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New Renault Kangoo released

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14th December, 2010

  • Diesel delivers best-in-class economy of 5.2 l/100 km, with 137 g/km CO2
  • Automatic gearbox matched to petrol engine for round town driving simplicity
  • Larger 3.0 cu m load area and increased payload to 800 kg (diesel)
  • Built on Renault Scenic platform for superb ride comfort

Europe’s foremost light commercial vehicle brand has released a bigger, better specified, and more helpful new generation Kangoo to the Australian market.

Drawing on the international experiences of 1.5 million Kangoo customers, Renault’s engineers and designers have made an even more capable vehicle, with the ergonomics, reliability and efficiency demanded by traders, merchants and delivery drivers across the business spectrum.

In Europe, the Renault Kangoo has been the segment’s best selling vehicle for the past 12 consecutive years, a tribute to its well-thought out design and suitability for a variety of roles.

The new Renault Kangoo is priced from $25,990 drive away for either the punchy 1.6-litre petrol version matched to a four-speed automatic transmission, or the clean and efficient 1.5-litre turbo-diesel version fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox.

The petrol version produces 78 kW of power at 5,750 rpm and peak torque of 148 Nm at 3,750 rpm, while the turbo-diesel engine generates 63 kW at 3,750 rpm and maximum torque of 200 Nm at 1,900 rpm.

The diesel consumes a class leading 5.2-litres of fuel per 100 km on the combined cycle, and emits only 137 g/km of CO2 and will be the logical choice for businesses and drivers keen to reduce their environmental footprint.

Longer and wider, the diesel-powered Renault Kangoo can now swallow 3.0 cubic metres, and carry up to 800 kg of payload, up from the previous generation’s 2.75 cu m and 530 kg. The petrol version can carry an addition 120 kg over its predecessor, for a total of 650 kg within the 3.0 cubic metre capacity.

Design

New Kangoo features a distinctive short bonnet with a robust front-end capped by a large pedestrian-friendly bumper. The droplet-shaped crystal-style headlamps reflect the up-market, car-like driving experience.

Its big and bold windscreen allows in plenty of light while 'muscular', composite mudguards announce a strong sense of robustness. Pronounced wheel arches and merging styling lines give the new Kangoo a sleeker overall look. The rear 'barn doors' are framed by pillars containing inset tail lamps.

Designers paid particular attention to ensuring doors could stand up to heavy, constant use, as well as providing the widest possible load aperture. Some customers require the doors to be opened up to 50 times per day.

Platform

The new generation Kangoo is built on the Scenic people mover platform and therefore offers a similar level of driving refinement to the much-acclaimed MPV, not to mention an elevated MPV-style driving position.

Thanks to the shared platform concept, the Kangoo boasts a far wider track, longer wheelbase and wider body than before, giving superb ride quality and driving comfort. Suspension is by MacPherson struts at the front with rectangular lower arms, and programmed deflection suspension with coil springs and anti-roll bar at the rear.

It is also built to take the knocks of congested city life, with front mudguards made of economical to repair or replace ‘noryl’, a supple composite material, which is able to absorb small knocks without a trace. The front end is also quick to remove saving labour time.

Dimensions

The wheelbase is almost 100 mm longer than the previous model (at 2,697 mm) and the track front and rear has been increased to 1,521 mm and 1,534 mm respectively, 121 mm wider at the front and 114 mm wide at the rear, enhancing stability even more.

The new light commercial vehicle is 178 mm longer and 102 mm wider than the Kangoo it replaces, yet it boasts a tight Renault Clio-sized 10.7 m turning circle.

The overall internal load length with the passenger seat upright is 1,731 mm (60 mm longer than the previous Kangoo), while loads of up to 1,218 mm wide will slide between the rear wheel arches.

The curb-side sliding door will allow access to loads up to 635 mm wide, while the asymmetrically split rear doors open through 90 and then 180-degrees, to ensure maximum easy of entry for bulkier packages. Secure stowage is enhanced via six rings set into the floor pan.

Powertrain

The advanced common rail 1.5-litre diesel engine runs injection at 1,600 bar and employs a state-of-the-art variable geometry turbocharger. The engine is very quiet thanks to a double flywheel damper, multi injection cycle and specially designed engine mounts.

For the enhanced durability cycle 1.6-litre petrol engine, which returns a competitive 8.3 l/100 km, 90 per cent of peak torque is available from just 2,000 rpm.

Oil changes are 15,000 km or one year, which ever comes first.

The comfort and ease of the automatic transmission fitted to the petrol version will add another level of appeal to customers who battle city traffic on a daily basis.

Cabin

In line with all Renault vehicles, the new Kangoo boasts an especially comfortable cabin with plush seating, and tool-of-trade friendly stowage, including a large overhead compartment for papers and spacious 15-litre glove box that can hold two laptops.

Drivers who spend their working lives behind the wheel will also appreciate the A4-sized storage area on the dash, the convenience of under seat storage, a large centre console, and big door pockets.

Safety

Safety is well provided for with a standard driver airbag, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist), seat belts with pre-tensioners and load-limiters, as well as the underlying Scenic-platform giving optimum road handling and comfort.

Specification

The new Kangoo is exceptionally well specified for its intended market of hard-working inner city delivery drivers. Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control with a speed limiter.

The long list of standard equipment also includes air conditioning, power front windows, powered, folding, heated body-coloured door mirrors, height adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, 2x15 W AM/FM stereo with single CD/MP3 player and fingertip controls plus RCA Aux. jack, tinted front windows, colour-coded front grille, fog lights, and tubular protection bars behind driver’s seat.

The seats are covered in hardwearing yet attractive dark cloth upholstery, and the dashboard is finished in contrasting light and dark grey hues highlighting the feeling of spaciousness. And, importantly, for some customers the new Kangoo is also available in a wide range of bright colours other than white.

A load area liner and load area lighting complete the package.

Options

The options list includes ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) with traction and understeer control on the petrol model, front passenger airbag, side airbags for driver and passenger, automatic lights and windscreen wipers, a right-hand side sliding door, glazing for both sliding doors, rear parking sensors, glazed tailgate with rear wiper (in place of barn doors), and a plastic sliding roof flap to allow the transportation of particularly tall items, such as shrubs and bushes.

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Quotes

“The new Renault Kangoo is bigger, better and smarter than before,” says Justin Hocevar, the newly appointed Managing Director of Renault Australia.

“It scores highly on practicality and flexibility and is very adaptable to users’ needs, and it will build on the strong name its predecessor has already entrenched in the hearts and minds of business users in Australia.”

“The new model offers a choice of efficient petrol or diesel engines, with significantly increased payload and a larger carrying capacity. The engines, especially the diesel, are extremely efficient and will reduce running costs for customers.”

“Renault is the foremost supplier of light commercial vehicles in Europe, and since launch in 1997 the Renault Kangoo has been the number one seller in its segment in Europe for the past 12 consecutive years. Around 3.0 million variants have been sold in that time, including the passenger variants.”

“Renault’s technical know-how will provide maximum benefits for all types of businesses investing in the new Kangoo.”

“When you consider the low running costs, very low emissions, car-like driving experience, ease of loading, and the opportunities to add an extra sliding side door or a roof flap for accommodating especially tall items, it becomes obvious there is no better vehicle in the market that can meet the needs of such a diverse range of businesses.”

“And our 3 year or 150,000 km bumper to bumper warranty plus 24-hour roadside assistance guarantees customers complete peace-of-mind,” Justin says.


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