RENAULT

RENAULT ADOPT A KANGOO ATTITUDE Renault Are Rapidly Establishing Themselves As One Of The Most Innovative Car Manufacturers Around. Their Kangoo Diesel Models Show That They Can Do Practicality Superbly Too. Andy Enright Reports…

To put it bluntly, a van with windows doesn’t seem the most obvious place for a car manufacturer to showcase its cleverness, but the Kangoo range brings far more to the party than an extra bench and glazing. These models open up new possibilities for the cash-strapped family motorist looking for something reliable and tough until the kids are old enough not to ruin the upholstery. Who knows, the Kangoo is such fun you may well have grown attached to it by then.

For most readers, the concept of a diesel MPV is one that leaves them struggling to re-ignite the will to live. It’s hardly the most charismatic of market sectors and to add insult to injury, most manufacturers want to charge you through the nose for the privilege. You’d need to budget well over £13,000 for the cheapest Renault Scenic-sized mini-MPV with a diesel engine and over £18,000 for something shaped more like an Espace. When there are bills to pay and kids going through clothes, shoes and Cow & Gate products at a prodigious rate, a big direct debit for a new car often isn’t even a realistic proposition. Painfully aware of this but unwilling to reduce their prices, the major makers came up with a rather obvious solution. Why not take one of the new generation of car-like vans and add some extra windows and seats, plus a smattering of extra equipment? You'd have easy room for five, plus plenty of luggage capacity, all for a rock-bottom price. The idea took off big-time in Europe, particularly in France, causing market leaders Peugeot/Citroen and Renault to refine the idea still further. The British have been a bit more resistant to the idea of a builder’s van with extra fenestration smeared around the back of it, but they’re catching on. The first result was Citroen's Berlingo Multispace, introduced to Britain in 1998 and now facing stiff competition from the rival featured here, Renault's five-door Kangoo dCi.

"Running a Kangoo diesel is one part of your life that’s not going to give your credit card a sound thrashing …"

Since the Berlingo Multispace was reduced in price and offered here in five-door form, there’s not been much to choose between the two rivals, though the Citroen has had an advantage in the form of its huge retractable panoramic sliding sunroof. Renault weren’t about to let that last for long of course, and quickly added one to the options list. The £11,165 68bhp dCi engine is the entry-level point but those seeking more power can opt for the 84bhp version of the same unit from £12,315. The Kangoo’s chassis is based on that of the previous generation Clio, which means that it's wonderfully agile around town, with light quick power steering, short gearing and great visibility through those huge windows. It isn't quite as confident as its supermini stablemate on the open road however - for many of the same reasons. The short gearing means you have to swap cogs regularly and the tall, thin, glassy profile can make it a little susceptible to crosswinds. Two trim levels are available for Kangoo diesel buyers, Authentique and Expression. Authentique gives you a 60/40 split-fold for the rear seat and a roof-mounted stowage rack inside the cabin. You also get a centre three-point rear seatbelt, ABS brakes, a passenger airbag, electric front windows, remote control central locking, electric mirrors and a CD stereo. Expression adds 14" alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers and mirrors, front fog lamps and a selection of additional storage solutions. It's fairly utilitarian inside - though that's intentional. If necessary, the rear bench pivots forward to convert the Kangoo from people carrier to a 2,500-litre estate. Moreover, thanks to those sliding side doors, it's a lot easier to access the space. Versatility is helped by the airline-style overhead bins and side bins with a total volume of 60-litres plus there’s the usual exterior plastic protection that makes a sideswipe of a farmer’s gate that little bit more insurance-friendly. Renault have played the Kangoo diesel card with guile. Here we get a sophisticated diesel engine with a pair of power options in a model that makes some kind of lifestyle statement. We’re not quite sure what that statement is, but those clever chaps at Renault seem to have the future mapped out. Createurs d’automobile? We’ll have whatever they’re having…

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Kangoo diesel range PRICE: £11,165 - £12,315 on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 4-5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 146-196g/km PERFORMANCE: [dCi 84bhp] 0-60mph 12.5s / Max Speed 96mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [dCi 84bhp] (average) 53mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front & side airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: length/width/heightmm 3995/1663/1894

THE VAN THAT KANG Renault’s Kangoo has developed a split personality but are two Kangoos better than one? Steve Walker reports

The Renault Kangoo is now available as a sub-compact city van known as the Kangoo Compact or a full-blown compact van called the Kangoo Van. It might be confusing to some operators but with two models, Renault is confident of being able to give more customers what they want. The Kangoo Compact might be small but it’s highly nimble while the larger Kangoo Van handles in a more composed fashion. Both are well-built and pleasantly styled with engines that are better for economy than performance.

Why have one compact van when you can have two? Obviously Renault couldn’t come up with an answer to that one and the result is the double-header Kangoo range we have today. Businesses prioritising agility and compactness for urban usage can choose the Kangoo Compact. If your company needs more capacity and comfort, the full-blown Kangoo Van might well be the route to take. The latest Kangoo is indicative of a wider segmentation in the compact van sector. Increasingly, manufacturers are offering either a choice of wheelbases in their small vans or a pair of completely distinct models. The whole Kangoo Van and Kangoo Compact idea basically boils down to a pair of wheelbase options but there are other differences and the overall effect is that Renault have two very different products with which to meet the needs of UK van customers. Prices start from just under £9,000 with a premium of around £700 to graduate from Kangoo Compact to Kangoo Van. The larger Kangoo Van range offers a choice of 650kg or 800kg payload capacities. The Kangoo light commercial range is powered by a selection of 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre dCi common-rail diesel engines. As tends to be the way in UK commercial vehicles, it’s the diesels that will account for the majority of sales. The petrol engines are 90 and 105bhp in output with the more powerful being a 16-valve unit. Packing a 148Nm maximum torque rating, even the range-topping petrol unit lacks the muscle of the entry-level diesel which has 70bhp but 160Nm. The 1.5-litre oil-burners are familiar units used across the manufacturer’s range of small cars and vans. The Kangoo Compact is only available with the 70bhp and 85bhp diesel versions which impress most from a fuel economy standpoint (plus the smaller petrol unit). The diesels don’t move either size of Kangoo with any great zest and can sound harsh when pushed into the upper realms of the rev range. The Kangoo Van also gets a 105bhp version of the same 1.5-litre diesel unit, an engine that feels stronger and is the unit to choose if big mileages are on your agenda.

