What BMW is with the legendary X5 V12 Le Mans, Renault is with the crazy Espace F1! And compared to the X5 (E53) with 700 hp thanks to the V12 engine from the victorious Le Mans prototype BMW V12 LMR, the French car is even more powerful. But also much more striking! BMW only used a central exhaust system, stylish two-tone BBS alloy wheels and slightly modified aprons and a hood with air vents on the X5. Renault, on the other hand, has mutated the Espace into an ultra-wide bodybuilder. It was built as a thank you for 10 years of Espace and three constructors' titles in Formula 1. But let's first look at the technology of the vehicle from the 811s. The one-off model actually has the 10 hp V1 naturally aspirated engine from the Formula XNUMX of the time.
only 2,8 seconds to 100 km / h
The engine accelerates the family van to 2,8 km / h in just 100 seconds (with traction control) and should make drivers of a current Porsche 911 GT2 RS, a Ferrari 488 GTB up to the limited Lamborghini Aventador SVJ look old. The cooperation of the Williams F1 team and the French company Matra (Back then built the standard Espace) under the direction of designer Gérard Ducarouge is probably the craziest and fastest thing Renault has ever created for the road. With an unladen weight of just 1,1 tons, not only is the sprint to 100 km / h spectacular, but in particular the infinite force is also measurable. 200 km / h can be reached in less than 7 seconds and the top speed is estimated at 300 to 310 km / h with the built-in gear.
Williams built the carbon chassis
By the way, Williams was responsible for the carbon chassis, the mechanics and the aerodynamics and Renault donated the phenomenal engine and a lot of budget. And the interior has been completely emptied and equipped with four carbon bucket seats. In the middle sits the 67-degree V10 naturally aspirated engine, with a displacement of 3,5 liters and 40 valves, which is an insane 160 decibels loud when driving "INSIDE". In the Formula 1 racing car, the engine developed "only" 790 hp at an insane 14.700 rpm and in the Espace prototype the output is even higher with 811 hp and a maximum torque of 705 Newton meters. By the way, it is shifted using the six-speed semi-automatic from Williams, which was installed behind the engine in the trunk. In order to change gears, the driver does not have to crawl backwards, but can easily shift up and down using small buttons on the steering wheel. The contact with the road is made by special central locking aluminum turbofans and slicks in the format 270/360 which are intended to enable lateral acceleration forces of up to 2g in curves.
Widebody kit and monster wings on the roof
And, of course, the Espace is equipped with a specially designed chassis that brings a lowering and the brake system is also adapted to the force with carbon fiber brake discs with a diameter of 355 millimeters in front and 280 millimeters in the rear. But in addition to the technology, the look is an absolute highlight as we find it. At the front, the Espace has significantly enlarged air intakes and a front wing, there was widening of the body all around and the driver and front passenger doors were slashed with huge gills. At the rear there is a powerful diffuser and on the roof a huge wing that generates a lot of downforce. Add the two-tone paint and you're done. Even today the Espace is still crazy on wheels as we think! If we receive further information about details in a timely manner, there will of course be an update for this report.
(Photo / s: car-revs-daily.com)
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