Turbo-petrol boosts new Renault Kangoo range

RENAULT Australia has revamped its Kangoo workhorse petrol range with the introduction of a turbocharged 1.2-litre powerplant to supersede the ageing 1.6-litre atmo engine, promising more power and better fuel efficiency.

Other updates – including changes to both manual and automatic transmissions, boosted safety technologies, and optional equipment – will also help keep the light-commercial Kangoo fresh for 2017, but the tweaks will incur a $1500 price rise on petrol-powered models.

Headlining the changes is the new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, an engine derived from Renault’s Clio, Captur and Megane passenger cars, but retuned for more low down torque in the Kangoo.

The all-aluminium engine delivers peak power of 84kW at 4500rpm, while maximum torque of 190Nm is available from 2000 to 4000rpm, a 6kW/42Nm improvement over the outgoing 1.6-litre unit.

Power is also delivered 1500rpm sooner, while torque is available over a wider rev range in the new Kangoo.

Renault Australia light-commercial vehicles senior model line manager Lyndon Healey said the new engine is much better suited to daily city driving compared to the outgoing powerplant.

“The torque output and spread is much improved on this new engine, which is also noticeably smoother and quieter,” he said.

“The result is improved driveability, with substantially better low-speed performance and a much more relaxed drive.”

A ten kilogram weight reduction in the engine combined with an idle stop system and Eco driving mode contribute to a 21 per cent improved fuel economy rating, down to 6.2 litres per 100km from 7.7L/100km.

Also adding to the improved consumption figures is a new six-speed manual gearbox taken from the last-generation Clio RS and retuned dual-clutch automatic transmission, both of which have been tweaked for lower engine revs while cruising at 100km/h.

The introduction of the new engine also sees Renault add hill-start assist, cruise control, driver and passenger side airbags, reverse parking sensors and a load area cargo mat as standard in all petrol variety Kangoos.

New 1.2-litre-powered Kangoos will cop a $1500 price hike to $23,490 before on-road costs, compared with last year’s 1.6-litre model.

Dual-clutch automatic-equipped versions are $3000 more expensive at $26,490, while pricing for the 1.5-litre turbo-diesel Maxi and Maxi Crew remain static at $26,990 and $29,490 respectively.

Options on the new petrol Kangoo range include a Pro Pack, which bundles a reversing camera, satellite navigation, 7.0-inch R-Link colour touchscreen, glazed rear and side windows, and increased in-cabin storage, as well as 15-inch alloy wheels, retractable roof flap and anti-slip floors.

Last year, Renault found 1118 new homes for its Kangoo light-commercial vehicle, a five per cent dip on the 1177 sales it tallied in 2015. The Kangoo was only outsold by the Volkswagen Caddy Van (1706) in the vans and commercial vehicles under 2.5 tonnes category.



2017 Renault Kangoo pricing*

1.2 litre turbocharged petrol 84kW	$23,490
1.2 litre turbocharged petrol 84kW (a)	$26,490
1.5 litre turbo diesel Maxi	$26,990
1.5 litre diesel Maxi Crew	$29,490

*Excludes on-road costs