Test drive by Renault Kangoo since 2008 Minivan

House on wheels

Renault Kangoo. The price is not determined. On sale: since 2009
In 2009, a new Renault Kangoo will appear on the Russian market. On the eve of the debut of the new version of the best-selling cargo-passenger mini-wen, we decided to get to know the Frenchman better, making a short trip from Paris to Dijon and back
Test pilot
Vladimir Makkaveev, 31 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 12 years, personal car Ford Focus
At the first fugitive sign in the parking lot at the main Parisian office of Renault near Port de Sevre, our new acquaintance seems to be a real big man. But all the fears that on the narrow streets of the French capital Kangoo will feel like an elephant in a chimney shop are scattered along with a silhouette of the Renault headquarters in the morning fog. The lack of navigation somewhat complicates the process of parting with Paris. But on the other hand, the pairs of blind circles in residential quarters near Port de Sevra are enough to get comfortable behind the wheel of a new car and make sure that, although Kangoo in his passenger hypostasis is by no means a city car, in stone jungle the French healthy man feels very much Comfortable. Already at the first kilometers of the journey, Kangoo receives tests for excessive visibility, short lower gears and soft handbrake.
In terms of sightedness, not so much the respectable glazing area in cars of a similar class is striking, but the compatibility of all elements of the visual perception of the cabin close to the ideal. Double panoramic mirrors on the windshield and huge ears of side mirrors create the illusion of the third eye. Sitting behind the wheel of Kangoo, at some point you understand that in this car you see much more than standing on the street. Just a 3D cinema on wheels! Moreover, the reality outside the window is by no means virtual.
Oddly enough, it was the semi -commercial orientation of Kangoo that allowed its designers to get rid of many complexes determined by the fashion trends of the modern auto industry. The new Kangoo is one of the representatives of the almost extinct subspecies of cars today, which are designed not outside, but from the inside. Yes, the Frenchman’s appearance is massive and, we will be frank, unpretentious. He looks strongly at the hippo. But fans of Ferrari, Porsche and other aesthetic cars would hardly have paid attention to the French hard worker. Those whom Kangoo Kangoo Comteran appearance does not bother particularly will find a whole world convenient and pleasant in all respects inside this car.
There are no fashionable futuristic solutions. The inner world of Kangoo is prosaic, but in it everything is subordinated to the practicality from significantly facilitating the loading of the sliding rear side doors to a noticeably more voluminous salon. The niche for the legs of the rear passengers increased to 210 mm, and in this aspect the new Kangoo became the most spacious in the classroom. The driver and the front passenger also did not remain in the same way. The width of the salon increased by 90 mm immediately, which not only allowed to significantly increase the comfort of placing the driver and passengers, but also increased the capacity of Kangoo even more. A flexible six -position system of transformation of the salon allows you to vary the luggage compartment of the passenger version of Kangoo on a completely fantastic scale: from 660 to 2866 liters at a maximum of cargo length up to 2.5 m. Another 77 liters of utility space are set when loading a dozen of various kinds of antires, messengers and pockets with a volume of volume from 2.5 to 23 liters. A whole house on wheels!
The same family-ascetic practicalism is felt in Kangoo manners: no excesses, but at the same time everything is as clearly and thoughtful as possible. A soft, comfortable suspension is complemented by a fairly rigid stabilizer of the transverse stability, which does not allow the machine to bump very much in corners. For measured family trips of a 105-horsepower, 16-valve 1.6-frail engine is more than enough. The engine is very resourceful, which determines the presence of only five gears and a 7.9 -liter consumption per 100 km/h in a mixed cycle. With six -speed gearboxes, only similar in power of diesel engines with a volume of 1,500 cm are equipped.
Apart from the superecological, but absolutely hopeless from the point of view of the Russian layman of bioethanol and bio-diesel versions, in Europe, Kangoo is offered in six variations: with four one and a half-liter turbodiesel engines with a capacity of 70 to 105 hp. and two gasoline atmospheric engines with a volume of 1600 cm: 8 -valve power of 90 hp. and 16 -valve capacity of 105 hp There will be no final decision about which exactly power units Kangoo will conquer the Russian open spaces in Renault. But, given that the debut of the Renault diesel engines in our market has already taken place with the new Laguna, with a sufficient degree of confidence it can be assumed that along with the gasoline version we will see one of the diesel Kangoo, most likely with an 85 -horsepower engine. Due to the short lower gears, with both of the New Kangoo engine shows a very worthy dynamics of acceleration from a place of 100 km/h: 13.0 s with a gasoline engine and 16.0 s with diesel. The brake dynamics of the large Kangoo was pleasantly surprised. If you believe the data of the manufacturer, the solid area of \u200b\u200bthe frontal section, along with the modern anti-lock system and powerful brakes: the front disks with a diameter of 280 mm and the rear with a diameter of 274 mm allow the New Kangoo to stop at a speed of 100 km/h with brakes, more characteristic of cars only 39 m.
There is no need to talk about the severity of control in relation to this class of cars. It is much more important that, despite the light excess turning, Kangoo responds to the commands of the steering control very predictably, distinguished by enviable stability both on dry and raw asphalt. All this noticeably facilitates the process of adapting to it not too sophisticated drivers who have a minor experience in managing more compact cars.
Komtrans
Along with the passenger version, the new Kangoo: New Kangoo Express and New Kangoo Express Compact will also appear in the market. The first of them is 4.213 m long has a luggage compartment with a volume of 3-3.5 m3 and is equipped with the same gasoline and diesel engines as the Kangoo passenger. At the same time, only the Express modification is available with the gasoline engine, while the version with a diesel power unit provides for the possibility of choosing between one- and double models. As for the mini-LCV Kangoo Express Compact 3.829 m long and the luggage compartment capacity of 2.3-2.9 m3, then in Europe this model is equipped with only three engines: 85 hp gasoline capacity. and two diesels with a capacity of 70 and 85 hp. All three models provide for single and double modifications.

Driving
The suspension does not allow significant side rolls in corners. We are stable and predicting in management, has a good dynamics of braking.
   
Salon
The spacious salon pleases with its volumes, but is somewhat disappointed with the quality of the finish.
   
Comfort
The car allows you to transfer long distances without stress. But the side support of the seats is practically absent.
   
Safety
Equipped with all the latest systems of active and passive safety.
   
Price
Not determined.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Large capacity, excellent visibility.
- unpretentious appearance, cheap plastic of the interior decoration.
Specifications
Mark and model - New Renault Kangoo
Dimensions - 4213x1829x1839 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1598 cm3, 105 hp/3750 min -1
Transmission - mechanical, 5 -speed
Dynamics - max 170 km/h; 13.0 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Citroen Berlingo, Fiat Doblo, Peugeot Partner

Our opinion
As a second car in a family, it is ideal for country travels to a summer house or picnics, and for providing household needs. As a weekend car is aimed at medium -class families with 23 children, on weekdays it can also be used as a semi -commercial car.

Author: Vladimir Makkaveev
 
   
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [November 2008]