MPVs are back, and they’re cool again. The new, electric Renault E-Space Concept has been revealed at the 2026 Paris motor show, and it looks absolutely epic. Oh, and we did predict that this would happen, by the way, when Ginny got a scoop from Renault’s design team when she went to see the Gordini earlier this year.
The E-Space Concept is the French brand’s successor to the original 1984 Renault Espace, and is the latest in a line of modern-retro remakes that Renault has used to completely reinvent its electric car lineup. The hugely popular Renault 5, Renault 4 and Renault Twingo have already shown how European brands can successfully lean into their heritage with modern EVs.
The Renault E-Space Concept keeps the trademark boxy styling of the Mk1 Espace, and even has similar dimensions at 4.7-metres long, 2.0-metres wide and 1.67m tall. Renault is keen to point out how the continues the same slanted line as the bonnet, for the ‘TGV train’ silhouette. And that sounds like marketing speak, I know, but I actually think I can really see that similarity!
Designers have also taken inspiration from Bauhaus design, and have used that to help incorporate the big ‘glass house’, which is designer speak for how the car has big windows and slimmer pillars to maximise light and visibility.
The whole car has that ‘single box’ feel, which makes it very different to SUVs – like the Peugeot E-5008 and Mercedes GLB Electric – that may be considered a rival to the new, electric Renault E-Space when the production car arrives. Although I’d say that the excellent Kia PV5 is the closest rival, being our favourite electric MPV.
What’s the Renault E-Space Concept like inside?
Big! The rear-hinged doors are unlikely to make it to production, and I’d expect the six individual rotating seats that feature in the concept to go in favour of a more practical seven-seat layout. Although Renault could well offer a variety of seating layouts, rather like you get with the Kia PV5 and VW ID.Buzz. The concept allows the middle seats to rotate and either face the rear seats for a conference layout, or they can fold completely so that they form a large table for the two seats in the third row.
With the second row seats facing forward in the Renault E-Space Concept, passengers have folding tables as well as 12.3-inch screens - and I can tell you that I’m much keener to see the tables make production than the screens.
Up front there’s a new full-width screen called ‘OpenR Panorama’. This screen isn’t touch sensitive, and is placed as close to the road as possible to make it look like it’s floating and to keep the readout in the driver’s line of sight. It’s controlled via a couple of touchscreens that float around the steering wheel in the E-Space Concept. Renault has confirmed that this new infotainment system will appear in its forthcoming cars including the Rafale and Scenic.
What range does the new Renault Espace get, and when does it go on sale?
Well, don’t forget that this is a concept so it’s all design-focussed right now, but Renault has said that it will introduce LFP battery chemistry across its electric car range. Other than that, we don’t have any information on the battery, range and charging for the electric Renault E-Space just yet! Sorry.
If I were to have a guess, I’d expect Renault to offer a shorter range model with an LFP battery, and a longer-range model with an NMC battery, offering around 250- to 350 miles of range.
We also don’t know when the Renault E-Space Concept will go on sale, as no details have been confirmed, but I expect to see the production car next year with sales beginning in 2028. I just hope that the new, electric Espace makes it to the UK as the last generation Renault Espace was never sold in the UK due to a distinct lack of interest from buyers.
Given how cool this E-Space Concept is, and given renewed interest in MPVs, the Electrifying team has got everything crossed that the new reinvented electric Espace will come to the UK as well as Eurpean markets.
The Renault E-Space Concept takes inspiration from trains with its swivelling, folding seats 
