The Renault Sport-developed unit doesn’t turn the MPV/crossover into a sports car, though
Renault has updated its flagship minivan for the 2017 model year, with the main modification being the addition of the Renault Sport-developed 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine.
That's the same engine featured in the Alpine A110 sports car, albeit in a less powerful state of tune. As its name reveals, the Energy TCe 225 unit delivers 225 metric horsepower compared to the A110's 252 hp, while torque is down to 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) from 320 Nm (236 lb-ft).
Still, equipped with this engine and a standard seven-speed EDC dual clutch automatic transmission, the Espace is reasonably quick for a minivan. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds, making it a second faster than the Espace equipped with the previously-available Energy TCe 200 EDC powertrain.
Average fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions are rated at 6.8 l/100 km and 152 g/km CO2 according to the New European Driving Cycle, making the Energy TCe 225 EDC 8.5-percent thirstier than the engine it replaces, the 1.6-liter Energy TCe 200 EDC. The rest of the engine lineup remains unchanged and consists of two diesel units: the Energy dCi 130 and Energy dCi 160 EDC.
Styling-wise, the 2017MY Espace doesn't bring significant updates: Renault has given it a new body color (Titanium Grey) and two new wheel options (18- and 19-inch). Inside, the Espace gets new equipment such as ventilated front seats, Graded Sable Grey leather upholstery, new interior LED lighting, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for the R-LINK 2 infotainment system.
Finally, Renault is also offering an Executive version of the Espace based on the range-topping Initiale Paris trim level. The main change includes replacing the three second-row seats with two individual seats that are heated and benefit from four-way electrical adjustment.
The lounge-style seats offer a special "comfort" position that allows passengers to stretch their legs completely. The Espace Executive also gets a second center console between the second-row seats and a modified boot configuration.