Preview: New Renault Kangoo Express Maxi

NEW RENAULT KANGOO EXPRESS MAXI AND NEW RENAULT TRAFIC: RENAULT'S LIGHT COMMERCIAL FAMILY GETS BIGGER AND BETTER

Following the recent launch of New Renault Master, Renault is stepping up its product offensive with the introduction of two further new models: New Renault Kangoo Express Maxi and New Renault Trafic.

The launch of New Kangoo Express Maxi sees Renault become the market's only manufacturer to cover the complete spectrum of business user needs by offering the same compact van in a choice of three different sizes. This new version is almost 39cm longer than Kangoo Express and boasts an additional cubic metre of load volume.

New Renault Trafic is more comfortable and more economical than ever. The flagship passenger-carrying model, the limited-series 'Black Edition', radiates the new design values of New Trafic with a top-of-the-range executive look.

Renault has been the number-one brand in the European light commercial vehicle market for 12 years on the trot, with a market share of 14.8 per cent in 2009.

The Carminat TomTom® navigation system (version 1.1) was first introduced on the Renault Kangoo in January 2010. It is now being made available across the complete Renault light commercial vehicle range and will enable business users to optimize their route planning and thus cut their fuel bills.

NEW RENAULT KANGOO EXPRESS MAXI:
THE RENAULT COMPACT VAN RANGE GETS BIGGER

From the moment it was launched, the second-generation Renault Kangoo Express was a big hit. In 2009, New Renault Kangoo Express came top of its segment in Europe with a 14.5 per cent share of the market.

Responding ever more closely to the requirements of business users, Renault is now launching Kangoo Express Maxi. Alongside Renault Kangoo Express Compact and Renault Kangoo Express, Kangoo Express Maxi completes the Renault compact van range.

Extended by almost 39cm, the new model is available as either a two-seater or a five-seater. It offers a useful load volume of up to 4.6m and a maximum load length at floor level of 2.9 metres. Renault Kangoo Express Maxi features an even more modular interior, as well as a choice of fuel-efficient powertrains.

Bigger van, same high standard of roadholding

With an overall length of 4.60 metres, Renault Kangoo Express Maxi is almost 39 cm (384mm) longer than Renault Kangoo Express. All of this extra length is contained within the 3.1 metre wheelbase, giving Renault Kangoo Express Maxi excellent road manners.

Maximum load length increases by the same 39cm, boosting it to 2.9 metres. Renault Kangoo Express Maxi boasts the best interior loadspace measurements in the big volume compact van segment, yet at the same time offering the exterior size and easy manoeuvrability of an MPV. Renault Kangoo Express Maxi does not have a raised roof, so its overall height is just 1.82 metres, making it compact enough to use city-centre car parks.

Boasting an extra cubic metre of load volume over and above that of Renault Kangoo Express, the new model’s load capacity rises all the way to 4.6m , for a payload of 800kg. In terms of towing capacity it can handle a braked trailer weight of 1.05 tonnes.

Part of the professional toolkit and even more flexible

Aimed principally at business users seeking maximum load volume and flexibility within a compact footprint, Kangoo Express Maxi is available with either two or five seats. In certain markets the five-seater model will be available in “Cabine Approfondie” form.

Each of these versions offers unprecedented flexibility to adapt to every type of need:

The two-seater version offers a maximum load volume of 4.6m and a payload of 800kg. It may be equipped with a folding passenger seat, allowing the maximum load length at floor level to be extended from 2.1 metres to 2.9 metres (with seat in folded position). Compared with Renault Kangoo Express, these are increases of almost 39cm and 1m.

Renault Kangoo Express Maxi “Cabine Approfondie” is a five-seater offering a maximum load length at floor level of 1.43 metres (2.05 metres with the rear benchseat folded). It features an innovative folding rear seat linked to a wire mesh bulkhead, which can be folded in a single, easy movement. In this new and unique configuration, Kangoo Maxi has a maximum load volume of 3.6m and a payload of 740kg.

The five-seater Renault Kangoo Express Maxi Crew Van has a maximum load length at floor level of 1.33 metres (2.2 metres with the rear benchseat folded) and a payload of 740kg. It is highly flexible and can be configured in four different permutations thanks to its 60/40-split folding rear seat. This arrangement allows the load volume to be adjusted depending on the number of passengers on board. Depending on the regulations of the destination market, it is fitted with either a cargo securing net or a fixed wire mesh bulkhead.

All versions of Renault Kangoo Express Maxi are fitted as standard with a sliding door on the right hand side to enable easy access to the load space. A sliding door for the left hand side is available as an option.

A unique and economical range of compact vans

Renault Kangoo Express Maxi is a business tool that majors on economy, with a range of low-consumption diesel engines boasting CO2 emissions among the lowest on the market. The 1.5 dCi 85 powerplant returns average combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.3 litres/100km, and less than 6 litres/100km on the urban cycle. This engine is available for both the two- and five-seater versions and emits 140g of CO2 per kilometre.

As with the entire Renault light commercial vehicle line-up, Kangoo Express Maxi can be equipped with the Carminat TomTom® navigation system allowing business itineraries to be optimized and unnecessary mileage to be avoided (for further information, see the Carminat TomTom® press release dated February 8, 2010).

With the launch of this new addition to its light commercial vehicle family, Renault can now boast a comprehensive and well-structured range of compact vans available in three different lengths.

Launching from end of April 2010, New Renault Kangoo Express Maxi is assembled at the MCA Maubeuge plant, in France, and will give Renault a highly competitive presence in the growing segment for big volume compact vans.