Hot Wheels is producing the Renault Espace F1 minivan equipped with a V10 engine.

      Hot Wheels is set to add Formula 1 cars to its lineup, but there’s another F1-inspired model on the horizon that’s much less mainstream than a championship-winning single-seater. It’s the 1994 Renault Espace F1 concept, which occupies the unlikely crossover of F1 and minivans.

      At first glance, a Renault Espace may not seem particularly exciting. The original design was created by Matra as a possible successor to the Rancho and was initially pitched to Peugeot, who declined it. Citroën did the same, leading Matra to sell the project to Renault. The first-generation Espace made its debut in 1984. Large, roomy, and adaptable, the Espace was France's counterpart to the Chrysler Town & Country, dominating the family vehicle market for decades and effectively shaping a new segment.

      However, the model joining the Hot Wheels collection isn’t your typical second-generation Espace filled with cereal and sporting worn-out window tint. It’s the Espace F1 concept that was showcased at the 1994 Paris Motor Show to mark the model’s 10th anniversary. Developed in collaboration with Renault, Matra, and Williams, it boasts a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V10 engine derived from the Williams FW15C Formula 1 car.

      The name Espace, which translates to "space" in French, is fitting given the vehicle’s spaciousness. While Renault could have incorporated a V10 into a standard production model, the construction of this concept started almost entirely from scratch. Low to the ground and exceptionally wide, it’s constructed from carbon fiber and aluminum and includes four bucket seats. It is a fully operational vehicle, rated at around 800 horsepower and capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds. Notably, Alain Prost drove the Espace F1 on track multiple times during the 1990s, while Jean Ragnotti showcased it at the 2002 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

      This brings us, albeit indirectly, to the toy section of your local grocery store. A Reddit user named Skoda-Superb-Matter shared a photo that appears to be the final version of the 1/64-scale Espace F1. So far, we’ve only seen one image, but it seems the super-van is as precise as a Hot Wheels model can be. The proportions and the two-tone paint look accurate, although the roof-mounted spoiler is painted the same color as the body instead of black. The details, including the air vents and the “Espace F1” decals on both sides, are present. The source of the image is unknown, but it appears credible. Additionally, Hot Wheels has teased a new Espace F1 model set to be released in 2024.

      The Hot Wheels Renault Espace F1 is expected to arrive in stores (and hopefully on my desk!) in the upcoming months.