Renault Espace to return as extended, seven-seat Austral

New pictures unveiled by Renault seem to verify that the new, sixth-generation Espace is an extended model of the Austral SUV.

The illustrations or photos, previewing the new Espace’s aspect profile and rear close, reveal a similar form to the Austral as properly as its front and rear lights.

The only variance seems to be the Espace’s lifted and prolonged rear deck. 

Renault has confirmed that the new model is 4.72 metres long, .19m longer than the Austral. This is also .04m lengthier than the new Nissan X-Path, with which the new Espace shares its CMF-CD system.

As with the X-Trail, the Espace will be available in five-seat and 7-seat configurations, with the former trading the 3rd row for a extra capacious boot.

Renault formerly showed the new car’s gold badging, hinting that it will aspect a hybrid powertrain. This established-up is most likely to comprise the 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor and electric powered motor from the Austral E-Tech, combining to output 157bhp or 197bhp.

This yields up to 61.4mpg on the WLTP put together cycle and emits 105g/km of CO2 – but these figures are probably to be marginally inferior in a bigger (and possible heavier) product.

More affordable but significantly less productive moderate-hybrid units – creating 138bhp and 157bhp in the Austral – are also predicted to be made available in the Espace.

A Renault spokesperson beforehand verified to Autocar that the new Espace will not be marketed in the United kingdom.

The SUV will be disclosed in the coming weeks, with product sales likely to get started later this calendar year in line with the Espace’s 40th anniversary.

The unique motor vehicle, the merchandise of a collaboration with Matra, created its community debut in November 1983. It is often credited as the very first European MPV, presenting 7 seats – of which the rear 5 ended up detachable – and a totally flat flooring driving the driver.