TWENTY years ago the first of a revolutionary new shape of motoring took to the roads of this country. Renault launched its first Espace, a five to seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle, an unheard of design for a car.

It was the start of the MPV, or people carrier, revolution. Today, the Espace is a common sight throughout the country, indeed throughout most of Europe.

But it did not receive its present day popularity without a huge struggle. In 1984 it was a design flying in the face of accepted motoring practices and people just could not come to terms with the look of a high-roof car, seating that could be swivelled or even removed, and with a driving position of a van. No surprise really that sales were slow from the off.

However, once the penny dropped that Espace was the French word for "space" and this meant plenty more inside for all - no cramped seats, plenty of leg and head room and loads of boot room, too - and it could still fit in the garage, sales really took off.

Many rival manufacturers have since copied the Espace's winning formula, but the model continues to hold on to its bestseller role.

This year, Renault is celebrating 20 years of Espace, and during that time there have been editions.

Also, while celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Espace has reached another milestone: the one-millionth vehicle having just rolled off the production line in France.

Well, having pushed the boundaries of conventional car design and created a car that met the changing needs of a rapidly-evolving society in 1984, Renault was bound to continue moving with the times, and with each successive version, the Espace has arrived with additional improvements in safety, driving pleasure and comfort, to such a measure that today it is seen by many as more than a match for any conventional executive car. It is truly a family car with style.

A 110hp 2.0-litre petrol engine,

followed shortly by an 88hp turbo-charged diesel, powered that first Espace. In the UK it had a price ticket of £9,990 and 217 were sold in its first six months. It took a year or so for sales to climb noticeably, but climb they did.

With European sales topping 192,000, the first generation Espace underwent a major facelift in 1988. All versions got a new front end, and a Quadra version was introduced with four-wheel drive. Design alterations were made to the second and third row of seats, and a more sophisticated climate control was introduced to help to clear the mugginess brought on by a compact body carrying up to seven passengers. It had an entry-level price of £16,940 in the UK.

From 1991 to 1996 Espace II production reached 316,518 with total production across the first two models topping the half-million mark in 1996.

The third-generation model, unveiled in 1996, brought an upmarket shift to keep it ahead of growing competition. The dashboard featured a central digital display for improved readability, and to meet the needs of customers wanting even more space, Renault launched a longer wheelbase version, 27cm longer, and called it the Grand Espace. By the end of 2001, sales of Espace III had reached 365,000, the cheapest model here priced at £18,995.

Latest versions of the Espace and Grand Espace went on sale early last year, adding a wider choice of V6 petrol and diesel engines, plus a steel structure that replaces the previous composite material bodywork. United Kingdom prices start from £22,700.

As a result, Espace IV has not only been given a five-star rating in the Euro car safety tests, but it also received the best score ever recorded because of its passenger safety features, such as seats with integrated seatbelts in all second and third-row seats.

Like the previous three models, Espace IV is proving to be a sales success: up a huge 115 per cent here in the first six months this year.

The role of the Espace has also moved into television, sponsoring the hit gangster series The Sopranos on Channel Four, but its most valuable call-up has been to be the official car for round-the-world yachtswoman, Ellen MacArthur.

Renault is one of the major sponsors behind Ellen's latest challenge planned for 2006, and that is taking the helm of a 75ft trimaran specially designed to try to break solo speed sailing records.

So it was appropriate that Renault UK invited motoring journalists to the south coast last week, during Cowes Week, to meet Ms MacArthur, and also to test drive all four generations of Espace models.

In a nutshell, the Espace has certainly moved on!

<bullet/> Renaults available locally at Dixon Renault, Clifton Moor, York. Tel: 01904 667300, and Barker Smith, Welham Road, Norton, Malton, Tel: 01653 693383

Updated: 16:03 Thursday, August 19, 2004