Renault Espace I

Make	Renault
Years of production	Phase 1: 1984-1988 Phase 2: 1988-1991
Production	191,694 copies
Class	People Carrier
Fuel	Gasoline , diesel
Engines	Douvrin engine gasoline : 1,995  cm 3 2 165  cm 3 Diesel engine turbo Douvrin : 2,068  cm 3
Engine position	Longitudinal front
Displacement	1995 to 2165  cm 3
Maximum power	110  ch
Maximum torque	16.6 mkg to 3000 rpm  Nm
Gearbox	5 speeds
Unloaded weight	1,995 kg
Maximum speed	179 km / h
Mixed consumption	10L per 100 km on average L / 100 km
Bodywork (s)	5 doors
brakes	discs at the front and drum for the back
Length	4,250 mm
Width	1,780 mm
Height	1,700 mm

The first-generation Renault Espace is a French minivan- type car designed by Matra , which manufactures it in Romorantin and is sold by Renault . Composite materials are widely used for its bodywork. It arrived on the French market six months after the beginning of the pioneer of the genre in the United States , the Chrysler Voyager , it had sold more than one million copies since its launch.

History 

In 1979, Philippe Guédon CEO of Matra Automobiles . One idea interests him in particular, to transpose the concept of the American "van" to the European market. Indeed, following a trip to the United States, he became convinced that the future of the automobile will come through the appearance of recreational and family recreational vehicles. The success of the Rancho comforts him in his opinion. Matra is gradually moving from being a sports car manufacturer to a staggered vehicle manufacturer .He leaves to Antoine Volanis (stylist of the future Murena and the Matra of the 1970s) the care to make him a proposal. In one weekend, he creates what will be known as the orange drawing. The forms are elegant, dynamic, personal; far from the utilitarian image of the American van. It is a three-door automobile with advanced steering over the front wheels. 

The Peugeot-Talbot prototypes: P16, P17, P18 

In March 1979, plans defined a more traditional design. The transverse engine passes to the front and the rows of seats are in the classic position. Advanced driving has been abandoned for safety reasons. The car is 4 meters long. The P16 project was born. In June 1979, a full scale model is produced, followed by a hollow model with a complete interior layout. It recognizes the headlights of Peugeot 604 . Between the two models, the drawing evolved, the raised roof is abandoned. The rear seat is from the 604. The steering wheel comes from the Matra Murena . The bodywork is based on a Talbot 1510 / Talbot Solara base . The P16 project can be presented to the staff of PSA in November 1979. The reaction is positive despite the surprise of the leaders facing this original proposal. New proposals are requested. Matra will evolve the concept in two directions.The P17: car much more compact than the P16. The length goes from 4.18  m to 3.84  m . The wheelbase is 2.52  m . This track is not retained, the vehicle is not considered enough space, it's practically the size of a Renault Modus in 2007 .The P18: it is 4.18  m long over a wheelbase of 2.60  m . The front overhang makes it look wider than Space. The P18 sports a carpet that goes up on the dashboard. In October 1981, the bodywork is final, evolutions are imagined: van, pick-up in case of lack of success of the sedan, conversion to utility would be possible.

The project becomes P23 in October 1982 , it evolves a lot, on the one hand because Antoine Volanis left Matra, and on the other hand, because the base that Matra uses is that of the Renault 18 , a front wheel drive longitudinal (the 1510 / Solara and the BX have a transverse motor). The wheelbase is reduced to 2.55  m , the front overhang is lengthened. The P23 takes its front train to the Fuego (close to the R 18). It is presented to the CEO, the technical director and the product director of the management by Philippe Guédon in December 1982.The forms of the P23 are relaxed at Renault and the prototypes of April 1983 display the almost definitive forms. A flat floor is adopted, combined with removable seats: in case of commercial failure, a utility version will enhance the vehicle. 

The development needs to accelerate for a launch in the spring of 1984 . In June 1983 , Renault and Matra signed a cooperation agreement providing for the "study and production by Renault of Renault vehicles of vehicles marketed by Renault's European network". In January 1984 , pre-production models came out of Matra chains in Romorantin . The series models are manufactured from March 1984. The Matra P23 is codified at Renault "J11".

The launch of Space was presented to the press in April 1984 for commercialization in July, after the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager marketed in 1983 and imported to Europe in 1988 . A car that can carry up to 7 passengers at 180  km / h , in a remarkable comfort with a Cx of 0.32. Its ingenious modularity surprises, we can remove the 5 rear seats, or have only 3 and turn the front seats to create a lounge for 4 people at a standstill. It is 18  cm shorter than an R18 but is more spacious.. The high driving position gives a new sense of security.