"Why have one compact van when you can have two?"

The Kangoo’s underpinnings are borrowed from Renault’s Scenic passenger car and these origins are felt out on the road. The ride is more compliant and forgiving over the worst surface imperfections than we’ve come to expect in a compact van but the flipside is that body-control is a little wayward when you press the vehicle into corners. The longer wheelbase of the standard Kangoo Van helps it provide a more composed ride and handling package than the Compact which bounces around far more. The smaller model, however, has a wonderfully tight turning circle of just 9.7m which makes it superb in congested urban settings. As a reference point, the Renault Twingo city car has a 9.85m turning circle. Both Kangoos have great forward visibility courtesy of the extensive windscreen and truncated bonnet, while the well-weighted steering and positive gearchange also impress. Capacity will be the crux of many Kangoo buying decisions, the Compact model being significantly smaller than the standard Kangoo Van. The wheelbases of the two are 2,313mm and 2,697mm, the standard load volumes are 2.3m3 and 3m3 and the maximum payloads are 500kg and either 650 or 800kg. You get the general idea. Renault has aimed to bring elements of its Scenic MPV to the interior, creating what it likes to refer to as a ‘mobile office’ concept. There’s certainly a good quota of storage options provided in both models with large door pockets, an A4-sized compartment in the dashboard complete with pen holders and a 13-litre overhead shelf. The basic dashboard design is lifted wholesale from the Scenic MPV with its two-tone finish and dash-mounted gearlever. By the standards of the compact van market, quality of fit and finish is impressive. There’s also an upright driving position that facilitates easy entries and exits. An enormous amount of headroom is present in the front of the Kangoo, enough so that all kinds of elaborate headgear could be accommodated should the occasion arise. The space for driver and passenger is more than adequate in other dimensions too, with only the passenger legroom (restricted by the sloping floor) giving cause for concern. The size of the Kangoo Compact’s load bay might lead you to suspect otherwise but both models can actually squeeze in a standard Europallet. The main point of access to the cargo in both vehicles is the asymmetrically-split rear doors. These open to a 90 degree angle but releasing a catch inside allows them to swing out to 180 degrees. The sliding side door is offered on the Kangoo Van and this opens to reveal a 635mm aperture with a tug on the reassuringly chunky handle. There are various bulkhead options including a mesh grill that swings open to increase the payload capacity and a full steel bulkhead. A ladder flap is also available so long items can be poked out through the roof at the rear of the van. The Kangoo has been designed to minimise operating costs in all its forms. As well as the economical engines and the long service intervals, the wings are made of a composite material so they’re cheaper to repair. Various small design modifications have also been made to cut labour time needed in the repair process. Safety equipment includes an advanced ABS system with brake assist and MSR torque overrun regulation, a diver’s airbag and pretensioner seatbelts. ASR traction control and ESC stability control are available as options on the larger model. The Compact model is the more interesting of the two products in terms of its market positioning. It goes head to head with the diminutive Citroën Nemo and Peugeot Bipper models and together, these sub-compact vans could well put the squeeze on the car-derived van sector below. They’re certainly more practical than the crop of hollowed-out superminis that are currently offered to operators needing to carry small loads around town. The larger model meanwhile fights it out with the established big guns in the compact van sector. Ford’s Transit Connect, Volkswagen’s Caddy and Citroën’s Berlingo will all be targets. With these two models working in tandem, Renault hopes to have covered all the small van bases, although it’s the standard Kangoo Van that will be the big seller, with the marque predicting a 90 per cent to 10 per cent sales split in its favour. Neither model is particularly sharp or involving from a driver’s perspective with too much body roll making itself felt especially in the smaller model. The engines lack power too, with the exception of the Kangoo Van’s range-topping diesel. Otherwise, it’s easy to be seduced by the excellent economy, the general ride comfort and the solidly-built interior. This Renault appears to have the core attributes that small van buyers want and both derivatives have something valuable to offer.

Facts At A Glance MANUFACTURER: Renault MODEL: Kangoo BHP: 70bhp - 105bhp PAYLOAD CAPACITY: 500kg – 800kg LOAD VOLUME: 2.3m3 – 3m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 1,715kg – 1,962kg LENGTH: 3,829mm – 4,213mm WIDTH: 1,829mm HEIGHT: 1,783mm – 1,805 May 19th 2008

FUN IN LARGE DOSES Having developed the latest generation Kangoo in two sizes, Renault have launched the passenger version of the smaller one with a hefty dose of attitude. Jonathan Crouch checks out the Kangoo be bop

With the full sized five-door passenger version of Renault’s Kangoo centring on sensibility, the three-door compact version has been left free to let its hair down a little. All right, a lot. Enter the Kango be bop. If it is some kind of van, then it’s like none you’ve ever seen before. You could see it as a lifestyle statement, a chic urban runabout – even as some kind of convertible. Most of all though, you’ll need to see it as a bit of fun.

