Renault Espace

Road test

Renault likes to sponsor corporate events throughout the year and, being the free-loading scumbag journalist that I am, I like to go. Sometimes that means being picked up and dropped home in a chauffeur-driven Espace, and that's a good thing.

Last time, I was glad to see it was an Espace. It was fitted with the gigantic full-length sunroof. It was a clear night, so I spent a lot of the time in the back seat just staring at the moon and the stars.

I asked the driver to open and close both the internal roof cover and the glass a few times, just so I could watch it work - sad, but engrossing. And special.

Though not everything was perfect back there - the rear seats are mounted too low - it's still a proper event, riding in an Espace. And even five years after this shape was launched, it's still right up there with the brand new Ford Galaxy as large MPV class-leader.

It was strange being given an Espace to drive. I had to constantly stop myself hopping into the back seat. It's not brilliant behind the wheel, but not bad.

The steering has zero feel, but it's light and direct; the body is mostly made of glass - including the roof on this one - so it creaks and twists over even the slightest surface change. The ride can be a bit crashy, too. But no matter. With all that glass, Espacing is a great way to travel.

It has a new 2.0-litre diesel engine, and it's very torquey and useful. I'm looking forward to sampling it from the back seat on many occasions this year. I accept, in advance.

Bill Thomas