by "Amoore100" (amoore100)
Published 01/18/2017 at 22:38
by "Amoore100" (amoore100)
Published 01/18/2017 at 22:38
Tags: Generation Gap
; Renault
; Espace
STARS: 1
Welcome to Generation Gap where we ask you about your favorite generation of a certain multi-generational car nameplate. Then, explain why your choice is right to the rest of us uneducated folks.
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Last week we took a look at the Nissan Quest, one of the quintessential minivans rooted in the childhood of many American millennials. Today, we cross the pond to take a look at what Nissan’s French partner has offered over the years.
When it was first introduced in 1984, the Espace was revolutionary. Inspired by a Chrysler one-box concept in the ‘70s, Matra developed the “Dessin Orange”, literally, an “orange drawing” done by Antoine Volanis which foreshadowed the upcoming Espace. After troubles with PSA, Matra took the whole shebang to Renault who let Matra build it until 2002. Today, the Espace has evolved from an MPV to a Chevy Traverse-equivalent. Which do you prefer? The original “Dessin Orange” or the new Murano-esque crossover ?
The options:
Espace I (1984 - 1991) w/ facelift
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Espace II (1991 - 1997)
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Espace III (1996 - 2002)
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Espace IV (2002 - 2014) w/ facelifts
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Espace V (2015 - Present)
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"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
01/18/2017 at 22:42, STARS: 2
I know nothing about this vehicle, but I vote 1st gen because those wheels.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
01/18/2017 at 22:45, STARS: 2
Latest gen looks best. But the second gen is what Top Gear used to make their convertible people carrier with.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 22:46, STARS: 0
Those wheels are so ‘80s!
If you’re curious at all, I’d say the second gen was a sweet spot. So good that Top Gear made one into a convertible...
...and Renaultsport put a V10 in the back of another!
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
01/18/2017 at 22:46, STARS: 1
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The one featured in this video
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 22:47, STARS: 1
And this happened to the second-gen.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 22:48, STARS: 0
Rightfully so. The Grand Espace was much better.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
01/18/2017 at 22:48, STARS: 1
First gen because first gen wheels ftw.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 22:52, STARS: 1
‘80s Renault was an exciting time.
"Svend" (svend)
01/18/2017 at 22:54, STARS: 1
I always wanted a third gen Renault Grand Espace.
"MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle)
01/18/2017 at 22:59, STARS: 1
i was sold by the grill on the first one
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 1
Me too. The proportions are just right, and it has that futuristic spaceship feel. Also, it was the last Matra design.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 0
Me too. The proportions are just right, and it has that futuristic spaceship feel. Also, it was the last Matra design.
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
01/18/2017 at 23:02, STARS: 1
Fun fact: The Espace F1 is available for viewing at the Matra Museum in Romorantin-Lanthenay, France.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:02, STARS: 0
It was supposed to be a Talbot grille if we’re being pedantic. That’s why the first facelift happened—to make it more “Renault-like”.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:02, STARS: 0
It was supposed to be a Talbot grille if we’re being pedantic. That’s why the first facelift happened—to make it more “Renault-like”.
"Svend" (svend)
01/18/2017 at 23:05, STARS: 1
I remember seeing them for the first time and thinking they looked like Japanese bullet trains.
The sheer amount of space inside made you feel like you were in a low roof van.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:06, STARS: 0
Ahhh, that’s one of my must-go’s along with the Saab, Volvo, and Lane Motor Museums. Oh, and the German ones but that’s kind of a given!
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:08, STARS: 1
What does it for me is that it’s the closest thing to an actual BMW-Italdesign Columbus that’s ever been built.
Nowhere near as awesome as the Ital, but still pretty cool.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:08, STARS: 0
What does it for me is that it’s the closest thing to an actual BMW-Italdesign Columbus that’s ever been built.
Nowhere near as awesome as the Ital, but still pretty cool.
"Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition" (realasabass)
01/18/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 1
1st Gen. It’s a cool Aerostar before the Aerostar was introduced.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 0
Just an awesome, FWD, stick shift one with a living room in the back.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 0
Just an awesome, FWD, stick shift one with a living room in the back.
"Svend" (svend)
01/18/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 1
What? No love for the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, Warwickshire?
https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/
There’s also Beaulieu (pronounced ‘byou-lee) who have a good James Bond display.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:28, STARS: 1
A Bicester Heritage Sunday Scramble has to be on the list too! Darn it, I need to find the time, money, and someone to go with to all of these! :D
"Svend" (svend)
01/18/2017 at 23:28, STARS: 1
Oh no, that thing is ugly.
Looks like someone used Picasso as a design influence for a car.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:30, STARS: 1
Ugly doesn’t even begin to describe it, but mid-mounted BMW V12! It’s basically a Mclaren F1 for seven!
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And yes, someone most certainly has ;)
"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
01/18/2017 at 23:48, STARS: 1
Lane is awesome. My wife and I went there on the 7th. It was her first time and she really enjoyed it. We paid the extra fee to do the basement tour and it was worth it. Our guide, I believe Dan was his name, is very knowledgeable and can spout off info on just about every vehicle there. He also knows Torch pretty well since he’s been there several times to do videos.
"Svend" (svend)
01/18/2017 at 23:53, STARS: 1
Ye’, the Picasso isn’t a looker either.
V12s don’t do much for me I’m afraid.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/18/2017 at 23:58, STARS: 1
Yep, the Xsara Pic was so ugly that I’d argue that it almost passed into Multipla-style charm.
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Well sure the V12 isn’t the greatest engine design, but it’s in a van!
"Svend" (svend)
01/19/2017 at 00:07, STARS: 1
I think the Multipla is better looking than the Skoda Roomster.
To quote an old saying, ‘it’s not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean’.
My Piglet has a 148bhp 1.4TSi engine and it’s perfectly adequate for the job.
Stuff like the Bugattis and Ferraris really don’t give me (to quote Captain Slow) ‘the fizz’.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/19/2017 at 00:12, STARS: 1
Indeed. Roomsters always reminded me of the ‘90s Nissan Ad Maxes, basically Sentras with a big box on the back.
Yep, 168 hp 2.4i here (probably less because it’s old and has 154K on it). Working brilliantly.
Same, but it is an impressive packaging feat if nothing else to get that V12 under the floor. For me, though, it’s finding the weird and wonderful that gives me a tingle.
Like who knew the ‘90s Renault Safrane is literally a turbo away from being a French 850R?!
"Svend" (svend)
01/19/2017 at 00:53, STARS: 1
I like when someone makes something outlandish either as an exercise or for the sheer hell of it.
Nissan Juke R, 2.0 600hp GTR engine.
Nissan QashQai R, 4.1 1,150hp GTR engine.
Ford Transit, 640hp Jaguar XJ220 engine.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/19/2017 at 01:04, STARS: 1
Ahh, that Jagvan gives me the fizz every time. Watching it do Goodwood every year is so awesome.
"Svend" (svend)
01/19/2017 at 01:08, STARS: 1
I’m going to have to get myself down to Goodwood sometime.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/19/2017 at 20:21, STARS: 1
Sounds great! I can’t wait, definitely hope to get there within the next decade or so...