IT started with the Vel Satis, moving quickly to a short-lived coupe called the Avantime. Megane then got the same treatment, and now the post-modern concept designer look has crept its way on to Renault's big people-carrier, the Espace.
How successful it is is questionable, of course. You don't have to look at the sales sheets to assess its impact. Just check out the nearest car park and see how many new Renault's (Clio and Laguna aside) you can spot.
That's the buying public for you - they don't know a good thing when they see it. Because like all the odd-looking fish in the Renault rock pool, Espace isn't a bad car.
Aesthetics are super-modern, innovative and definitely 21st century. I like the proportions - wide at the bottom with big wheels at each corner and narrowing as you move up the vertical.
Huge swathes of glass give it a sort of mobile greenhouse effect, which translates to a spacious airy interior. The sunroof is vast, stretching the length of a very long vehicle. It is simply brilliant when the sun shines (pun intended) and great when it doesn't, maximising the light from a dull day.
Inside is exceptionally well thought-out. There are glove boxes an Olympic boxing team would die for. They are everywhere and large enough to be of great use for storage.
The dash scuttles off into the distance to digital clocks and readouts for the trip computer. If you are short sighted then take your binoculars. Satnav and the hand set for the music system hide under flip-up lids and driver and passenger get their own heating controls close at hand on the doors, which is a nice touch.
Look rearward in an Espace and there is enough room to have a good game of five-a-side. However, fill that space with five very comfortable leather armchairs and there's only space for blow football. The seats are versatile. They move back and forth, they fold and tilt and if need be they come out completely.
Always a failing in the old Espace was the heating. By the time the heater air reached the seats in the boot it had cooled considerably, so it was always wise to wrap up on long journeys in the back and strip naked in the front. Thankfully that won't be a problem with new Espace, which has roofline vents all along the cabin and fan boosters in the back.
The people-carrier is designed to carry as many folk as possible as far as it can and at this the big Renault excels.
On the motorway it's incredibly relaxed, hardly a murmur coming from the 2.2 turbo diesel. Stick it on cruise and let the Espace do the rest as it gobbles up the miles with aplomb.
It's also pretty good on the swervy stuff. Body control isn't bad at all for such a big vehicle and the steering is nice and precise.
There's bags of grip and the ride is comfy too. Brakes, gearbox and clutch are just fine but I was a bit disappointed with economy - I couldn't achieve more than 32 miles per gallon - though it does at least have a large fuel tank, giving it a decent range.
That said, the Renault diesel is smooth and powerful, giving the Espace remarkable overtaking prowess.
Renault has always been at the forefront in the people-carrying game and the new Espace has all the qualities needed to keep it at the top - as long as you like the looks.
12/04/2003
