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It’s been almost 40 years since Renault launched the first Espace. The pioneer would achieve great success. Not only did it establish the van segment in 1984, it also sold hundreds of thousands of vehicles over five generations. Recipe for success: Lots of space at an affordable price. The Espace was soon followed by numerous other MPVs. Be it the Chrysler Voyager, Seat Alhambra, Opel Zafira or VW Sharan, they came, they saw and they made the manufacturers’ safes ring.
But after the heyday of practical family transporters in the 1990s and early 2000s, SUVs gradually took off and vans gradually lost their dominance in the family segment: as recently as 2006 they had achieved sales of 2.3 million in Europe. Its market share was 15 percent. . Today, vans still account for a 2 percent share, with around 200,000 units sold annually. And of all companies, Renault hired its former pioneer this year. There’s still an Espace – but the sixth generation is now available at dealerships in the form of a large SUV.
Asia as a trendsetter
But Renault’s decision was perhaps too hasty, as minibuses are currently experiencing a renaissance. There are two reasons for this: MPVs have been booming in many Asian markets for years. For example, in China, the world’s largest automobile market, almost one million vans were sold in 2022. But instead of affordable family cars, vehicles in the Far East are generally luxuriously equipped shuttles that solvent customers can chauffeur around the ever-crowded inner cities of megacities. As a place to escape from busy daily work, the minibus has decisive advantages over a straight limousine: it offers more space, allows an upright seating position and is therefore ideal as an office on wheels.
However, there are also technical reasons for the return of vans. With the advent of electromobility, more and more automakers are relying on skateboard platforms with large battery packs between the axles. The flat vehicle floor and huge wheelbases open up previously unimagined possibilities for room layout. Autonomous driving also benefits large-capacity sedans: Once we no longer have to sit behind the wheel, cars can become a second living room.
Asia to Europe
It’s no wonder that even sports brands like Alfa Romeo and Porsche are considering van concepts of their own. Audi is already toying with a luxury sedan on wheels, and presented its Urbansphere study as part of the Beijing Auto Show last year. Other manufacturers went further and began offering new large-capacity limousines not only in the Far East but also in Europe. We provide an overview of which new models are already on the market or will be released soon.
Lexus LM
The Luxury Mover LM from Toyota’s luxury subsidiary Lexus is the epitome of a new generation of minivans designed for Asia’s major cities and also coming to Europe. The 5.10 meter long LM is available not only as a seven-seater, but also as an extremely luxuriously equipped four-seater, with a 48-inch mega-screen and reclining seats that can be adjusted in various ways. The 250 hp luxury shuttle with full hybrid drive arrives at dealers from 149,900 francs.
Hyundai Staria
Hyundai brought the futuristic Staria to Europe in 2022. The minibus not only resembles a spaceship, but with a length of 5.25 meters it offers ample space for up to nine passengers. The 177-horsepower turbo diesel, which Hyundai may replace with an electric motor in a few years, doesn’t quite fit the sci-fi look. Prices for the Staria as a nine-seat wagon start from 39,900 francs, while the more stylish, premium seven-seat version starts from 59,000 francs.
Maxus Mifa 9
At the beginning of November, the Mifa 9 from the Chinese manufacturer Maxus celebrated its Swiss premiere – the first vehicles are already on our roads. The 5.27-meter-long luxury electric shuttle offers space for up to eight passengers and can travel up to 440 kilometers on a single battery charge (90 kWh). Charging is done with a maximum of 120 kW on a DC fast charger, and drive is provided by a 245 hp (180 kW) electric motor located on the front axle. Prices for Maxus Mifa 9 start from 65,900 francs.
Volvo EM90
Volvo’s Chinese parent company Geely knows what’s wanted at home: The EM90 electric luxury minivan is scheduled to be launched in China at the beginning of 2024. The living room feeling in the 5.21 meter long six-seater car is provided by comfortable air-conditioned seats, a 21-speaker sound system and a 15.6-inch screen that folds out from the ceiling. Powered by a 272 horsepower electric motor and weighing almost 2.8 tons, the EM90 can travel up to 600 kilometers thanks to its mega battery (109 kWh). It is not yet clear when Volvo will bring the luxury minibus, whose price is over 100,000 francs, to Europe.
Yoyah the Dreamer
Dreamer is representative of a host of new luxury shuttles that will soon be heading to Europe. Chinese brand Voyah burst onto the Swiss scene with the stylish electric SUV Free at Auto Zurich at the beginning of November. The 5.31 meter long Dreamer will follow next year. The rear end of the four-passenger VIP version with elegant business class seats is particularly wonderful; There is also a seven-seat version of the 435-horsepower electric minibus, which can travel at a speed of approximately 600 kilometers. It is still unclear when and at what prices Dreamer will be released.
VW ID. Buzz
VW’s electric van hit like lightning. The XL version will be available in other markets besides the USA and China starting next year. The 4.96 meter long electric bus comes with six or seven seats; It is particularly stylish with its two separate rear seats instead of a three-seat bench. The base XL version produces 286 hp as a rear-wheel drive vehicle, followed by an all-wheel drive version with 340 hp. ID thanks to the larger 91 kWh battery. Buzz XL can travel up to 490 kilometers. It starts in spring 2024, with prices starting from at least 75,000 francs.
Solution
Anyone who has already declared Vans dead is now being proven wrong. But thanks to e-mobility and new needs in Asian markets, airless family movers have become desirable luxury shuttles. Time will tell whether they will celebrate similar success in Europe.
Source: Blick
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