The original Renault Kangoo was little more than a van with seats and windows but that didn’t deter a legion of buyers when first it made its way to these shores back in 1999. By summer 2007, Kangoo sales stood at 2.2 million worldwide. In developing a replacement for the original, it’s debateable whether Renault created a car and commercialised it or simply built a much better van, mindful of the importance of the passenger version. Ultimately it doesn’t matter but credence for the former view came with the news that this car was to be based on the same platform as the Scenic mini-MPV. And with the unveiling of the Kangoo Compact Concept show car at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, This was what Renault called a ‘compact leisure vehicle’: it certainly had an original design and strong personality for what the company termed ‘active urban dwellers’. The main originality of the car lay in its extensive glazed roof and clever versatility features, with the emphasis firmly on space and light. When the latest generation Kangoo passenger car range was announced, there was an opportunity for the three-door version to be angled towards a younger audience and the Compact Concept car was a natural fit. So the be bop was born.

"The Kangoo be bop is a car that with either irritate or delight you: there are unlikely to be any in-betweens…."

The driving experience here is less about handling and power (it’s quite acceptable but unremarkable in both respects) and more about the rather unique travelling experience on offer. The first thing you and your passengers will probably notice is the way that 3.9 sq. metres of glass (spread around both roof and windows) floods the cabin with light. It certainly makes the car easy to manoeuvre (you can turn it round between kerbs just 9.7 metres apart), while the large, semi-circular side windows are intended to be reminiscent of the tranquility afforded by a modern high-speed train such as the Eurostar. No train offers this car’s wind in the hair feel though. Slide down the large tailgate window out of sight into the rear door then open the forward-sliding glazed panel at the rear and you’ve most of the ingredients of convertible motoring, though without much of the usual buffeting since the roof opens at an angle which creates a deflecting effect to prevent bothersome turbulence while on the move. Two front tilting glass panels ensure that front-seat occupants also get a taste of the open air. The glazed roof panels are treated to filter out the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Active driving aids include ABS with brake assist, ESP stability control, ASR traction control, cruise control with a speed limiter and automatic headlamps and wipers. Plus you can specify up to six airbags. There are two individual rear seats rather than the usual bench and this, together with the lack of rear side doors, means that larger families need not apply. The back seats are mounted 9cm higher than those in the front for an amphitheatre-like view and they can slide, tilt or be removed. The 24cm space between them enables entry through the tailgate, then offers storage space once on the move. It should certainly be comfortable back there. With 1,220mm of elbowroom, 250mm of kneeroom and 998mm of headroom, cabin space is far superior to that of rival leisure vehicles. The rear of the car is fully modular. The capacity of the luggage compartment ranges from 174 to 1,462 litres depending on whether the seats are in their rearmost position or removed altogether. Like Renault’s pricier Scénic mini-MPV, the rear seats can be folded and tipped forward with a built-in notching system to hold them in place. When the rear window (operated by a driver’s side switch or a button on the ignition key) has slid away into the tailgate, the car can be loaded without having to open the back door – useful if you’re tightly parked. Keep it open on the move and you can transport very long items. If you want a three-door passenger Kangoo, then you’ll have to have a Kangoo be bop. And if you want a Kangoo be bop, you’ll have to select between three engines, all familiar from the Clio supermini range. Most will decide between the two 1.5-litre dCi diesels, which put out either 85 or 105bhp, but there’s also a petrol 105hp 1.6 16V unit. The colour schemes on offer can either make your be bop look ‘chic’ (read ‘understated’) or ‘fun’ (read ‘garish’), so depending on your perspective, it’s pretty important to get your choice right. The ‘chic’ look is based around black or white body colours, combined with red and black upholstery and a dark charcoal dashboard. For the ‘fun-loving’ version, you’ll need your sunglasses for as it comes in orange with silver, blue, and orange upholstery. Bear in mind that this may make it difficult to sell on when your fun-loving days are through….. Built-in satellite navigation (yes, in a Kangoo), an optional luggage/roof rail above the tailgate window for carrying long items such as surfboards and a multi-function TunePoint package for your ipod and USB stick which fits in the glovebox: all these are desirable extras. This isn’t going to be an expensive car to run, unless you take into account residual values which after three years, are unlikely to crack the 40% mark. Bear that in mind before you go splashing out on optional extras. Most will probably go for the dCi 85hp version which offers a useful balance between performance and its combined cycle fuel consumption of 53.3 mpg. CO2 emissions for this variant are rated at 138g/km, making this version eligible for the Renault eco2 signature. To qualify for this, the car has to have sub-140g/km CO2 emission, be produced in an ISO-14001-certified factory and be 95% recoverable by weight at the end of its life, while at least 5% of the plastics it contains must be sourced from recycling The Kangoo be bop is a car that with either irritate or delight you: there are unlikely to be any in-betweens. The automotive landscape is littered with great cars that have just that kind of appeal. Is this one of them? That depends upon your perspective. It’s refreshingly fun and surprisingly practical, certainly a long way from this model’s van-based origins. Should you care that there’s also a commercial version of this design? We’d say not: life’s too short – and this car may give you a new lease of it.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Kangoo be bop PRICES: £11,500-£14,000 [approx] – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 4 CO2 EMISSIONS: 138-160g/km [est] PERFORMANCE: [1.5 dCi 85] 0-60mph 12.2s / Max Speed 99mph [est] FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.5dCi 85] (average) 53.3mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: length/width/heightmm 3871/1829/1835

FAMILY BEFORE FASHION The Renault Kangoo uses tricks of the van trade to offer big practicality to family car customers. Steve Walker reports

Renault’s van-based Kangoo MPV offers oodles of space and practicality in a durable and compact package. It’s perfect for the needs of the modern family on a budget, the only problem being that it looks like a van. If you can see past that, you’ll love it.

