Details of Cars

Renault R-Space: the 2011 concept with doors that open without a B-pillar

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Renault R-Space concept
The Renault R-Space concept. Photo by Autoviva, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Renault R-Space is a concept small family car designed for the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, similar in size to the production Renault Mégane. It was designed by Renault’s design chief Laurens van den Acker and has handclap-operated suicide doors that reveal a single large opening without a B-pillar.

Renault R-Space at a glance

Renault R-Space key facts
Shown Geneva Motor Show, 2011
Type small family car concept
Size similar to the Renault Mégane
Design Laurens van den Acker
Doors suicide doors, opened by a handclap, no B-pillar
Engine 900 cc turbo three-cylinder, 107 bhp, 160 N·m
Gearbox twin-clutch automatic
CO2 95 g/km, about 76 mpg

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault R-Space.

History of the Renault R-Space

A family concept

The R-Space was designed for the 2011 Geneva Motor Show as a small family car about the size of a Renault Mégane, a five-door hatchback with front engine and front-wheel drive. Its concept came from design chief Laurens van den Acker, and its suicide doors open backwards to reveal a single large opening because there is no B-pillar.

Renault R-Space from another angle
The R-Space from another angle. Photo by Autoviva, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Running gear

The concept used a 900 cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine developing 107 bhp and 160 N·m, with direct injection and stop-start, mated to a twin-clutch gearbox. Renault quoted 95 g/km of CO2 and about 76 mpg, a top speed of 124 mph and 0–62 mph in 11 seconds, with a low drag coefficient of 0.28.

The interior

As a family car the interior had innovative features, including a floating dashboard design and a rear cabin designed for children, with motorised cubes that can change into shapes such as a booster seat and a table.

Design and features

  • Handclap doors: suicide doors that open to a single B-pillarless opening.
  • 900 cc turbo triple: 107 bhp with direct injection and stop-start.
  • Low emissions: 95 g/km and about 76 mpg in concept form.
  • Children’s rear cabin: motorised cubes forming a booster seat or a table.

Renault R-Space versions

  • R-Space (2011): the single concept car.

The R-Space was the size of a Renault Mégane, and other concepts of the period are on the Frendzy and DeZir pages. More Renaults are in the Renault collection.

Video: Renault R-Space concept presentation

Video by Renault Group on YouTube.

Sources

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