Two finishes with the Douvrin engine  of 1 995  cm 110 hp carburetor: 2000 GTS and 2000 TSE. The 2000 TSE adds a spoiler with fog lights, 14-inch light alloy wheels (same model as Renault 25, but R25 in 15-inch), electric mirrors, remote-controlled locking, a cloth (fabric on GTS) and a carpet of the highest quality at the 2000 GTS. Colors available in 1984: granite flag and rocker in brackets.

Opaque colors:

• Beige Atlas 163 (Brown);
• Green Yucca 967 (Gray).

Metallic varnished colors:

• Cinnamon Brown 174 (Brown);
• Carnelian Red 742 (Brown);
• Iceland Blue 447 (Gray);
• Gray Titanium 647 (Gray).

Interior fabrics according to external colors:

• if brown granite, beige interior: fabric (GTS) and sheet (TSE);
• if gray granite, gray interior: fabric (GTS) and sheet (TSE).

The appellations 

• J112: "Douvrin engine" model type J6R, 2.0 carburetor, GTS finishes, TSE, 2000-1.
• J115: models with "Douvrin engine" type J8S, 2.1 diesel, Turbo-D finishes, Turbo-DX, 2000-1.
• J117: models with "Douvrin engine" type J7T, 2.2 injection catalyst, finishes GTX, TXE, 2000-1.
• The J116 with non catalyzed injection engine 2.0 will only be introduced with phase 2 in 1988.

Dimensions:

• length: 4.25  m  ;
• width: 1,777  m  ;
• height: 1.66  m  ;
• wheelbase: 2.58  m  ;
• weight: 1,195  kg

Suspensions:

• front train: MacPherson type;
• rear axle : semi-rigid axle with torsion effect in open clover section guided by two longitudinal arms and a Panhard bar . No need for anti-roll bar thanks to the torsion effect. It is a Matra creation designed to ensure the best possible road holding both in empty and in load.

Frame :

• cage made of pressed steel sheet treated by hot-dip galvanizing. 30 kg of zinc is deposited  on a layer of 65 microns. The rigidity is improved by 60% in torsion and 20% in flexion. The frame is as covered with a continuous stainless weld. Improved rigidity allows the use of even thinner sheets than originally planned.

Bodywork:

• Monovolume in laminated polyester and fiberglass panels, with 4 doors and a tailgate. The 2000 TSE versions have an aerodynamic spoiler under the front bumper with additional headlamps, as well as roof racks. The front and rear optics come from the Renault Trafic utility . The profile of the flanks is inspired by R9 and R11 . The door handles also come from the R9 / R11 duo.

Interior design 

The rear seat is replaced by three independent seats with lap-shoulder safety belts. Two positions are possible on this row. In the boot, there are slots for two additional seats. These seats are reclining, folding and removable. In TSE finish, the front seats can rotate on themselves, they are original R9 / R11. The dashboard is symmetrical with elements of the central console borrowed from the R9. Just like door handles, cranks, and grab handles. The glove box is accessible from above the dashboard .

Evolution of Space Phase I 

Launch of the turbodiesel variants. Turbo D and Turbo DX with a 2,068  cm  of 88 hp. These versions have a prominent grille and an extended front bumper.

Appearance of a high-end version ( E3 ) named 2000-1 for gasoline and diesel models. The rear wheel arches are surmounted by armrests concealing storage space. The upholstery is in striped velvet (front seats from the R11 Turbo and fabric type Fuego Turbo). This name is a nod to the film of Stanley Kubrick  : 2001, A Space Odyssey .Other improvements will be made until the redesign of P23 in 1988 ( Taxi G7 version , ambulances, company vehicles ...).

In January 1988 the Espace Phase 2 is presented. The ends are modified with more rounded specific front and rear optics (and more in line with the current Renault style). The front bumper incorporate as standard over the range a lower spoiler than before.The tailgate is thicker and rounder, the opening handle goes under the license plate. The grille is more prominent. The length goes to 4.36  m , an extension of 10  cm .

The range is modified. It revolves around four engines:

• 1,995  cm ³ with 103  hp carburetor in 2000 GTS;
• 1,995  cm ³ injection 112  hp in 2000;
• 1 995  cm ³ injection 120  hp in TXE injection and 2000-1 injection (Douvrin engine type J7R);
• 2 165  cm ³ injection cat 110  hp in TXE injection and 2000-1 injection (Douvrin engine type J7T);
• 2,068  cm ³ turbo diesel of 88  hp in TurboD, TurboDX and 2000-1 (Douvrin engine type J8S).