If you’re the sort of person who’s less concerned with how well you do what you do than with what you look like while you’re doing it, it’s a safe bet that you’ve never owned a Renault Kangoo. At a time when style so often takes precedence over substance, the Kangoo single-mindedly focuses on getting its job done with scant regard for the aesthetics. The job in question here is low cost family transportation and the latest Kangoo gets its teeth in to the role from the outset. The Kangoo formula has always been simple and Renault saw little need to tinker with it in fashioning the latest model. The basis for this affordable but remarkably roomy MPV remains the compact van of the same name. In the commercial vehicle world, space, durability and low costs are the primary concerns of operators and these translate perfectly across to a substantial number of buyers in the compact MPV segment. Parents might not like to admit it, but whether you’re running a fruit and veg stall or a modern household comprised of 2.4 children and a Labrador called Derek, the basics you need from your vehicle are similar. That’s the genius of the Kangoo and its ilk. Given the Kangoo’s utilitarian focus, it’s no surprise that the array of engines on offer have been chosen to offer efficiency, economy and little beyond that. A pair of 1.6-litre units make up the petrol range - a 90bhp 8-valver and another with 106bhp and twice the valves. The alternative is one of Renault’s ubiquitous 1.5-litre diesels that could have been designed for this very application. The choice boils down to 70bhp, 86bhp and 106bhp versions of this common-rail injection dCi engine. Even the least powerful of these develops substantially more torque than the 16-valve petrol engine with 185Nm at 1,750rpm and if you go for the 106bhp option there’s a forceful 240Nm from 2,000rpm. All the engines bar this most powerful diesel have a five-speed manual gearbox but the range-topper gets six-speeds. There’s also an automatic option with the most powerful petrol unit.

"Substance over style: there’s a lot to be said for that…."

Knowledge that the Kangoo is essentially a van with added seating and glasswork won’t lead you to expect too much from its driving characteristics but it’s not as simple as that. The previous generation model was undoubtedly rough around the edges (and some would say it was a bit tatty in the middle too), but today’s Kangoo, like the van it’s based on, actually uses a passenger car chassis. One purloined from Renault’s MkII Scenic no less. A wide track, and a long wheelbase help handling and ride quality while the suspension set-up is reassuringly advanced and a rear anti-roll bar addresses the problem of body roll that can afflict taller vehicles. Space is the Kangoo’s big draw in comparison to conventional supermini-based MPVs which share its price range. The Renault’s commercial vehicle shape affords masses of room for three rear seat passengers and a monster of a boot lurking just over their shoulders. The high ceiling creates an airy feel to the cabin and the 60:40 split rear seats fold down to create a flat load floor. This can boost the 660-litre boot capacity to a gargantuan 2,866 litres if you specify your model with a collapsible front passenger seat. Renault also draws our attention to a full 77 litres of additional storage dotted around the cabin in the numerous cubbies and compartments. The various fixtures and fittings are sturdily built but the design does lack a little sparkle. The tough plastics of the otherwise impressive dash hint at the Kangoo’s working class roots but are sure to stand the test of time. Renault has attempted to give the Kangoo’s exterior a personality beyond that of a compact commercial vehicle but its designers didn’t have a whole lot to work with. The look is chunky and distinctive but it’s clearly a van and that is likely to be the biggest single deterrent for buyers. Elsewhere, the Kangoo’s origins are a positive boon. The sliding side doors open wide to give easy access to the rear seats and Renault has even engineered electric windows that disappear within these doors when lowered. At the rear, the slab like tailgate lifts to reveal a flat load floor and a very low loading height so that there’s not too far to hoist heavy items. The parcel shelf can be positioned at two different heights and bear a weight of 50kg. Cleverly, it can also be slid down against the back of the rear seats so there are no worries about where to store it when it’s not in use. Renault’s tried and tested trim levels pop up again on the Kangoo with customers offered a choice of Authentic, Expression and Privilege models. It’s also worth mentioning that a short wheelbase version of the Kangoo is available, christened the Be Bop. This model has less space and doesn’t ride in such a composed manner but it looks cute and the price is right. The Kangoo’s petrol engines aren’t the most efficient in the segment. The 90bhp option returns 36mpg on the combined cycle and emissions of 195g/km which is far from impressive and the 106bhp option is scarcely any better. The diesels are a different story. The 70bhp unit gets 54.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 138g/km and even the most powerful oil-burner returns 50mpg and 151g/km when equipped with the optional particulate filter. The idea of putting the family in a van will be an instant turn off for some but if you can get past the semantics, the Renault Kangoo and vehicles of its type make a superbly practical solution. The Kangoo is a family life specialist with space, durability and low costs that conventional small MPVs find it impossible to beat. There are a number of similar van-based products around at the moment but the Kangoo is definitely up with the most cohesive and cleverly thought out. Kangoo buyers get a cavernous interior with tonnes of carrying capacity that even the most determined children will find it hard to pull to bits. It’s a simple, no nonsense proposition that gets on with the job of transporting a family without worrying too much about keeping up appearances. Substance over style: there’s a lot to be said for that.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Kangoo range PRICES: £11,500-£13,500 – on the road [est] INSURANCE GROUP: 4 CO2 EMISSIONS: 138-160g/km [est] PERFORMANCE: [1.5 dCi 86] 0-60mph 12.2s / Max Speed 99mph [est] FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.5dCi 86] (average) 53mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: length/width/heightmm 4213/1829/1835 [est]

BOUND FOR SUCCESS? Has Renault’s Kangoo van got what it takes to triumph in the cutthroat small van sector? Steve Walker investigates…

Where would we be without small vans? There’s a multitude of these vehicles out there being employed by all manner of different companies for a variety of diverse purposes. From fishmongers to financial institutions there’s room on almost everybody’s fleet for a dependable little van. All of which goes a long way to explaining why the various small van manufacturers are so keen on ensuring it’s their model that these operators choose. Renault have long been amongst the leaders in this field with their Kangoo van and over time they’ve introduced successive sets of revisions to ensure it continues to compete.

