The Matra/Renault Espace


Matra/Renault Espace specs.

Since the Espace was produced over almost 20 years, there were obviously many different models, and its almost impossible to list them all. However, the number of engine-versions used is somewhat easier to list. I have made this table, but please don't take the content for the ultimate truth, as I can easily have mixed things up, or forgotten things. The table is here to give you an overview. If you spot mistakes, please mail me, so I can fix it.



Year Phases Engine specifications
model Start End 1 2 J63 JE Avantime Type Capacity bore/stroke Carb hp at-rev Torque at-rev km/l
DIESEL















2.1 td 1991 1996
2 J63 4cyl row 2068 86x89 Turbodiesel 88 4000 185 3000 14-15
2.2 dt 1997 2002
JE 4cyl row 2195
Turbodiesel 113 250 16
2.2 dci 2000 2002
JE 4cyl row 2195
Turbodiesel 130 4000 290 2000 14.2
1.9 dci 2002 2003
JE 4cyl row 1870
Turbodiesel 98 14.7
2.2 dci 2002 2003
Avantime 4cyl row 2195
Turbodiesel 150

















PETROL















2000 1985 1991 1 2 4cyl row 1995 88x82 W 32DARA 109 5500 163 3000 11-12
2000-TXE 1985 1991 1 2 4cyl row 1995 88x82 Inj. 120 5500 168 4500 12-13
2.2i 1985 1995 1 2 J63 4cyl row 2165 88x89 Inj. 110


9-11
2,0 1997
JE 4cyl row 1998
Inj. 114 175
2.0 16v 1999 2002
JE 4cyl row 1998
Inj. 140
2,0 16v turbo
2002
JE? Avantime 4cyl row 1998
Inj. 163

















2.9v6 1986
2 J63 7ZW V6 90deg 2849 91x73 Inj. 150 5400 163 2500 7-9
3.0v6 1997
J63 JE Z7X V6 90deg 2963
Inj. 167 7-10
3.0v6 24v 1998 2001
JE L7X V6 60deg 2946
Inj. 190 8-10
3.0v6 24v 2002 2003
Avantime L7X V6 60deg 2946
Inj. 207

The Espace-F1

According to a Matra-Transport engeneer, it goes from 0km/h to 270km/h and back to 0km/h in 600 meters !


Engine capacity bore/stroke carb. HP/rev Torque Nm/rev weight [kg] 0-100km/h [s] 0-200km/h [s] top speed [km/h] fuel cons. [km/l]
Espace F1 V10 Renault/Williams RS4 3500cc V10 40 valves ? inj. enough (800hp) enough (705Nm) ? 2.8 s 6.3 s 310.4 woops

... and there are 4 bucket-seats and amble space for the luggage - definately the fastest family-car around - you need to strap the luggage down a fair bit however, as the car will pull up to 2g in cornering. :-)


Models

In general there were 3 levels, entry, middle and top-spec: RN, RT and RXE - later given names like "initiale", "expression" and the top-spec "privilege". There was also a "The Race", which commemorated the round-the-globe sailboat race, and thus had a stylized worldmap in the fabric of the seats. (sorry, "the Race" has unfortunately nothing to do with Le Mans etc, - but we can of course always claim that anyway :-) )
As the versions imported into different countries furthermore differ, the modifications mentioned below are obviously only guidelines - I haven't got a complete overview.

RN Models

  • 5 speed Front Wheel Drive
  • Power Steering standard
  • Optional: ABS
  • Optional: Pivoting front seats
  • Optional: Air Conditioning
  • Optional: Self Levelling rear suspension

    Modifications:

  • May 1993 - All V6 cars fitted with 4 speed Auto as standard, remote central locking standard, fully reclining 2nd and 3rd row seats not standard. Self levelling suspension no longer available.

  • September 1994 - Revised driving position

  • February 1995 - Drivers air bag now standard

  • June 95 - 7 seats now standard, and V6-RN no longer available


    RT Models

  • 1991 - Production models available
  • Specification as RN but with..
  • Front foglamps
  • Tachometer
  • Remote central locking
  • Reclining rear seats
  • V6 Models have Alloy Wheels
  • Optional: Air conditioning

    Modifications:

  • September 1994 - Revised driving position


    RXE Models

  • 1991 - Production models available
  • Specification as RT but with..
  • Metallic paint
  • Alloy effect wheel trims
  • Electric rear windows
  • 6 Speaker Hi-Fi

    Modifications:

  • October 1992 - V6 RXE cars fitted with air conditioning and ABS as standard

  • September 1994 - Revised driving position

  • February 1995 - Drivers air bag now standard


    My Matra/Renault Espace image gallery of originals

    My Matra/Renault Espace image gallery of specials

    Links to other interesting pages:
  • The NCAP test which brought fame to the Espace
  • Espace links
  • Grand-Espace links
  • Sony demo car - HiFi, Playstaion-2 etc etc

  • www.matrasport.dk Lennart.Sorth@matrasport.dk