- The R-Space Lab gets a passenger seat that slides back to the second row.
- Front and curtain airbags are installed in the seats.
- It has three identical individual rear seats.
The Renault R-Space Lab is a concept vehicle used by the automaker to explore new approaches to interior design and how a vehicle can be used. The project was developed within the company’s internal innovation platform, Garage Futurama, which reviews vehicle concepts for a period beginning around 2030.
At first glance, you might be tempted to call it the new Megane or even the rebirth of the Espace minivan. However, according to the manufacturer, the model is not directly related to the planned production vehicle. Rather, it is intended to illustrate the core idea of Renault’s “voitures à vivre” philosophy—vehicles designed around the needs of everyday users—in a possible future form.
The interior focuses on a highly digital cockpit layout. A curved OpenR Panorama display stretches across the entire width of the dashboard, combining driving information, multimedia functions and instructions from driver assistance systems. Most controls are handled via the central touchscreen.
Photo by: Renault Communications
The concept is equipped with a compact steering wheel with steer-by-wire technology, eliminating any mechanical connection to the steering system. Renault is also evaluating additional safety features, including a tactile alcohol tester aimed at young drivers. The company is also testing artificial intelligence applications, such as support for digital safety assistants or personalized adjustment of vehicle functions.
The cabin is designed with flexibility in mind. The vehicle uses a compact one-box layout measuring approximately 4.5 meters (14.8 ft) long and approximately 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) high. By integrating the passenger side airbag into the seat, the dashboard remains free from additional components. This creates space for a glove box that can be configured and function as storage or fold up as a shelf. The front passenger seat can be moved further back to facilitate communication with rear passengers.
Photo by: Renault
At the back, there are three individual seats of the same width. The seat back can be folded down, while the seat cushion can be folded up. Combined with the flat floor, it creates a cabin that can be reconfigured for a variety of needs. Depending on the layout, additional cargo space can be created—for example, for bicycles—or space for larger items in the rear seating area. The rear doors open to 90 degrees for easy entry and exit.
The large glass area determines the impression of space. The windshield flows into a glazed roof. Slim body pillars and frameless doors are intended to open up the cabin and let in more daylight. With this concept, Renault examines how spatial design, usability and digital features can be combined in future vehicle concepts.
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Source: Renault
Motorcycle Pickup1: Renault is the latest to use a full-screen dashboard and yoke-like steering wheel. Whether that’s truly the future remains to be seen, but we hope the minivan-like interior modularity will carry over to the production model.
The styling is a departure from Renault’s retro styling seen on the Twingo, 4 and 5. It could be a sign that, if the Espace returns one day, it will look to the future, not the past. Bold new people movers like the Avantime might get more people back to minivans.