Today’s Kangoo sports a neat and distinctive front end but, as is almost always the case with compact vans, a boxy and unremarkable rear. Large elliptical headlights with their integrated clear lens indicators dominate the frontal aspect along with a bonnet that curves up at the wings and features an unusual crease running down its centre. There’s also a horizontally slatted grille and a large air-intake in the skirt below the bumper that wouldn’t look out of place on a hot-hatch. The Kangoo has inherited the Renault van family’s facial features over the years with visual similarities between it, the Trafic and the Movano instantly apparent. The original Kangoo wasn’t much to look at and that failing has been successfully addressed in later models. Having said that, Renault have shown admirable restraint, remembering this is a commercial vehicle, stopping well short of going overboard with the fancy detailing. The Kangoo range features two trim levels (SL or SL+) and five engines. That’s more power options than you find in most small van ranges but the three diesels are essentially the same unit tuned to provide differing power outputs. Buyers can get their hands of the 1.5-litre dCi in 60, 70 or 84bhp form. All are quiet and economical with good response at low engine speeds to negate the need for constant gear changing. Like the petrol engines in the Kangoo, these oil-burners are compliant with the Euro IV emissions regulations.

"The small van market is big business and Renault’s Kangoo has traditionally faired very well."

The 84bhp produces hefty maximum torque of 200Nm and hauling a fully loaded Kangoo up a treacherous incline will be well within its powers: owners should also be able to manage well over 50mpg. The dCi84 is also the quickest Kangoo around with a 0-62mph time of 11.3s. That’s more rapid even than the 95bhp 1.6-litre 16v petrol option which is detained, partly by its automatic transmission, for 12.4s on the sprint but yields better refinement than the oil burners. The final engine choice is an economical 1.2-litre 75bhp petrol one that may be enough to tempt a few cost-cutting buyers away from the diesel. Renault’s Proactive automatic transmission system is exclusively available with the 1.6-litre petrol engine. Curiously named after another of those ‘management-speak’ watchwords that don’t really mean anything, it confounds expectations by actually working rather well. Thinking outside the box, Renault have pushed the envelope to develop a clutchless system that alters its shifting strategies according to your driving style. A Kangoo 1.6 Proactive can still return 35mpg on the combined cycle, try running that up the flagpole to see if anyone salutes. There’s nothing about the Kangoo’s visual make-up that should prove a turn-off for buyers but commercial customers usually select their model of choice on practical criteria, so a set of natty headlights won’t cut much ice with them. Of far more relevance will be the user-friendliness of the rest of the vehicle. Noise is always going to be a problem in vans. In the worst culprits, the metallic load area amplifies road roar and engine noise for an overall driving experience not unlike being stuck in a metal dustbin as it’s pounded from the outside with a big stick. Renault have done a good job with the sound insulation on the Kangoo and the result, aided by the more refined engines, is a relatively quiet driving experience. Safety is a strongpoint on the Kangoo with a collapsible steering column, good body stiffness and height-adjustable seatbelts with pretensioners. There’s also a driver’s airbag (passenger and side airbags are optional), side impact bars, energy absorbent door padding and ABS brakes with brake assist. This little lot puts the Kangoo among the very best commercial vehicles you can buy when it comes to passenger protection. General equipment levels are similarly good, entry-level SL trim being fairly extensive and including remote central locking, immobiliser, CD stereo, power steering and height adjustable headrests amongst other things. Make the step up to the ‘+’ trim level and there’s a sliding side door, a rubber floor covering for the load area, a three button key that opens the load bay and the cab separately, rain-sensing wipers, load area lights and electric windows. All Kangoos also feature RAID – the Renault Anti-Intruder Device which automatically locks all the doors with a hefty clunk as you drive away, thus preventing undesirables from gaining access while you’re stopped at the lights. The Kangoo is great to use on a day-to-day basis. With a big payload on the back it copes admirably and once the load is lightened you can extract some enjoyment from driving it home – especially if you’ve opted for one of the more powerful engines. The sliding side doors are well worth specifying as they add a new dimension in versatility to the load area. Meaning that you don’t have to clamber in through the back to lay your hands on awkwardly positioned cargo. There are plenty of fixing points for securing heavy loads and at just 535mm, the loading sill is thoughtfully placed to lessen the chances of doing yourself a mischief. In the cab, improvements have been made to the look and feel of the fixtures and fittings. Overall it’s a pleasant place to sit and the tough plastics seem well up to the job. The small van market is big business and Renault’s Kangoo has traditionally faired very well. It remains the top-selling small van in Europe, has consistently figured in the top five UK models over recent years and, despite some stiff competition, looks likely to continue a similar level of performance. The 1.5-litre dCi power options are amongst the most economical around, safety provision is class-leading and Renault provide a good level of standard specification. The Kangoo is well-equipped to help your company get the jump on its competitors.

Facts At A Glance VAN: Renault Kangoo van range ENGINES: [diesel] 1.5-litre dCi (60,70 or 84bhp), [petrol] 1.2-litre 75bhp petrol, 1.6-litre 16-valve 95bhp. INSURANCE GROUP: 5A WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height 3650/1630/1655mm

RENAULT’S CAN-DO KANGOO The Renault Kangoo was once the epitome of cheap and cheerful family motoring. It’s become a little more sophisticated of late. By Andy Enright

Sooner or later we all have to face the fact that we’re growing up. Things that seemed enormous fun a few years ago now have us wondering what the attraction ever was. Cars also undergo this process, usually aping their human counterparts by getting bigger and a little thicker in the middle as they age. The Renault Kangoo may not have yet succumbed to middle age spread, but it has become a far more mature proposition than the first batch of rather crude van-cum-cars that first made their way to these shores back in 1999.

