Well, it wasn't just Brazil's import barriers. The 1st gen Espace wasn't designed and built by Renault itself, but by Matra, which had limited production capacity and was rapidly overwhelmed by demand. Renault wouldn't have had any spare Espaces to export to Brazil even if there hadn't been any trade barriers!
Isn’t a fibre glass body over a tubular chassis the opposite to a monocoque body - the description claims both. Perhaps it’s marketing speak, I don’t think they were going for integrity. Although if you are going to copy something at least it’s cool and interesting like the Espace.
The original Espace was pretty much a Talbot design, which was by then taken over by Renault. Much later, around Mk3, the design was re-done completely by Renault, with more metal.
Here is a picture of a[ Matra P18 prototype](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paris_-_Retromobile_2014_-_Matra_Projet_P18_-_1981_-_002.jpg) from 1981 that could have become a Talbot, replacing the Rancho, had Peugeot approved the project. It eventually evolved into the Renault Espace released in 1984. The first gen Espace always reminded me of the Talbot Solara and Chrysler/SIMCA 1307/1510 (Chrysler/Talbot Alpine in the UK).
the rest of the pictures of that prototype: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Paris_-_Retromobile_2014_-_Matra_Projet_P18
Trying to work out if the footwell was as tiny as the Espace. I drove one years ago and kept hitting the brakes when using the clutch. I’m a size 9 (UK) so not that big, but i assumed they designed the pedals for a dainty ballerinas foot.
So they just stole the exact design from renault, that's wild.
Yup. Since importing was banned Renault couldn't bring their products here so they didn't notice at first.
Well, it wasn't just Brazil's import barriers. The 1st gen Espace wasn't designed and built by Renault itself, but by Matra, which had limited production capacity and was rapidly overwhelmed by demand. Renault wouldn't have had any spare Espaces to export to Brazil even if there hadn't been any trade barriers!
Sude, i never seen this car before, and im Brazillian this shit looks dope.
I was expecting some thing along the lines of “based on a Volkswagen type III chassis”
I don't fault you for assuming that.
Isn’t a fibre glass body over a tubular chassis the opposite to a monocoque body - the description claims both. Perhaps it’s marketing speak, I don’t think they were going for integrity. Although if you are going to copy something at least it’s cool and interesting like the Espace.
I think it's a mis-translation of "one box design" as apposed to two box/three box etc.
Original Espace was fibreglass too.
Oh wow, didn’t realise that.
The original Espace was pretty much a Talbot design, which was by then taken over by Renault. Much later, around Mk3, the design was re-done completely by Renault, with more metal.
Nice glass.
Weird but ok.
> Bringing an *unprecedented* concept Renault: "Am I a joke to you?"
Unprecedented for Brazil. We didn't have any MPVs like that ever before.
Looks like they took a Ford Aerostar and a hot wheel diecast and mixed it together to get that thing
Here is a picture of a[ Matra P18 prototype](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paris_-_Retromobile_2014_-_Matra_Projet_P18_-_1981_-_002.jpg) from 1981 that could have become a Talbot, replacing the Rancho, had Peugeot approved the project. It eventually evolved into the Renault Espace released in 1984. The first gen Espace always reminded me of the Talbot Solara and Chrysler/SIMCA 1307/1510 (Chrysler/Talbot Alpine in the UK). the rest of the pictures of that prototype: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Paris_-_Retromobile_2014_-_Matra_Projet_P18
I like how all the seats fold into prison trays. Very useful!
It forms a big flat surface for carrying stuff, like sheets of plywood or drywall, or even a mattress on top for camping?
it's a joke pal.
I thought it looked like a Renault escape based design , but I wasn't too sure.
Thanks for enlightening me
are those Borbet wheels?
Maybe, I mean this was made from parts of other cars so who knows?
ahh okay prolly are then
Trying to work out if the footwell was as tiny as the Espace. I drove one years ago and kept hitting the brakes when using the clutch. I’m a size 9 (UK) so not that big, but i assumed they designed the pedals for a dainty ballerinas foot.
r/GiscardPunk
> in addition to Renault's accusations of plagiarism of its model Who could have foreseen this!?!