Which came first, the chicken or the egg? It paradox as old as the world can be applied with equal success to the automobile and appearance the first minivans in the 80s. or Chrysler released it Travel in 1983this one had it all utility silhouette. So Espace Renault, which arrived in 1984 and designed primarily as a recreational vehicle may be considered a the first minivan. Cubic, protruding, favorable beautiful internal volumes.

Equipped with a trunk box, he wanted involve families. AND drive the traditional station wagon off the roads. But when it comes 1991 is the time of its replacementRenault should act frugally, and gifts Space 2version modernized but faithful because that determined the success of the first generation.

A model at the service of the family

For this second throwRenault took control the winning recipe from the previous onesoftening his lines and paying more attention to its proportions. There the silhouette is narrower, body parts – grills, headlights, mirrors – are better integrated. They contribute to a increased aerodynamics for the model. truth toolboxRenault makes the Espace one of its own flag bearers Having equipped it with the latest technologies and innovations their engineers.

So it will be available from 153 horsepower PRV V6. But also in Quadra all-wheel drive. Just like with the latest safety equipment (eg 3-point seat belt for 6 out of 7 seats). Sold 315618 approx (ie 25,000 more than the first generation), it will be replaced by a the third and rounder generation in 1996. Still in production Matra at the historic Romorantin factory. This third generation wanted to be even more legislative, and in particular enacted just that Renault’s new best trim: Initiale.

From a minivan to a crossover

Then comes 2002 and fourth generation Renault minivan. No more curves and rolls, now he wants to be more athletic ! The look is more aggressive, the vertical rear lights are excessively long. Like its predecessor, it is available in short or long version (Cosmos/Big Space). But also in the 3.5 L V6 version! A whole era…

So, we have come to the fifth generation, which changed the minivan silhouette to a crossover silhouette. Get out of 7 real seats: the two seats in the third row become additional booster seats for the little ones. The profile should be lower, the ground clearance higher and the roof lower towards the rear establish its more “sporty” side. With the new generation of Space, which was presented this morning, the story continues, but unfortunately more in the way of crossovers than family, comfortable and spacious minivans.