| Make
|
Renault |
| Model |
Espace
F1 |
| Concept
year |
1995 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
V10
F1 engine |
There have been many mad engine transplants done in the
past. However the Formula One V10 powered Renault Espace
MPV from 1995 has got to be one of the best.
The Espace F1 was created to mark the 10th anniversary
of Renault's involvement in the Formula One series. Despite
its boxy appearance the Espace F1 was in fact more closely
related to F1 cars than minivans.
Underneath the custom made carbon fiber bodywork was a
modified Williams F1 car chassis. Housed in the center
of the vehicle was a Renault RS5 40-valve V10 engine which
was upgraded to produce 800 hp - 100 hp more than the
race car produced!
Power was sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed semiautomatic
gearbox. Top speed of the Espace F1 - if you were brave
enough - was 194 mph. The 0-60 mph sprint was dealt with
in a mind blowing 2.8 seconds. In fact the Espace F1 could
reach 125 mph in less time than it took a Mazda MX5 (Miata)
of the same year to hit 60 mph.
The body of the Renault Espace F1 was actually surprisingly
similar to the standard Espace - relatively speaking of
course! The biggest changes included larger air intakes
up front, wider wheel arches and of course that massive
roof mounted spoiler.
Inside the Espace F1 kept its ability to haul passengers
- to a certain degree anyway. There were four individual
bucket racing seats with full race harnesses. The rear
seat passengers had to remember that those air intake
trumpets weren't actually cup holders.
Similar and related vehicles:
Renault DeZir
Renault Laguna Coupe
Renault Nepta
Renault Altica
Renault Fluence
Renault Wind
Renault Trafic Deck'up
Renault Egeus
Renault Twingo
Renault Kangoo Compact
Renault Racoon
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