Appearance of a four-wheel drive version called Quadra. It is available on TXE and 2000-1. It is an all-wheel drive with an ultra-light transmission shaft made of composite materials to prevent excessive over-consumption. The overweight is only 75  kg , the performance is almost unchanged. The gain in adhesion is appreciable.

Inside an additional anchorage allowing to move a little more the seats of the last rank is added. This is possible thanks to the deeper and curved tailgate. Each finish has a new upholstery.The range remains unchanged until 1991. A special 2000-1 Connolly series was launched in January 1990 with an interior entirely made of gray Connolly gray English leather and Pluto specific gray paint, it also has mattresses.

A pneumatic rear suspension with attitude correction is available as an option on the high-end versions in April 1990. The last P23 Generation Space comes out of the Matra channels in January 1991. The career of its successor P36 can begin.

Space P23 will have sold 191,674 copies. Its sales will be increased from 2,703 in 1984 to 46,257 in 1990. Its production will be increased from 23 per day to more than 210, counting the factory Alpine in Dieppe complement in June 1987. The built space have Romorantin an oval plate with the serial number starting with T; those mounted in Dieppe starting with K. His reign in Europe and especially in France was undivided, the real rivals appearing in France only around 1989: Chrysler Voyager , Ford Aerostar .

Production figures P23  (output of assembly lines):

• 1984: 5,923 copies (of which 2,703 sold);
• 1985: 14,083 copies;
• 1986: 19,320 copies;
• 1987: 23,584 copies;
• 1988: 31,798 copies;
• 1989: 44,458 copies;
• 1990: 47,420 copies;
• 1991: 5 108 copies.

Special versions of Space 

US versions 

• In June 1984, Renault adapted a copy to US standards for protection and lighting. The flush optics of the Renault Trafic are replaced by sealed beam optics framed by a chrome piece. She would have done well in the middle of the American range alongside the Alliance, Encore and Fuego, especially against the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan.

• Space was given to American Motors Corporation (AMC) to Americanize the style of the vehicle. AMC was the car brand bought by Renault in 1980 to distribute its cars in the United States. This project was canceled after the abandonment of the US export project in January 1987 and the sale of AMC to Chrysler.

Space V6 biturbo: 1987-1988 

Matra develops a prototype of P23 motorized with a V6 PRV , equipped with two turbochargers and a volumetric compressor, developing 300 hp. The idea is to make a Space that can go as fast as the prototype R21 Turbo having broken a record on a frozen lake in Scandinavia. The vehicle had to be ready for the 1988 Paris Motor Show. The positive displacement compressor was to start at 3000-3500 rpm and the two turbochargers took over. The study is done in partnership with Bouhier Engineering. The project was stopped in the first quarter of 1988 by Renault because it did not correspond to the image of the "car to live", Renault's slogan of the time. Matra hastily studied another vehicle, the P38 project, based on the mechanics and running gear of the Renault 19 16S, which became the M25, which was not ready for the show.

Finishes (1984-1991) 

The Renault Espace are coded according to their finish:

• E1  : entry level finish
• E2  : mid-range finish
• E3  : high quality finish (from June 85)

Space I phase 1 from 1984 to 1987:

• 2000 GTS (2.0 carb) and 2000 GTX (2.2 injection cat): E1
• 2000 TSE (2.0 carb) and 2000 TXE (2.2 injection cat): E2
• 2000-1 (2.0 petrol and 2.2 cat injection): E3 (as of June 1985)
• Turbo-D (2.1 diesel): E1
• Turbo-DX (2.1 diesel): E2
• 2000-1 (2.1 diesel): E3 (from June 1985)

Space I phase 2 from 1988 to 1991:

• 2000 GTS (2.0 carb) and 2000 GTX injection (2.0 injection and 2.2 injection cat): E1
• 2000 TSE (2.0 carb) and 2000 TXE injection (2.0 injection and 2.2 injection cat): E2
• 2000-1 injection (2.0 injection and 2.2 injection cat): E3
• Turbo-D (2.1 diesel): E1
• Turbo-DX (2.1 diesel): E2
• 2000-1 (2.1 diesel): E3
• Quadra finish E1  : 2.2 injection cat (GTX Injection ) (Germany-Austria-Switzerland)
• Quadra finish E2  : 2.0 injection or 2.2 injection cat (TXE Injection )
• Quadra finish E3  : 2.0 injection or 2.2 injection cat (2000-1 Injection )

In total, 1,245,000 copies, all generations of Espace, have been produced in 30 years.