New Renault Espace at the 2014 Paris Motor Show

New Renault Espace MPV revealed in Paris – but it won't be coming to UK showrooms

    This is the new Renault Espace, presented at the 2014 Paris Motor Show today.

    Auto Express can confirm the new production-spec Espace won’t be sold in the UK, because Renault bosses decided during the car’s development that sales of large, seven-seat MPVs weren’t strong enough in Britain to justify engineering the car for right-hand drive.

    And although the final design has morphed from a people carrier into something that looks like a crossover, which UK buyers love, the car’s platform prohibits a right-hand-drive conversion. So, despite a positive reaction to the design, there’s no chance of the Espace appearing on these shores, even when it’s facelifted.

    This is unfortunate, because as was obvious on the stand in Paris, the latest Espace is a very attractive car. The swoopy profile, fluid lines and more rugged appearance could help Renault take the fight to the Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan X-Trail. 

    Details are scarce, but Renault claims the Espace will be offered in five and seven-seat versions, and will feature an "occupant-friendly cabin" with a floating centre console. The interior is also claimed to feature "ingenious modularity" and extra practicality over the smaller Grand Scenic.