With the introduction of the all-new Kangoo, Renault’s Australian commercial vehicle range, which includes the Trafic mid-sized van and the space-conquering Master, is now complete.

Recognised as a leader of commercial vehicle manufacturers in France and Western Europe, Renault has a sound reputation for producing well-designed, attractive and efficient commercial vehicles. Since the launch of the first-ever Kangoo in Europe in 1997, Renault has manufactured over 760,000 Kangoos. With the release of the Series 2 Kangoo in 2001, the vehicle’s popularity continued to build and in 2003 Renault sold almost 110,000 of the compact vans and claimed 26% of the segment.

The Renault Kangoo has been chosen by many fleets around the world as its preferred vehicle – including the British Gas Company, and the Swedish, French, German and Spanish Postal Service - testimony to the flexibility and sound reputation of the vehicle.

The Kangoo’s fresh-faced styling adds to its appeal. Elliptical headlamps, a plunging bonnet with central crease and a front grille with horizontal slats reflect the Kangoo’s cheeky personality and guarantee that the vehicle stands out from of its bland competitors.

Powered by the same 1.6-litre 16 valve engine found in the Renault Clio hatch, the Kangoo generates 70 Kw of power at 5,000 rpm and a handy 148 Nm at a standard 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission – the only compact van in the Australian market to offer this option.

In addition, all automatic transmission Kangoos add the latest generation Bosch 8.0 ABS anti-lock brakes and EBD (electronic brake distribution) as standard features.

In Australia, the Kangoo will be offered in one highly equipped variant, including features previously unknown in this segment. Standard appointments include power steering, compact disc player, air-conditioning, heat reflective windscreen, remote central locking and electric mirrors and windows.

Safety equipment offered on the Kangoo includes driver’s side airbag, seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, front disc brakes, ABS and EBD (standard on automatic versions, optional on manual versions), collapsible steering column, reinforced and padded doors, protective steel-reinforcing bars around the driver’s seating area and an innovative flexible front spoiler to enhance on-road stability.

Optional equipment includes an additional steel sliding door – with or without windows, fog lamps and a versatile rear flap with optional glass above the barn doors which further extends the cargo area.

But the real test of any commercial vehicle is in the flexible use of space and cargo carrying capacity and here the Kangoo delivers in spades. With a payload of 600 kilograms and a storage width of 1.17 metres, the Kangoo offers usable cargo space of 2.75 square metres. Easy access to the cargo area is assured, with a low loading sill of 535 millimetres, 180-degree opening rear barn doors and a standard side sliding door. Four anchorage points on the floor ensure any load can be safely secured.

Just as important to any fleet operator are maintenance and servicing costs, and once again the Kangoo doesn’t disappoint. In line with Renault’s overall aims of offering attractive, competitively priced and operator-friendly products to the market, the Kangoo comes with an innovative servicing policy. Major services are at 30,000 km intervals with minor service intervals (oil change) at 15,000 km and all Renault commercial vehicles are back up by a three-year, 100,000 kilometre warranty.

The fashion-conscious Kangoo comes in a range of attractive colours, including glacier white, lemon yellow, Caribbean blue, cherry red (metallic), carmen red and cosmic grey (metallic).

Priced at just $18,990* for the manual-transmission variant and $21,490* with the four-speed automatic transmission, Kangoo offers an excellent economical addition to the compact commercial vehicle segment.

According to Renault Australia’s Manager for Commercial Vehicles, Adam Le Fevre, the all-new Kangoo is destined to attract a lot of attention from business fleet operators. “With its high levels of passenger vehicle comfort, long list of standard features and the first-time offering of an automatic transmission in this segment, the Kangoo will appeal to all purchasers considering a compact commercial vehicle,” Mr Le Fevre said.

Rudi Koenig, Renault Australia’s Director of Operations, welcomed the addition of the all-new Kangoo to Renault’s Australian commercial vehicle range. “Following the outstanding success of Renault’s CV sales in Europe, we are very pleased to present the range here in Australia. With its big brothers the Trafic and Master, we can now offer a comprehensive product line-up for Australia’s commercial vehicle buying public,” Mr Koenig said.

The Kangoo is available from Renault’s Commercial Vehicle Centres in all capital cities from 1st September.

*Prices are recommended retail only and do not include dealer delivery or government charges or options.