2026 Renault R Space Lab Concept
By Lorenzo Bianchi March 10, 2026
The 2026 Renault R Space Lab Concept previews Renault’s vision for next-generation “voitures à vivre.”
Modular one-box interior with reconfigurable seating and extensive glazing for a bright cabin.
Panoramic openR cockpit screen and human-focused technologies highlight Renault’s future digital ecosystem.
A Concept Exploring Renault’s Future Cabin Philosophy
The 2026 Renault R Space Lab Concept arrives less as a preview of a specific production vehicle and more as a working laboratory. The concept forms part of Renault’s futuREady strategy, a broader plan aimed at driving the brand’s next cycle of growth through electrification, new products, and expanded international reach.
Within that strategy, the R Space Lab focuses on something slightly different: the interior experience. Renault describes it as a demonstration of the brand’s “voitures à vivre” philosophy, a long-standing idea that vehicles should function as living spaces rather than simple transportation tools.
Rather than pointing directly to a production model, the concept explores how future Renault vehicles might adapt to the everyday needs of passengers through flexible interiors and intuitive technology.
One Box Proportions and Flowing Exterior Form
Visually, the R Space Lab Concept adopts a one-box architecture. The vehicle measures roughly 4.5 metres in length and 1.5 metres in height, proportions that allow Renault’s designers to maximize interior volume while keeping the exterior silhouette relatively clean and fluid.
The shape feels purposeful. Flowing surfaces run from the nose through the cabin and into the rear section, emphasizing the vehicle’s interior-focused concept. Thin pillars and frameless doors further reinforce that impression.
Through thin pillars and a windscreen that continues into a completely transparent roof, natural light pours in. Because of this, the area appears larger and more roomy than the vehicle's real dimensions might initially suggest.
A Panoramic Digital Cockpit
The cockpit's interior design reflects Renault's growing emphasis on digital integration.
The primary element of the dashboard is the openR panoramic screen, which covers the entire width of the cabin.
The display combines instrument data, advanced driver assistance features, and multimedia content into a single, intuitive visual interface.
Controls operate in a familiar way. Renault notes that many key functions can be managed through the central touchscreen in a manner similar to using a smartphone.
The steering wheel is deliberately compact. Combined with steer-by-wire technology, the layout frees up additional forward visibility while contributing to a more relaxed driving posture.
Artificial intelligence also plays a role. The concept explores in-car AI that could assist drivers with navigation, contextual safety recommendations, or general interaction with the vehicle’s systems.
A Cabin Designed to Adapt
If the exterior focuses on simplicity, the interior is where the concept becomes more experimental.
The R Space Lab features a modular cabin designed to adapt to different uses. The passenger seat, for example, can slide rearward toward the second row, making it easier to interact with rear passengers or a child in a car seat.
The rear area uses three individual seats of equal width, each with slightly reclining backrests to improve comfort. Folding backrests and flip-up seat cushions create multiple interior layouts, allowing the space to transform depending on cargo or passenger needs.
In certain configurations, the seats can slide forward to free enough space in the rear to transport larger items, even something as bulky as a bicycle.
Rear doors opening to 90 degrees further improve accessibility when loading or entering the cabin.
Renault’s Human Centered Technology Direction
Ultimately, the 2026 Renault R Space Lab Concept serves as a study of how vehicles might evolve over the next decade.
The project emerged from Renault Group’s Futurama innovation laboratory, which explores smart mobility solutions and next-generation interior environments.
The concept does not preview a direct production car. Instead, it demonstrates how Renault intends to shape the driving experience around people rather than hardware alone.
Bright interiors, flexible seating, and intuitive digital interfaces. Together they illustrate Renault’s continuing effort to design vehicles that function as living spaces as much as machines.