Finally, from France they assure that the new 7-seater SUV that Renault will launch in 2023 will be called Espace. The model, therefore, will be transformed, like the Scénic, into a new SUV.
Renault bets on SUVs. That is, without a doubt, the conclusion that we can take taking into account the bulk of the vehicles that the French brand will launch. And it is that, if it is true that the new R4 and R5 will also arrive as more emotional models, the new Austral and the future Renault Captur Coupé, Scénic and Espace confirm the trend of reconverting, little by little, most of its range on crossover bodies.
Especially striking is the phenomenon of mutations. Renault has already confirmed that the new Scénic will leave the minivan silhouette to become an SUV, while the Mégane has released an E-Tech Electric version this past year, also converted to this type of vehicle. Well, the third in contention will be the Espace, which throughout 2023 will present a new generation… also an SUV.
THE NEW 7-SEATER SUV WILL BE CALLED RENAULT ESPACE
The surprise, yes, has occurred in the last few hours. Initially baptized as Grand Austral, being based on an Austral but with 7 seats and a longer wheelbase, the French medium L’Argus now confirms that this large SUV already confirmed by Renault will finally be called Espace. It is not yet official, but this information already gives it for sure.
The SUV should therefore reach the market almost as a replacement for both the current Espace and the Koleos, to form the SUV offer above Renault. This model will become the fifth generation of the Espace and will presumably be manufactured in Douai, France, from the end of this year.
The initial forecast of the new Renault Espace 2023 is that it can be configured in the market in 5 or 7-seater versions, to become a higher category rival of the current Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq, Nissan X-Trail, or VW Tiguan Allspace. Developed from the CMF-CD architecture of the French group, its length will be around 4.70 meters and it will have much of the technology that the new Mégane E-Tech and Austral are already launching today.
THESE WILL BE ITS ENGINES
As for engines, the new Renault Espace 2023 will offer the brand’s latest innovations, and can now be offered with hybrid E-Tech versions with 160 or 200 hp, combining the 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder engine with an electric motor. As access variants, this great SUV could bet on the new 1.2 TCe gasoline engine with 130 hp and 48V micro-hybrid technology. Above, there should also be a 1.3 TCe 4-cylinder with 140 or 160 hp, this time with a micro-hybrid system of only 12V.
Diesel seems definitively ruled out in the new Renault Espace, while the arrival of a plug-in hybrid version is also expected in the coming months.
