- Unique prototype

- Particularly innovative technology, turbine-electric hybrid

- Well-preserved condition

- No reserve

In 1990, an agreement was signed between the French government and the two car makers Peugeot and Renault for “a research programme for a clean and economical motor vehicle”. The (ambitious) goal was “to research an electric road vehicle with performance similar to conventional current vehicles” and a range of 500km. The programme received financial support from the government and was complemented the following year by another programme, ‘VERT’ (an acronym in French for ‘Turbine-powered Electric Road Vehicle’).

It was as part of the latter programme that this hybrid Espace III, with its particularly innovative technology, was developed. Using a hybrid drive system, it was equipped with electric motors and provided a range of about 100km on battery power alone. To increase the range, a gas turbine, installed in place of the original petrol engine and running at 90,000rpm, drove an alternator which in turn recharged the batteries.

Properly looked after and fitted with a computer, but missing some of its electrical equipment, this Espace is an experimental prototype which is not in running order and cannot be registered for use on the road. It represents, however, a remarkable testament to the different paths that were explored to limit the pollution caused by motor vehicles.