2006 Renault Espace

2006 Renault Espace

2006 Renault Espace For more than 20 years, Espace has stood out as the top-of-the-range MPV benchmark and segment leader. Faced with an increasingly competitive marketplace, New Espace today consolidates that status with a softer design which remains as expressive and modern as ever. A pleasure in every way, New Espace is available with the 2.0 dCi engine, best in class in terms of performance and driving pleasure, and available in two versions - 150hp (110kW) and 175hp (127kW), both of which are equipped with a particulate filter. With a new sixspeed automatic transmission for the 3.0 V6 diesel engine and a choice of four diesel and three petrol powerplants, New Espace features the most comprehensive range of engines in its segment. Versatile and functional, New Espace comes with optimized flexibility thanks to its automatically-attaching sliding rear seats. Meanwhile, the car's enhanced technological features serve both safety and efficiency, with the availability of bi-Xenon cornering lights and the latest-generation Carminat Navigation and Communication System. New Espace goes on sale from March 17.

Style and travelling comfort: added elegance and pleasure

New Espace has been lightly restyled with a shift to more elegant, modern lines. The new design of the grille and bumper softens the front, which also features new high-tech design halogen or bi-Xenon headlamps. The car is also available with an innovation never previously seen in this segment: bi-Xenon cornering lights which are optional with the Privilège and Initiale levels. A further distinctive sign of New Espace Initiale is the chrome trim that runs between the fog lamps to underline the classic elegance of the new design.

New Espace's rear lights have also evolved. When lit, they are reminiscent of LEDs and recall the lines of the front grille and headlamps.

New Espace's dynamic looks are reinforced by its new 16- and 17-inch Primastella wheels, while further refinement is provided by the design of the new 17-inch Novastella (Privilège level), 17-inch Aida (Initiale) and optional 18-inch Aria alloy wheels. Two new body colours have been added - Lumière Blue and Sahara Beige (exclusive to the Initiale level) - which takes the total number of body colours available for New Espace to 13.

New Espace has undergone changes on the inside too. The full range of interior colour schemes has been revised, with the emphasis on charcoal hues. Dark charcoal has been selected for the upper part of the dashboard and door trims, while the lower parts are trimmed in beige or light charcoal according to level. Discreet trims have also appeared on the dashboard and centre console according to trim level, making New Espace's interior even brighter and more welcoming than before while focusing on travelling comfort and quality.

Each trim level features a distinctive ambience. There are subdued dark charcoal tones for Authentique, a warming combination of charcoal and beige for Expression, a brighter, more distinguished elegance for Privilège and, finally, the topof-the-range Initiale which includes perforated Haircell leather upholstery and beechwood inlay. Apart from the very recently introduced Dynamique version and Alyum Plus limited edition, all New Espace upholsteries are new.

New Espace's top-of-the-range appointments continue with its all-new centre console and revised dashboard cowling which incorporates the new Carminat Navigation and Communication System (standard or optional according to level). Meanwhile, the cleanly sculpted dashboard harmonizes perfectly with the rest of the interior to form an environment where technology is discreetly integrated into the overall design. The dashboard is visible for all passengers and affords a clear display of the driver aid indications and other information. Finally, ergonomics of the centre console has been revised to include closed stowage space and the new navigation system's multimedia controls, which fall easily to hand.

New Espace, where technology serves driving pleasure

From the Privilège trim level up, New Espace also benefits from bi-Xenon cornering lights. This option is available for the very first time on a top-of-therange MPV and enhances comfort and safety by allowing the headlights to follow the line of the road ahead. This system provides twice as much light for practically half as much energy as conventional halogen lamps. In corners, it offers up to 90% additional lighting. The lamp modules are illuminated when the car starts up and begin to pivot from 7kph. At speeds in excess of 30kph, the beam lifts for improved visibility. This innovative lighting system ensures a reassuringly clear view of the road ahead, while the bi-Xenon lights offer a quality of light similar to that of daylight and ensure both the main- and dipped-beam functions.

New Espace is available with the new Carminat Navigation and Communication System, which combines voice synthesis with a three-dimensional view of the road. Information is displayed on a panoramic 7-inch screen built into the new upper dashboard design and comes with Bluetooth hands-free telephone controls and a dash-mounted CD/MP3-compatible player. The navigation system, which can display up to three different itineraries simultaneously, automatically zooms in on junctions on the approach to all changes of direction and takes real-time information relating to road and traffic conditions into account (according to country). Its highcapacity memory (information for up to 22 countries on a single DVD) and swift response make this one of the most powerful systems on the market. Drivers can make full use of the navigation system and telephone thanks to the voice recognition function and a single multimedia control without distracting their attention. Steering wheel-mounted remote controls also facilitate use of the audio system.

From the Authentique level up, New Espace is equipped with "Follow Me Home" lights which allow the driver to locate his or her vehicle or light up the way when leaving the car. Meanwhile, the boot is equipped with a new boot light which illuminates the load space and the area at the rear of the vehicle. Another optional aid on New Espace from the Expression level up is park assist, the ideal complement to the rear park assist function which is standard on all versions with the exception of Authentique. Electrically adjustable seats can be ordered together with electrochromic folding door mirrors that automatically memorize settings (Privilège level up).

The range of features that have long ensured the popularity and appeal of Espace has been extended to all trim levels: the Renault hands-free card, rear parking assist, parking brake assist, rain and light sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system, fuel flap with built-in cap, the Renault Anti-Intruder Device (RAID) and individual controls for the climate control system. For enhanced comfort and driveability, New Espace features the very latest technology. New Espace also comes with an optional built-in DVD player with two screens in the rear of the front headrests.