So the French are ready to right the wrong of the SUV Espace, assuming the concept makes it out of the ‘Lab’ and into production looking like this. The concept clearly builds on the form language of Renault’s last concept, Embleme, which Auto Express predicted was a toe in the water for the Espace’s return to its roots. 

The two share curvaceous wings, an arced roofline and crossover touches such as big wheels crowned by gloss-black wheelarch surrounds, but the R-Space Lab has a closer-to-production front and rear end. The concept may be shorter and lower than an Espace, but it still packs a spacious and versatile cockpit, bathed in light by the full-length glass roof.

New platform and EV tech

That’s because it’s set to roll on Renault’s all-new RGEV Medium 2.0 platform, conceived electric-first but able to accommodate compact Range Extender (REx) EV drivetrains. Like a true MPV, the R-Space Lab is a ‘monospace’, the French term for a ‘one-box’ people carrier with a stubby nose that flows into a big cockpit. 

The new platform should yield true MPV space in a smaller footprint than today’s Espace, thanks to that long wheelbase harbouring a big battery to chase a 500-mile range figure. For customers not yet ready to go full EV, a small range-extender engine which acts as a generator will fit under the bonnet. Both the Espace EV and REx will drive like pure electric cars, with the battery powering Renault’s next-generation electric motor packing 266bhp, a 25 per cent power hike over today’s punchiest motor. It’s mounted on the rear axle, a big change over today’s front-wheel drive Renaults.   

Spacious, innovative cabin

All this cleverly-packaged tech creates a spacious five-seater concept, with three individual seats in the rear. These recline and slide back and forth, and can be pushed up against the front seats to maximise space for big loads, claims Renault. Individual seats are also a boon for fitting child seats, aided by the rear doors opening to a wide 90˚.