Those initial Kangoos harked back to the Renault 4, a lightweight box that never broke down, engendering the same kind of warm fuzziness amongst family buyers. As a result, by the end of 2002 Renault had shifted no fewer than 10,818 cars. About 55% of these went to fleet users who appreciated a genuine dual-purpose vehicle. The pattern was replicated across Europe and before too long the once derided van-based MPV sector had become one of the hottest tickets in town. Duelling it out with its great rival, the Citroen Berlingo Multispace, the Kangoo has in recent years undergone a series of revisions to try to wrest superiority from its Gallic counterpart. The Citroen offered a big sunroof so the Renault offered two, and then rammed the point home by improving quality, safety and introducing a rather curious four-wheel drive version dubbed the Trekka which is now no more. Since then it’s been a case of regular tweaks to the line up in a bid to keep things fresh. There are now eight Kangoo variants from which to choose, spread across a range offering a choice of two trim levels - Authentique and Expression. There’s also the choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, offering between 68hp and 95hp. The 1.2 and 1.6 16-valve petrol engines offer lively performance and excellent combined cycle fuel economy of 40.4 and 37.7mpg, while the 1.5-litre dCi 68 and dCi 84 common-rail diesels offer even greater torque at lower revs and 51.4 and 53.3mpg.

"The Kangoo is an easy car to like: it’s easy to see why so many have been sold…"

Another string to its bow is that the Kangoo has another unique proposition in its class - automatic transmission. For the latest range, this can be allied to the 1.6 16V engine on either trim level, offering even greater ease-of-use and refinement for longer journeys. Other than that, the recent changes have been all about trim and specification tweaks, including two new interior upholsteries and several new options. The specific improvements to the Authentique and Expression trim levels see the former gain £200 of extra equipment, namely a 30W CD player and overhead parcel shelf to complement its new ‘Kaleidoscope’ interior trim. Meanwhile, the Expression receives new ‘Gabor’ interior trim and, when specified with metallic paint, body coloured front, rear and side mouldings, similar to those available on larger Mégane. In addition to impressive fuel economy, the Kangoo range also features the cleanest engine in its class too, in the form of the dCi 84. Beating rivals such as the Citroen Berlingo Multispace, the Fiat Doblò and Peugeot’s Partner, this engine boasts carbon dioxide emissions of just 139 grams per kilometre which is notable for several reasons as it comes in under the important 140 gram emissions threshold. The Kangoo's platform is based on that of the MKII Renault Clio, which means that it's wonderfully agile around town, with light quick power steering, short gearing and great visibility through those huge windows. It isn't quite as confident as its supermini stablemate on the open road however - for many of the same reasons. A revised spoiler below the body and a bumper extensions means that this Kangoo is a good deal more resistant to cross winds than its predecessor. As we’ve said, four powerplants are on offer, all lifted directly from the Clio supermini. You can opt either for a high-tech common rail dCi turbo diesel in 68 or 84bhp form, or select between 1.2 or 1.6-litre petrol engines. Despite the excellence of the petrol engines, it’s the dCi diesels that still make more sense, travelling as they do five miles further on every gallon (in 80bhp guise) and endowed as they are with an extra dose of mid-range pulling power. In summary, the Kangoo is an easy car to like: it’s easy to see why over 130,000 have been sold in Europe already. Sure, for not much more, you could buy a secondhand large-sized MPV but it’s easy to admire the way that the Kangoo brings the latest Renault technology home at an affordable price. The latest models offer a level of sophistication few would credit, illustrating just how far the Kangoo has come in such a short time. Basically, it’s still fun, all of which just goes to prove that there’s a lot to be said for growing old disgracefully.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Kangoo range PRICES: £10,175-£12,315 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 4-5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 139-190g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.5 dCi 84] 0-60mph 12.2s / Max Speed 99mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.5dCi 84] (urban) 47.9mpg / (extra urban) 57.6mpg / (combined) 53.3mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: [Authentique] length/width/heightmm 3995/1663/1894

AUTHENTICATED ENTRY Renault’s Kangoo 1.5-litre dCi 68 Authentique Provides A Much Needed Entry-Level Diesel In This Popular Range. Steve Ghosley Reports…

When Renault put seats and rear windows in one of their best selling vans and marketed the result as a family MPV, little did they realise what a hit this car would become on this side of the Channel. With sales continuing to break new records in the UK, this very practical, if not wonderfully attractive, vehicle is carving itself out a growing number of adoring fans. Vans have come along way in recent years, gaining passenger car creature comforts that were once denied the working man. These days, light commercial vehicles can come with air-conditioning, satellite navigation and CD players, so it’s not such a big step for manufacturers like Renault to convert their commercial vehicles into practical family movers.

The Kangoo took a while to catch on in the UK as the British motoring public first had to overcome its natural aversion to driving its loved ones around in the back of a builder’s van. It didn’t take them long, however, to realise that the concept made sense both in terms of practicality and safety. For active families, the Kangoo offers the luxury of a comfortable medium size car with the added advantage that it can be easily transformed into a load-carrying vehicle with a capacious interior. An entry-level diesel model like the Kangoo 1.5-litre dCi 68 Authentique we look at here is absolutely idea for the cost-conscious modern family. Retailing at just £11,165 on the road, this Kangoo offers families on a budget the option of modern diesel power and economy at a very affordable price. Admittedly, in Authentique guise, the creature comforts are limited to remote central locking, power-assisted steering, driver’s and passenger’s airbag, ABS brakes, tinted windows and a radio/CD player but you do get a car with a four star Euro NCAP safety rating.

