Renault is preparing to revive one of the most important names in European automotive history. The French automaker will unveil the new Renault E-Space Concept at the Paris Motor Show, presenting an all-electric interpretation of the pioneering Espace minivan that helped redefine family transportation in the 1980s.

And while Renault is officially describing the vehicle as a concept, there is already good reason to believe that the E-Space could become a production model. If Renault follows the development strategy it has used for several recent concept cars, an electric Espace could reach European roads within the next two years.

More importantly, the E-Space could give Renault a direct rival to the Volkswagen ID. Buzz while bringing something increasingly rare to the European market: a purpose-built electric family vehicle focused on space, practicality and distinctive design rather than simply being another SUV.

Renault E-Space Brings Back the Spirit of the Original

The original Renault Espace arrived in 1984 and quickly established itself as one of Europe’s most innovative family vehicles. Its boxy proportions, lightweight construction and exceptionally flexible interior made it possible to carry passengers and luggage in a way conventional cars simply could not match.

More than four decades later, Renault is attempting to reinterpret that formula for the electric era.

Renault describes the E-Space Concept as a “future-facing version of the original,” and the connection to the 1984 model is immediately apparent. Rather than simply applying an electric powertrain to an existing SUV, Renault appears to have designed the concept around the fundamental advantages of the minivan: maximum interior volume within a relatively compact footprint.

The design features a short hood and upright front end, giving the E-Space the characteristic proportions of the original Espace. Modern LED lighting and an illuminated Renault diamond provide the futuristic element, while the steeply angled windshield adds a surprisingly sporty character.

Along the side, a completely horizontal waistline runs toward the upright rear section. The design is visually clean, but the engineering logic is obvious: keeping the body tall and the rear vertical helps maximize usable cabin space.

Renault has yet to reveal detailed interior specifications, but the concept appears to feature two rows of seats. Previous Espace generations were available with two- and three-row configurations, while some versions offered highly flexible seating arrangements, including front captain’s chairs capable of rotating 180 degrees.

Whether any of those ideas return remains to be seen.

A 4.7-Meter Electric Family Car

Renault has so far kept technical information about the E-Space Concept relatively limited. The company has confirmed that the vehicle measures approximately 4.7 meters in length.

That puts the concept in a familiar size category for European buyers, with an overall footprint roughly comparable to vehicles such as the Honda CR-V. However, the E-Space’s boxier architecture could allow it to offer considerably more usable passenger and cargo space than a similarly sized crossover.

That could become one of its biggest advantages.

While the European market has moved heavily toward SUVs and crossovers, the fundamental need for spacious family transportation has not disappeared. A vehicle with a relatively compact exterior but a highly efficient interior could therefore offer a compelling alternative to the increasingly large electric SUVs now entering the market.

New Renault RGEV Platform Could Be Key

Underneath the E-Space Concept could be one of the most interesting elements of Renault’s next-generation electric strategy.

Renault has previously announced its new RGEV architecture for compact electric vehicles. The platform is expected to use an 800-volt electrical system and could cost around 40 percent less to manufacture than the architectures currently used by the automaker.

That could be particularly important for a vehicle like the E-Space.

Large electric family vehicles remain expensive because of their battery capacity, weight and manufacturing complexity. A lower-cost platform could allow Renault to offer a spacious electric vehicle without pushing pricing into premium territory.

The associated electric motor is also expected to provide significantly more power than the current equivalent, with output of up to 275 hp compared with approximately 220 hp.

Renault has also discussed a range-extender version of the architecture. According to the company’s earlier information, such a system could increase electric driving range from around 750 kilometers to as much as 1,400 kilometers.

If those figures ultimately make it into a production E-Space, the model could become an unusually versatile long-distance family vehicle.

Could the Renault E-Space Reach Production?

The biggest question surrounding the E-Space Concept is not whether Renault can build it, but how quickly.

Renault has demonstrated that its concepts can move from show-car status to production surprisingly quickly. The Renault 5 concept required around three years to become a production model, while the latest Twingo followed an even faster development program and reached the road in approximately two years.

The Twingo’s development was accelerated with assistance from Chinese partners, demonstrating Renault’s willingness to use international engineering resources to reduce development times and costs.

If the E-Space follows a similar path, a production version could potentially arrive in Europe within two years.

That would put Renault in an interesting position as demand for electric family vehicles continues to develop.

Renault Could Challenge the Volkswagen ID. Buzz

The most obvious competitor would be the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.

The German electric van has already demonstrated that there is still an appetite for vehicles combining retro-inspired styling with modern electric technology. Renault could take a slightly different approach with the E-Space, however, positioning it somewhere between a traditional MPV and a crossover.

That could make the Renault more attractive to buyers who want the practicality of a minivan without the commercial-van appearance traditionally associated with large people carriers.

It would also allow Renault to capitalize on the growing popularity of its retro-inspired design language.

The electric Renault 5 has already shown that the company is willing to revisit its heritage rather than simply abandon it. The E-Space could represent the same philosophy applied to the family-car segment.

The Espace Name Has Come Full Circle

There is an interesting irony in Renault’s decision to revive the Espace concept.

The Espace nameplate itself has survived, but the current-generation model is no longer a conventional MPV. Renault transformed it into a three-row SUV powered by an internal-combustion engine, reflecting the dramatic decline of traditional minivans in the European market.

The E-Space Concept effectively reverses that transformation.

Rather than turning the Espace further toward the SUV formula, Renault appears ready to return to the original idea: a highly practical family vehicle designed around interior space and flexibility.

Whether consumers are ready for that philosophy to return is another question.

But the success of vehicles such as the Volkswagen ID. Buzz suggests that there may be a market for something different from another conventional electric crossover.

Renault’s Paris Motor Show Lineup Goes Beyond the E-Space

The Renault E-Space Concept will be one of several major attractions on the company’s stand at the Paris Motor Show.

Renault is also expected to showcase the Gordini 8 electric coupe concept, giving the historic performance name an electric interpretation. The company will also introduce the electric Twingo subcompact featuring the new “Twingobay” panoramic glass roof.

Updated versions of the Scenic and Megane will add further substance to Renault’s growing electric lineup, while the 4 JP4x4 concept will provide another example of the company’s willingness to experiment with its heritage and future design direction.

For Renault, however, the E-Space could prove to be the most significant of them all.

The Electric Minivan Could Be Making a Comeback

The Renault E-Space Concept is more than a nostalgic design exercise. It represents a potentially important question for the European automotive industry: after years of SUV dominance, could the practical family MPV finally make a comeback in electric form?

The original Espace succeeded because it offered something conventional cars could not. Renault now appears to believe that the same principle could work again in the electric era.

With a 4.7-meter footprint, potentially up to 275 hp, an 800-volt electrical architecture and the possibility of extremely long-range range-extender technology, the E-Space could combine old-school family practicality with some very modern engineering.

If Renault can keep costs under control and move quickly from concept to production, the E-Space could become one of the most interesting new electric family cars in Europe.

And if the company really does put the original Espace alongside the new concept at the Paris Motor Show, expect the nostalgia factor to be just as powerful as the electric technology underneath it.

Source: Renault