Renault is coming strong to the Frankfurt Motor Show. Highlights for Renault will be its new Laguna Coupe Concept, the Kangoo Compact Concept and the New Kangoo. Kangoo Compact Concept will join the Laguna coupe concept marking a wider Kangoo line-up.
Kangoo Compact Concept
Renault is all set to take the wraps off Kangoo Compact Concept at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Kangoo Compact Concept sets the tone for the new, wider Kangoo line-up. It targets young, active town- and city-dwellers who are into sport and are looking for a compact car that matches their life-style. Its expressive, robust lines are emphasized by its special two-tone color scheme that blends Fireball Orange and Brushed Aluminium. Built around a roller skating theme, the car was developed in partnership with Rollerblade, and inspired by the shared values of mobility, togetherness, and lust for life.
Less than four meter long, its rugged all-terrain look is highlighted by a ride height that has been raised 200mm, and chunky 19-inch aluminium wheels with five blue-tinged translucent spokes. It also features high-performance LED headlamps and indicators units.
With its conveniently removable rear-section roof, the Kangoo Compact Concept can carry bulky equipment or simply give its occupants the chance to enjoy an open-air drive. This Concept is powered by a 1.5 dCi 105 engine compliant with Euro IV standards and is equipped with a particulate filter. With 240Nm of torque generated from 2,200rpm, the 105hp [78 kW] powertrain is an excellent solution for short urban trips and longer journeys on the open road.
From inside, with its astute blend of Skate Blue leather and techno-look Aluminium Grey 3D mesh fabric, the concept provides passengers with an astonishing living space. The dashboard combines softly rounded volumes and curved lines with transparent, slip-proof silicone material silicon, borrowed from the roller-skating world. The navigation screen, compass, and other controls that might be useful to people out for a drive are all located in the central console, very much in the Touch Design spirit that is so dear to Renault. Additional sporty touches include the steering wheel’s slip-proof cladding, blue and fluorescent orange liquid fuel and water gauges, and the speedometer, which incorporates a manual speed limiter as well as a blue zone representing the speed range of a person on roller skates, i.e. 0 to 80kph.
The Kangoo Compact Concept Picture Gallery
The New Kangoo
On its launch in 1997, Kangoo’s affable, expressive style revolutionized the leisure utility vehicle sector. Roomy and versatile Kangoo has been a success, selling over 2,200,000 units since its launch.
At 4,213mm in length, New Kangoo’s resolutely contemporary, affable, cheery lines exert a strong appeal. Its short, chunky front end frees up space for the bright, airy passenger cabin, which is further enhanced by its steeply raked MPV-style windscreen. Some versions have pop-open windows and other others electric ones. All have large doors that open onto a comprehensively reworked interior.
The new Kangoo is 180mm longer than its forerunner and that extra length has been lavished on the cabin. Its 60:40 split-fold rear bench folds down easily in one fell swoop to form a flat load space. On some versions the front passenger seat can fold down in the same way, payload can thus be boosted from 660 liters to 2,866 liters.
New Kangoo comes complete with a diverse and comprehensive range of reliable powertrain packages to meet the needs of all motorists: two petrol engines and one diesel, and three different outputs. This offering is firmly built on strong values like robustness, reliability, economy, and respect for the environment. The New Kangoo 1.5 dCi 105 (78kW) will offer consumers a diesel engine with particulate filter from launch-day-one. Both other 1.5 dCi powertrains (70hp/50 kW and 85/63kW) fulfill Renault’s eco2 commitment, with CO2 emissions lower than 140g/km.
Developed from a C-segment platform, its 2,697-mm wheelbase lends it sound and balanced handling. All versions are equipped with the latest-generation ABS and
Emergency Brake Assist, while some feature ESP with understeer control, ASR traction control, and engine torque overrun regulation functions.
The new Kangoo features cruise control/speed limiter, automatic headlamp actuation, and wipers with automatic rain sensors, none of which was available on the previous model.
The new Kangoo is available in two petrol engines and one diesel, and three different outputs.
1) 90hp (66kW) 1.6-litre 8-valve engine
2) 105hp (78kW) 1.6-litre 16-valve engine
3) 1.5 dCi: 70hp (50kW), 85hp (63kW), 105hp (78kW), 105hp with particulate filter
The two versions of new Kangoo [the 70hp (50kW) and 85hp (63kW) 1.5 dCi versions] have received the Renault eco2 symbol, which is a sign of Renault’s effort to protect the environment. To receive the symbol, a vehicle must be manufactured in an ISO 14001-certified plant and produce CO2 emissions less than 140g/km (or run on E85 bio-ethanol or B30 bio-diesel), with atleast 5% of plastics used from recycling.
As an extension of this programme, two new bio-fuel versions of New Kangoo will be available in the second half of 2008. B30 will progressively be extended to other Euro IV-compliant engines without particulate filters and to all Euro V-compliant diesel engines.
The New Kangoo Picture Gallery
[Courtesy: Renault]
