This is the 1994 Renault Espace F1, a concept car that was based upon the second-generation Renault Espace (1991-1996 F, 1994-1999 PRC). This surreal machine made it’s official public debut in 1994 at the Paris Motor Show, and three total companies had a hand in the production of this vehicle, which were French multinational automobile manufacture, Renault, British Formula 1 motor racing rem and constructor, Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited and French industrial conglomerate, Matra. The Espace F1 was quite literally a combination of the large MPV (M-Segment) minivan Renault Espace, which was first produced in 1984, and is still in production today, and a Formula 1 racing car. The Espace F1 was developed as a way to celebrate both the 10th anniversary of the Espace model and Renault’s involvement in the Formula 1 racing world. The car was constructed using a lightweight carbon fiber F1-style chassis, combined with a carbon fiber Espace J63 body, which is a big change from the standard fiberglass used on the base model. The Espace F1 was powered by an upgraded version of the 1993 Williams-Renault FW15C formula 1 car’s 3.5L forty valve Renault RS5 V10 engine, which produces just around 789hp for this model. Although we mentioned this car is ‘one-of-a-kind’, that’s not entirely true. Two examples were built, however, only one of them is functional. The functional example is said to be stationed at the Matra museum in the Loire Valley in central France, while the static display model is reportedly part of Renault’s very own collection. Under the direction of designer Gérard Ducarouge, almost 30 years ago, the Renault Espace F1 was created, and to this day, it remains to be one of the most surreal machines ever created for driving, period.
How many made? 2, 1 concept, 1 prototype
Engine: upgraded version of the 1993 Williams-Renault FW15C formula 1 car’s 3.5L forty valve Renault RS5 V10 engine, which produces just around 789hp
Debut: 1994 Paris Motor Show
Top Speed: around 194mph
0-60mph: around 2.8 seconds
Photo credit: @cprn_cars
Research: @rarecarsonly