Family cars have become awfully fond of pretending they are adventure vehicles. Renault’s E-Space Concept has a different ambition: give the family somewhere pleasant to sit. Preferably with cold drinks and something to play.
Revealed at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, this electric MPV revisits the original 1984 Espace. Renault designed the living space first, then wrapped it in bodywork and generous glazing. Judging by what is inside, that was time well spent.
If that sounds familiar, you may remember the Xiaomi Skynomad. Both concepts explore the idea of a car as a living space, though Renault approaches it through the family-friendly versatility of an MPV, and not so much for business or work, which Xiaomi proposed for its new electric SUV.
Six individual seats occupy a flat floor, accessible through opposing doors with no central pillar. The middle-row seats swivel through 180 degrees to face the rear passengers. Alternatively, they fold into a large table. That should make passing the snacks easier.
A sliding central console carries an air purifier, small fridge, video game controllers, and a conventional Connect 4 game. I particularly like that last detail. Not everything needs an app.
Rear passengers get folding trays with 12.3-inch screens, while the driver faces OpenR Panorama, a curved, non-touch display measuring 1,130 × 110 mm (44.5 × 4.3 inches). Separate swiveling touchscreens handle its functions, paired with a compact steer-by-wire steering wheel. Renault says the panoramic display will reach future Rafale and Scenic models.
The cabin wears rich shades of red, with quilted textiles, straw marquetry, and a 3 cm (1.2-inch) thick wool carpet. Shoes off would be tempting.
Outside, 23-inch wheels sit beneath clean MPV bodywork, with a movable front splitter for aerodynamics. It measures 4.70 × 2.02 × 1.67 meters (15.4 × 6.6 × 5.5 feet).
No power, battery, range, or production details are supplied. For now, it is Renault’s vision of family travel. A fridge, comfortable seats, and Connect 4? I think the family would settle in pretty quickly.
Images: Renault [FR].