LE MANS miniatures Renault Espace F1

Specifications :

• Body : Polyurethan resin
• ABS chassis plate
• Turned metal rims
• Inline crown and axles branded Slot-it
• Weight : 164 g

The details that kill : The drawing of the heating system on the rear window, all carbon parts made of decal sets and Ducarouge's sunglasses.

The Espace F1 is a prototype created by Renault and Matra. It is presented at the Paris Motor Show in1994 to commemorate the 10-years anniversary of the Renault Espace.

It has the general shape of the Espace II. At this time Renault was European leader on the minivan market all the more it is the only one manufacturer of this kind of vehicle.

Contrary to the Espace II made of fiberglass, the body of the Espace F1 is made of carbon fiber and the chassis is in carbon with a cellular aluminum structure. Four ventilated carbon break disks operate the braking of the 1300 Kg heavy car. The dashboard is a carbon-fiber replica of the road car’s dashboard.

Fitted with RS5, 10 cylinders in V of 3500 cm3 and 40 valves such as a 6-speed semiautomatic gearbox on steering wheel spokes, the Espace F1 is such called because this engine is either the one of the Williams FW15C that raced in Formula 1 the previous season. The bucket seats look like the Formula 1 seats. Belt up tight thank to a three point fixation seat belt, the four occupant are stuck in the bottom since the car can reach 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and the top speed can reach 310/320 Km/h. The slick tires are F1 Michelin tires.

The bottom and the doors of the cars are carbon row on the ¾ of their high and strongly contrast with the metal yellow with pearly green of the body. A huge wing overhangs the roof.

Only two examples have been built. The first one is exhibited in Matra’s Museum in Romorantin. It ran on tracks and it is the one we chose to reproduce. It opened the Formula 1 GP of France in Magnicours in1995. The front air intakes are bigger than on the second one and the safety locks are obvious on the front hood.

The second one is kept by Renault’s collection in Flin. The air intakes on the front bumper are surrounded with aluminum; the rims have a different design, and look like lenses.

The driver whom we chose to put at the steering wheel is Gérard Ducarouge. French engineer specialized in the motor sport he marked the Formula 1 during 20 years. He begins his career at Matra Sport in 1972 then joins Ligier and Alfa Roméo and then Lotus in 1983. And he ends his career at Matra, a return to basics during which he works on different projects as manager of the international development. It is under its aegis that begins the development program of the Espace F1.