Test drive by Renault Espace since 2006 Minivan
Fast, big, comfortable
These three words can be described by Renault Espace 3.5But to say only three words means to rob the car. To deprive Espace of a special style and charm, which he undoubtedly possesses. And how can you omit an extraordinary feeling of comfort and almost home comfort that you experience when leaving - especially on a slush day - in this aquarium on wheels? Panoramic windshield, transparent racks, large side glass (there is also an option - a huge hatch) create an illusion of an open flight. No, this minivan deserves attention, especially if it is endowed with an engine with a volume of 3.5 liters, which, as you know, sets in motion and sports 350z and a number of models of partner companies in the Renault - Nissan alliance.
Maximum space
The very name of this model, as it were, guarantees scope in the cabin. It cannot be otherwise, because Espace is able to take seven people aboard. Moreover, the rear passengers account for as many living space as guaranteed to those who are located ahead. And the seats are the same, even those that, if there is no need, are folded in the luggage compartment, are also sheathed with skin, equipped with three -point belts and injured head restraints. By the way, in testing according to the EURONCAP Espace method, I received the maximum five stars. It has eight airbags, a system for preventing slipping from the seat during the accident and many others that allows you to feel protected in the car. Initially, Espace was developed as the largest family minivan. But since its appearance in the market, it began to be in good demand among corporate customers. However, from this point of view, and among the competing models, he will appear in a review of the minivans, which will be released in the AI-Fleet application along with the next newspaper number. Now I will draw the attention of the reader to the fact that the car offers many options for transforming the salon. So, having turned the front seats 180 degrees and folding the backs of the middle row seats, you can turn Espace into a cozy cabin, or a business center, if you like. And, removing all seats, in a roomy van with a cargo compartment with a useful volume of 2860 liters. Plus, in the cabin there are more than quite different compartments and niches for any little things like discs, road maps or bottles with soft drinks and sandwiches. They are located in the front panel, in the doorway, in the sidewalls next to the third series of seats - everywhere. And the total volume of clothing boxes and departments is 100 liters.
As for the driver’s place, the wide range of adjustments of the seat and steering wheel allows you to get as convenient as possible, although I did not immediately manage to achieve it. Of course, a high landing does not allow you to forget that you are in Minivan, but in all other respects the difference in comparison with the usual sedan or hatchback is practically not noticeable. Yes, and the steering wheel is located almost vertically, it is not too large in diameter, it is convenient to twist it. Let once we already talked about this model, you should not at least briefly mention the front panel, which still looks modernist, despite the appearance of many new models in recent years. Someone will not like such a combination of devices, but personally I have nothing against the narrow and stylish, stretched almost from the rack to the rack of the liquid crystal display. Data on speed, speed, fuel supply and coolant temperature are excreted on it with a pleasant blue color, and these data are clearly visible both day and night. Perhaps the display is overloaded with information - there is the data of the on -board computer, the thermometer, and hours, and indicators, but there is no need to read all this data constantly, and the speedometer informs about the speed with large numbers.
Smooth move
By the way, in order for the display to come to life, you need to insert a key card into a special slot. Now you can touch the Start/Stop button, and the mighty V6 will come to life. This engine disperses the almost two -ton car not just cheerfully, but damn fast. If you give him free rein, the numbers on the electronic scoreboard somehow imperceptibly become three-digit. But even with rapid acceleration, you will not leave you a sense of comfort for a moment. Yes, it is comfortability that is the main advantage of Espace. It has an amazingly smooth move. On such a car, it is good to go on a distant voyage with the whole family or in a good company. Fatigue will not be taken by surprise, and you can not even pay attention to some thoughtfulness of the automatic gearbox. And if you really want to, you can switch programs manually.
But every medal has the opposite side. Since in Espace everything is indeed subordinated to comfort, the pendants are soft, the rolls in corners are very noticeable. But I would never attribute this to the shortcomings of the minivan: he is not obliged to argue with sportsmen, although, I repeat, he has excellent dynamic potential. And the settings of the steering are designed rather for an impressive ride, and this should also very well arrange the owner. But the brakes, on the contrary, are tenacious in sporting, they allow you to besiege the car at any speed. The only thing I did not like was to be too close to the pedals to each other. After all, not only I have a wide foot What would I also note - acoustic comfort when moving at any speed, the sound of the engine flies into the salon only at high speeds, and the tires barely rustling, recalling speed. Yes, I almost forgot about a standard audio system with a compact disc player. In itself, it can be said to correspond to the level of the car, but the fasteners of the speakers to the plastic skin, or the plastic itself in the sidewalls is somewhat upset: at high volume, rattle is heard. This misunderstanding of any music love, of course, can easily eliminate, but, you see, it is better if it were done at the factory.
In conclusion, I note that the tested espace tested is the most powerful in the range, and it is offered at a price of $ 53,999.
Text: Oleg Osipov
