard features so the revision sees one change to the exterior with the addition of a chrome effect bumper strip when metallic paint is purchased as an option. In terms of engines, the Dynamique range has grown to include the new 2.0 dCi 175 Euro IV FAP engine.
Heading up the range, the luxurious Privilége and Initiale trims add even more refinement. The Privilége adds Bi-Xenon double optic headlamps with auto height adjustment and wash and parking proximity sensor to its standard features. The Privilége trim also includes the new 2.0 dCi 175 engine.
Reinforcing it’s position as the ultimate in luxury MPVs, the range-topping Initiale, which is available only on the Grand Espace ensuring extra space is available, adds the new feature of front parking proximity sensor to match the rear one, New ‘Vogue’ full leather upholstery, metallic paint with chrome effect bumper strip and 3D new Bluetooth Nav-Com system with six CD/ MP3 dashmounted changer and remote control. The dash has been revised to integrate the full colour screen for this model. Initiale’s engines also now include the new 2.0 dCi 175 Euro IV FAP.
New options for the New Espace 2006 range include the innovative cornering Bi-Xenon directional double optic headlamps with auto height adjustment and wash, which is a first for its class providing up to 90% additional light whilst cornering as well as the new Bluetooth Nav-Com System.
Prices starting from just £19,700 rising to £35,580
The New Espace 2006 continues to cover a whole range of prices which remain unchanged from the previous version with the exception of the 3.0 V6 dCi engine which rises by £180 when it arrives in the Spring.
