Renault has released some new generation shadow images Space ahead of its exposure in the northern hemisphere spring (March to May).
As previously reported, the Renault Espace turns 40 this year and transforms into an SUV with either five or seven seats in its sixth generation.
Using these latest teaser photos as a guide, it looks like the new Espace is a stretched version of the Austral SUV.
Renault has previously confirmed the new Espace will be based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi CMF-CD platform, which is also used in vehicles including the Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, and Renault Austral.
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Espace teaser -
Austral
This architecture is also used in the outgoing fifth generation Espace, a human driver with some SUV-like design cues.
The teased Renault Espace and Austral appear to share similar side profiles, though the former has a longer, flatter roofline to compensate for the extra seating. The headlights and taillights also look almost identical.
Renault claims the new Espace is 14cm shorter than the outgoing model, although it has “a bit more” interior space at 2.48m.
The outgoing Espace is only built in left-hand drive, and it’s not yet clear whether this will change with the new higher-riding model.
When the Austral was revealed early last year, a spokesman for local distributor Ateco said “we will put our hands on any right-hand drive product and then evaluate it for our market”.
Renault has yet to release any information about the powertrain of the new generation Espace. It will likely be available with mild hybrid and hybrid powertrains like the Austral.
On the local front, Renault currently offers Captur, Arkana, Koleos, Kangoo, Trafic, Master, and Megane RS
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Espace Out
The latter model is expected to be discontinued in Australia this year. The brand recently confirmed that 40 examples of the final edition Megane RS Ultime will be released by the middle of the year.
Renault will soon offer the all-electric Kangoo E-Tech van, as well as the Megane E-Tech Electric crossover locally. Both are currently scheduled to join Australian networks this year.
In the long term, the upcoming Renault 4 and 5 electric vehicles (EVs) are understood to be an option for Australia.
“Any new product that’s announced from the EV side, we’re ready,” Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey told us in May last year.
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4Ever Trophy -
5 concepts -
Megane E-Tech
MORE: 2024 Renault Espace SUV teased