The Renault Espace as a mobile executive office
04/18/2018
Automobil Revue called a study presented by Zender at the IAA 1985 in Frankfurt a "mobile electronic executive office". The creation commissioned by Deutsche Renault AG was called the Renault Espace Telekomm 2000 Z.
The roofline was raised to create even more space. This was also necessary, as "state-of-the-art office computer and telecommunications technology" was to be installed, which was still quite extensive at the time. The computing power that would probably fit into a cell phone today practically filled the entire passenger area back then.
However, not only work was considered, but also pleasure. High-class entertainment technology was designed to provide optimum sound in the interior, and even a CD laser turntable and headphones were installed.
According to the press release at the time, if the boss and secretary were tired, they could watch a movie during breaks while the guest listened to music via headphones. And if they needed to communicate externally, a BTX manager telephone was available. There was no "Siri" back then, but there were two dictation machines.
A camera at the rear was designed to prevent spies from approaching the Espace unnoticed. And Albert Zender and his team in Mülheim-Kärlich even thought about simple reverse parking, with a Rangermaster with digital, analog and acoustic display to indicate the distance.
Of course, the extensively converted Espace was equipped with a powerful air-conditioning system, as you didn't want to sweat during the meeting.
At the time, the price was said to be over DM 200,000, which was probably a bit much, as the executive office Espace never made it beyond the study stage. Today, however, many of the visionary features are fitted as standard in much cheaper cars, or at least at extra cost.
