ALREADY one of the top in its class for safety and style, the New Renault Espace range now offers more class-leading engine technology with a wider choice of transmissions, more safety features and a new top-of-the-range model.

On the mechanical front, a new 130bhp 2.2dCi 16V common-rail turbo-diesel engine - the first ever 16-valve engine to be seen in the MPV sector - replaces the 115bhp indirect injection turbo diesel unit. This makes it the most powerful diesel engine in the top-range MPV segment.

The G9T 2.2 dCi 16V engine employs the latest diesel engine technology - common rail injection, 16-valve cylinder head, and a variable nozzle-turbocharger, with approximately 95 per cent of components new compared with the previous unit.

Its maximum power of 130bhp allows the top speed to rise from 109mph to 114mph while acceleration from 0-62 mph takes 12.4 seconds compared to 14.5 seconds previously.

This improved performance is accompanied by a lowering of fuel consumption. With 39.8mpg in a mixed European test cycle, the 2.2dCi engine has a 4.5 mpg improvement over the 2.2 dT, while CO2 emissions are reduced by 12.5 per cent to 189 grammes from 216 grammes.

The existing 140bhp 2.0 16V VVT (variable valve timing) petrol engine is now available with Renault's Proactive four-speed automatic gearbox.

This, and all other automatic Esp-aces, benefit from the gear selector being moved to the floor from its previous mounting on the steering column. The 194bhp 3.0 V6 24V petrol engine remains the range-topping engine in the 2001 Espace range, and comes fitted as standard with the Proactive automatic transmission.

The Espace range already boasts extensive safety equipment which includes anti-lock braking system (ABS), four advanced SRP airbags including driver, front passenger and front lateral airbags and fingertip remote control for the sound system.

For 2001 there is an uprated braking system with a full complement of four disc brakes on all models.

Renault's innovative seatbelt load- limiter system - PRS - has been uprated to be available on all six outer seat-belts, with pre-tensioners on the two front seatbelts, making it unique in its class.

Espace becomes the first vehicle in the Renault range to receive new trim model names the previous trim levels Alize, RT-X and RXE become Authentique, Expression and Privilege respectively, while a new top-of-the-range model - Initiale - is added.

There are new interior treatments which include new trim materials and the use of Alcantara, leather and cloth to trim the dashboard, door panels and seats.

Outside, there are changes too, giving the vehicles an exciting new look. The Espace benefits from two new wheel trim designs - there is Orion for the 15-inch wheels of the Authentique version and Estoril 16-inch alloy wheels on all dCi, Privilege and Initiale models.