SPY PICS: 2015 Renault Espace

Renault's ageing Espace people-mover is on the cusp of being replaced with an all-new model, and as these latest spy shots confirm, it will be significantly more stylish than the current model.

The 2014 Espace, which is not sold in Australia currently, features a boxy, top-heavy design. As is clear from the spy images, the new model exhibits a much sleeker, almost sporty aesthetic, and is likely to make its public debut at the 2014 Paris motor show in October.

The athletic seven-seat people mover is also being considered for sale locally, as Renault Australia's corporate communications manager Emily Fedayev explained.

"We're certainly considering it. We look seriously at all new models in the range and are in the process of evaluating it for Australia."

Currently available with a range of engines and gearboxes, both manual and automatic, Fedayev noted that several factors still needed to be weighed up before it could green light the new Espace for the local market.

"It would need to be right-hand drive for a start, plus we need to wait and see what gearbox options and what features are offered, and price is also a big factor," she said.

Despite the psychedelic camouflage, it's clear from the cold-weather testing spy photos that the vehicle's short overhangs, sleek new headlights with stylised LEDs and slimline brake lights have been directly influenced by the Initiale Paris concept shown last September at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show.

Based on Renault's new CFM1 modular platform, the 2015 Espace is expected to be significantly lighter than its predecessor while retaining six and seven-seat interior configurations.

The CFM1 platform will also underpin other Renault and Nissan vehicles in future.

Fuel-efficient four-cylinder turbo-petrol and diesel engines will power the new French transporter, which is expected to debut Renault's new Initiale Paris trim level, its range-topping super luxury line.

In future more Initiale Paris variants of different Renault models, such as the Laguna, will appear.

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