Renault R-Space

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Renault R-Space

This is the Renault R-Space, an MPV concept that was unveiled at the Geneva motor show today and which is described by its makers as 'sexy'.

A 4.25 metres long and 1.85-metres wide, the R-Space is designed to give every occupant ample room without being unwieldy on the road. Renault says the front seating area is designed to be driver orientated, while the rear space has been developed as a play space for children.

Design touches to improve the cabin ambience likely to make production in a toned down form include a large windscreen and full length panoramic roof, both of which have proved popular with buyers of rival cars such as the Citroen C4 Picasso.

Designs less likely to be seen on the car you will be able to buy include many of the cabin materials, which include suede and which Renault says are inspired by the theme of 'a family Sunday breakfast'.

The double doors, made possible by the absence of a traditional b-pillar midway along the car, highlight the car's practicality and are described as 'production possible', although cost and safety implications must be overcome.

The R-Space doesn't just hint at how a future production MPV could look, but also showcases Renault's future engine and drivetrain plans. The R-Space is powered by the Renault Energy TCe concept, a 108bhp turbocharged three-cylinder 900cc petrol engine, linked to a fuel-efficient Dual Clutch transmission.

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The combination will be on sale from next year, albeit most likely in smaller cars initially, and, with 118lb ft of torque, is said to provide the performance of a 1.6-litre petrol engine. The R-Space's official 0-62mph time is 11 seconds.

Combined with fuel-saving technology such as stop-start, it averages 63.5mpg and emits 95g/km of CO2.

Economy is also boosted by a system that tells the driver how efficiently he or she is progressing, and which offers fuel-saving driving advice by, for instance, detecting when traffic lights turn from green to red and advising the driver to stop accelerating.

The R-Space is the third Renault concept designed by new design chief Laurens van den Acker to be displayed in the past 12 months.

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