"The Kangoo’s chassis is based on that of the latest model Clio, which means that it's wonderfully agile around town…"

One of the best features of the Kangoo are the sliding side doors. Anyone who has returned to their car parked in a supermaket carpark only to find that tell-tale dent in the side of their vehicle will appreciate the benefits of these doors in the hands of young children as opposed to conventionally opening ones. I know that I always feel more secure parking next to a Kangoo than I do next to a conventional mini-MPV. The first things many will notice about the Kangoo are the huge elliptical headlamps that rise high into the front wings. The bonnet features a bold crease down the middle and the front grille is now of the latest Renault family face. The rear door mouldings are a good deal beefier and the protective strips running down the sides are bigger and tougher. The Kangoo’s chassis is based on that of the latest model Clio, which means that it's wonderfully agile around town, with light quick power steering, short gearing and great visibility through those huge windows. It isn't quite as confident as its supermini stable mate on the open road however - for many of the same reasons. The short gearing means you have to swap cogs regularly and the tall, thin, glassy profile can make it a little susceptible to crosswinds. In addition to offering twin front airbags and ABS, Renault have beefed up side protection in the doors. Pretensioning seatbelts and ISOFIX child seat attachments all hint at why Renault have been consistently outscoring all other manufacturers in terms of safety provision. Even Volvo. Passive safety has been a big focus for Renault in the development of this car and the engineers have developed a keen awareness of what items should be rigidly mounted and what should retain some give. Therefore there are stiff bulkheads and seat frames, plus absorbent padded doors and a collapsible steering column. This new model is the only car with a four star Euro NCAP safety rating compared to its immediate rivals the Citroen Berlingo, Fiat Doblo and the Peugeot Partner. The Kangoo 1.5-litre dCi 68 Authentique gets a 1.5-litre common-rail turbo diesel that develops a useful 68bhp. The added power of the diesel unit is a welcome feature for a vehicle of this type as it tends to be used for moving either large loads or lots of people, yet it will still return over 51.4mpg on the combined cycle. It's fairly utilitarian inside - though that's intentional: you can clean the interior with a hose if you really want to. If necessary, the rear bench pivots forward to convert the Kangoo from people carrier to a 2,500-litre estate. Moreover, thanks to those sliding side doors, it's a lot easier to access the space. Versatility is helped by the airline-style overhead bins and side bins with a total volume of 100-litres plus there’s the usual exterior plastic protection that makes a sideswipe of a farmer’s gate that little bit more insurance-friendly. The running costs of the Kangoo have been kept deliberately low by design. It sits nicely in insurance group 4E thanks to the emphasis on safety and the servicing intervals are at 18,000 miles or every two years. Buyers of the Kangoo 1.5-litre dCi 68 Authentique will also benefit from a three-year/60,000 mile warranty and three years of free Renault Roadside Assistance. The Renault Kangoo 1.5-litre dCi 68 Authentique is a welcome addition to the Kangoo range. It may not have all the bells and whistles that others offer but nevertheless it does provide an economical, practical and safe option for a family on a budget. A diesel MPV for under ten grand can’t be bad.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Kangoo 1.5-litre dCi 68 Authentique PRICE: £11,165 - on-the-road INSURANCE GROUP: 4E CO2 EMISSIONS: 146g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 16.3s / Max Speed 91mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 51.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front & side airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: length/width/heightmm 3995/1663/1894

GALLIC BRED Models Covered: 5dr MPV (1.2, 1.4, 1.5 petrol, 1.5, 1.9 diesel [RN, RXE, Alize, Helios, Authentique, Trakka])

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

It’s easy to get dewy eyed with nostalgia when remembering the Renault 4. Tough as old boots, about as sophisticated as a thumb in the eye and with styling more akin to a henhouse than a car, it had a certain peasant charm. The Renault Kangoo has taken the basic ingredients and given them a new twist. Based on a van but with additional fenestration, the Kangoo offers cheap and cheerful transport with good luggage capacity. It was fair to assume that as long as you didn’t expect sophistication you wouldn’t be disappointed. But does a used Kangoo offer anything over, say, a marginally older family estate? In a rapidly growing sector where mere appliance of the word ‘lifestyle’ is a means to bump up the prices, the unpretentious Kangoo entered near the bottom and aimed to stay there. With its commercial vehicle basis, development costs were minimised. Along with its rival, the Citroen Berlingo Multispace, the Kangoo inhabited a niche pioneered by miniature glazed Suzuki vans of the past. Parents will love it, as there’s precious little for kids to snap off or rip up.

