Renault Espace electric: the concept car makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show

Forty-two years on from the first Espace, Renault returns to the Paris Motor Show – which opens today – with a concept car that revives one of the most significant names in its history. It is called the E-Space Concept and brings the MPV concept back to the French brand. Measuring 4.70 metres in length, it offers a glimpse of a new take on Renault’s large family car for the electric era, but above all it introduces the Rgev Medium 2.0 platform, designed for electric and electrified models.

The Renault E-Space Concept features a low, sleek body and a strong focus on aerodynamics. The paint finish is known as ‘ruby black’, whilst a U-shaped light signature appears at the front and rear. At the centre of the front end sits the new illuminated Renault logo, set within a pixelated pattern. The name ‘E-Space’ combines a reference to the ‘Espace’ with the letter ‘E’, which links to the French manufacturer’s E-Tech electrified range.

E-Space is unveiling the platform designed for the next generation of Renault models. Images taken during the presentation show the new Rgev Medium 2.0, a modular architecture developed for models ranging from the B+ to D segments and compatible with various body styles, including saloons, SUVs and MPVs. The platform is built around an 800-volt electrical system and utilises a cell-to-body battery. Renault states a maximum range of 750 kilometres (WLTP) for the fully electric versions, whilst the range-extender configuration can reach 1,400 kilometres, with declared emissions of less than 25 grams of CO₂ per kilometre. These figures are indicative of the architecture and have not yet been directly attributed to the future Espace.

The Rgev Medium 2.0 will be available in a 275 cavalli rear-wheel-drive version and an all-wheel-drive version capable of delivering up to 500 cavalli. The planned technologies also include four-wheel steering, electronic dampers, active suspension and x-by-wire systems. Renault is also focusing on batteries with different chemistries and cell formats, with the aim of reducing the costs of the new generation of electric vehicles by 40 per cent compared to the current generation. The platform will also be designed to support the new Software-Defined Vehicle architecture. 90 per cent of its features will be remotely updatable, whilst the carOS operating system will be based on Android and developed in collaboration with Google.