Renault has refined the enduring appeal of its luxurious Espace for 2011, with subtle styling revisions, greater levels of equipment and lower pricing, from £24,495 and savings of up to £3,005 available.

With more than 1.2 million sold in the last 26 years, the Espace continues to attract customers through a winning combination of interior flexibility, luxury and refinement. These values are enhanced still further in the latest version, principally through new equipment and revised diesel engines. Renault’s emblematic MPV now comes with LED technology, while its new headlights harmonise with the striking new Pearl Blue body colour and gloss black exterior trim details. On the inside, it also now benefits from the Carminat TomTom® Live real-time satellite navigation system.

In keeping with the times, the CO₂ emissions of the core-range dCi 150 engine have been slashed by 18g/km from 188 to 170g/km, thanks notably to work on combating friction and carefully-selected gear ratios.

A new range structure makes Espace’s emblematic positioning as a practical, high-end MPV even easier for customers to understand. The Dynamique TomTom delivers a high standard of safety and comfort-enhancing features which match the expectations of families and business users seeking seven identically comfortable seats and a modular interior layout. Its extensive list of features includes sport-style upholstery featuring extra side support and exclusive Teflon® protection, the fully-integrated Carminat TomTom® Live navigation, as well as a new gloss black interior trim.

In addition to the high levels of core equipment, one of Espace’s key strengths, its almost limitless modularity, remains intact, thanks to 10 aluminium tracks in the floor which enable the interior and boot space to be adapted in line with the number of passengers and luggage being carried.

On the outside, the headlights now incorporate LED daytime running lights and the range of seven body colours includes a new, striking Pearl Blue. Renault Espace’s premium positioning is further underpinned by its new 17-inch Eptius and Novadis alloy wheels.

Befitting a premium model designed to carry its occupants in unrivalled style, a wide range of options are available to customise its interior and exterior look to serve even the most discerning tastes. Other notable options includes an opening tailgate window for £320, bi-xenon directional headlights at £650, and the perfect accompaniment for children, a DVD system with two 16.9” screens integrated into the rear of the front headrests for £1,500. Lastly, thanks to a vast surface area of 2.46 square metres, the electric panoramic glass sunroof at £1,300, provides an exceptionally bright cabin and impressive view out for all passengers.

An optional, lavish Initiale Lux Pack is also available for £3,500 on the top-of-the-range Grand Espace dCi 175 Auto FAP. Among its many items are multi-functional TunePoint for portable music players, Carminat TomTom Western Europe mapping, metallic paint, front parking sensors and full leather upholstery. Rounding off its array of features and, in keeping with the opulent ambience, four rear seats with armrests are fitted in place of five, for even greater levels of space.

Renault Espace’s powertrain range has also been modified following the introduction of Euro 5 legislation. The two-litre dCi diesel is available in a choice of two power outputs: dCi 150 and dCi 175, the latter mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The combined cycle CO₂ emissions of the core dCi 150 engine has been reduced by 18g/km from 188g/km to 170g/km, thanks principally to work on combating friction and revised gear ratios. Versions with automatic transmission boast welcome emissions savings, too, and now claim just 189g/km of CO₂.