Although the British public were slowly getting used to the idea of small vans with windows, the Kangoo was something different again. For a start, the name took some adjustment. Kangoo? Was this the start of a trend by Renault for names based on antipodean fauna minus a middle syllable? Would the market be flooded by Renault Bancoots, Kolas and Plapuses? Fortunately not, and the Kangoo name gradually became accepted, mirroring the cars light-hearted, almost ironic nature. The styling was something of an acquired taste too. Renault billed the car as its ‘Practical Joker’ but the joke appeared to have been played on the Kangoo, wearing as it did a face that looked as if it had just sat on a drawing pin. Nonetheless, it was certainly more distinctive than Citroen’s blandly styled Berlingo Multispace. It’s certainly true that the French have done basic rugged transportation better than anybody else. Rural France wouldn’t be the same without the sight of Citroens 2CVs, Renault 4s and Peugeot 104s chugging back from the boulangerie in the morning. The basic engineering involved suited the rustic way of life, but things change. When the Kangoo was launched in the UK, the range consisted of two models, both with engines that the whilst not state of the art, were nonetheless a long way removed from the state of the ark mechanicals of French cars of yore. Available with a 1.4-litre petrol engine developing 75bhp and a 65bhp 1.9-litre diesel, both borrowed from the Clio range, the Kangoo’s key market advantage came through the provision of five doors at a time when the chief rival from Citroen was only equipped with three. Both engine options were available in basic RN guise, although the 1.4 was also offered with a slightly better equipped RXE trim level. In March 2000, a 1.4 Alize limited edition version was launched, plugging a gap between the RN and RXE. A 1.4 Helios limited edition model was introduced in July, boasting, as its name suggests, twin sun roofs, thus aiming to negate the Citroen Berlingo Multispace’s USP – its full length electric sliding sunroof. September 2000 saw the fitment of Renault’s RAID anti-intruder device. In 2001 the trim levels were rationalised to a sole Authentique version and the engine selection was altered. Buyers now chose between the 1.6-litre 16v petrol and a 1.9-litre 80bhp turbodiesel. The Trekka 4x4 version was launched with the same choice of powerplants and Nissan-sourced all-wheel drive menchanicals. From the spring of 2004 onwards, all Kangoos came with ABS brakes and by the autumn of that year a 65bhp version of the 1.5 dCi powerplant was available. The diesel engines both received a power boost at the start of 2006 with the dCi 65 becoming the dCi 68 and the dCi 80 getting 84bhp. There were also minor alterations to the trim and the colour scheme range.

Practicality and lots of it. What’s notable by its absence is any semblance of wry design, clever foldaway seating arrangements and the latest high-tech engines. What the Kangoo offers are hardwearing wipe clean surfaces, rugged cargo nets, huge luggage bins and a vehicle built to withstand a hard life. If you already have one of the current generation of mini MPV s on your driveway, ask yourself when you last rearranged the interior seating into a conference table facility or indeed even filled all the seats. Probably shortly before you wondered where said passengers luggage was going to go. No such problems exist with the Kangoo. Inside, it's fairly utilitarian - though that's intentional: you can clean the interior with a hose if you really want to. If necessary, the rear bench pivots forward to convert the Kangoo from people carrier to a 2600-litre estate. Moreover, thanks to those sliding side doors, it's a lot easier to access the space. Any further versatility depends on whether you've paid extra for the plusher RXE model, which adds a 60/40 split-fold for the rear seat and a roof-mounted stowage rack inside the cabin. You also get the centre three-point rear seatbelt which really ought to be standard on the RN given the likelihood of three children being in situ across the rear bench. Other items exclusive to the RXE include a passenger airbag, electric front windows, remote control central locking, electric mirrors and an upgraded stereo. Alloy wheels, ABS and air conditioning are all optional. Useful touches include the protective mouldings that surround the car and resist the knocks and scrapes of city life. Then there are the interior rubber mats that can be taken out and placed under the tap. And the rear tailgate that opens upwards high enough for someone over 6ft5" to stand underneath in a rainstorm. There are cheaper umbrellas about but few will seat five people.

Used prices for the Kangoo settle after the steep initial depreciation has worn off. A 1999 V registered Kangoo 1.4 RN will command around £2,775 whilst an RXE will be valued at just over £2,975. Expect to pay around £2,950 for similar vintage 1.9 diesel models. Insurance is a reasonable Group 4 for all models bar the 1.4 RXE which insurers rate at Group 5. No need to cancel the Florida holiday just yet, then.

As with all cars that get used to ferry children back and forth, check for rips, stains and other damage to upholstery and minor trim parts. This isn’t such a great problem in the Kangoo because it’s so utilitarian that only the most demonic child will be able to damage. Have a good look at the load bay area, as many Kangoos will have been used for some pretty heavy duties. The fascia mouldings aren’t anything to give BMW sleepless nights and it’s possible to lose coins, keys and credit cards between ill-matched mouldings and down into the fascia innards. The mechanicals are proven technology and shouldn’t cause any significant worry. Despite this, check for its service history but even if it’s not completely pristine, the Kangoo can usually cope. Just get it in to the garage for a once-over after purchase.

(Estimated prices, based on a Kangoo 1.4RN) Coming from a commercial background where spares prices are a more significant part of the buying process, spares are very reasonable indeed. New front brake pads £50, with rears coming in at about £45. A new radiator is around £175, whilst a new air filter is around £14 and spark plugs are around £5 each.

The Kangoo's platform is based on that of the Renault Clio, which means that it's wonderfully agile around town, with light quick power steering, short gearing and great visibility through those huge windows. It isn't quite as confident as its supermini stablemate on the open road however - for many of the same reasons. The short gearing means you have to swap cogs regularly and the tall, thin, glassy profile can make it a little susceptible to crosswinds. Compensation comes in the two powerplants on offer, also lifted directly from the Clio. Opt either for a 65bhp 1.9-litre diesel or a 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit. The diesel makes more sense, travelling as it does five miles further on every gallon and endowed as it is with an extra dose of mid-range pulling power.

There’s no doubt that viewed logically, a nearly new Renault Kangoo has to be one of the most cost-effective ways of transporting the family and their luggage. It has a cheeky charm which helps you forgive its shortcomings. Its vast load area, no-nonsense rubber matting and many stowage bins means it can carry gear that far bigger vehicles would baulk at, yet somehow the paucity of bells and whistles scarcely seems to matter. Although the price makes it an economical used choice, many will question whether something like a slightly older Mondeo Estate makes a better buy. If you plan to cover long distances, then the answer would have to be yes. If, on the other hand, you like the idea of driving a car that’s still barely run in and that will still be running well after the Mondeo has shuffled off this mortal coil, the Kangoo could be the answer to a question you hadn’t thought to ask.