Renault Kangoo
Cars and trucks Renault Canggu are produced in France (Maubeuge) since 1997. The express van has no windows in the rear. They also produce an extended version of the "Express Maxi" with an enlarged cargo compartment.
Renault Cangu is equipped with a 1.4 liter gasoline engine rated at 55 kW / 75 liters. with. and a 1.5 liter diesel engine (48 kW / 65 hp) in combination with a manual gearbox. A four-speed Proactive automatic was also installed on a car with a gasoline engine. In 2001, the all-wheel drive "Kangoo 4x4" was released.
In 2003, the exterior and interior were modernized, a 16-valve 1.6-liter gasoline engine, 70 kW / 95 liters, appeared. with. and turbo diesel 1.9 l, 63 kW / 85 l. with.
Multifunctional cars like "Canggu" in France are called "ludospas", in the free translation - "a lot of space for fun." Spaces on wheels, of course. Around these "mobile spaces" is a serious competition. As soon as Peugeot and Citroen renewed the Partner and Berlingo last year, Renault immediately responded by modernizing the Canggu. By the way, unlike competitors, Kangoo has a serial version with all-wheel drive transmission, which immediately raises its status in the eyes of travelers choosing difficult routes. True, this is not officially delivered to Russia.
SANDWICH AND SHELVES
Cosmetic operations made Kanga more stylish in the spirit of the company's new design. And now even a cursory glance at him is enough to accurately determine the affiliation to the rhombic clan.
Enjoying the impressive interior space, I try to understand in detail what is new inside. The front panel is original: visually it is divided into three parts. A kind of sandwich: white bread, butter and black caviar on top. The role of bread is performed by the powerful lower part of the panel made of light plastic. It includes a glove box, a center console "torn" from the floor with a receiver and four control knobs - heating, ventilation and air conditioning; unit for adjusting rear-view mirrors and headlight range control; rear window heating switch. In the role of oil is a strip with ventilation deflectors. Crowns all caviar black layer. Such a comparison was born of itself due to the granular texture of the plastic. In the "black" part of the front panel there are devices, an audio center display, small notches in the right part and a "grid" of speakers at the edges.
By the way, the new panel, combined with the modified form of the basic body elements, significantly increased the passive safety of the Kangu, reducing the risk of knee injury.
Power windows control units are hidden in the side pockets of the front doors. The door sides are made of fairly hard light plastic, of which the front panel is made, but to add comfort, the armrest was covered with fabric. Sliding rear doors are devoid of "extenuating circumstances", and the windows in them can only be ajar.
Genuine convenience for people traveling and practical, of course, in the abundance of shelves and drawers. In addition to the traditional glove box, there is an open shelf above the windshield and boxes with hinged covers under the ceiling behind the front seats, two on each side. In appearance, the shelves are modest, but very impressive in volume: about 100 liters.
ON THE SPANISH TURN
Check updated "Cangu" happened on the roads of Spain. Some disappointment befell me when, sitting behind the wheel, I did not find its adjustments, although I knew that the designers had worked on the steering mechanism. It turned out that the changes affected only the device for folding the safety column. The driver's seat is adjusted in the longitudinal direction and in the angle of inclination of the back; neither raise the pillow nor lower it. At the same time, the seat is comfortable and you can get behind the wheel quite comfortably. According to the designers, in the manufacture of seats used a new foam, providing better lateral support. Caring for the driver is also manifested in large, really comfortable electrically adjustable rear-view mirrors.
While traveling around the city and often squeezing the clutch, you do not immediately notice the lack of a platform under the left foot. And having left on the track, you understand that it would not be superfluous.
The engine is quite lively, but not too pulling. When driving uphill, a lack of traction is felt in the range from low to medium speed. But the new Kangoo is noticeably quieter than its predecessor. This was facilitated by a change in the fastening of the power unit, as well as new sound-absorbing panels.
At a speed of a hundred, gusts of crosswind are very noticeable. The driver needs to be ready for them, driving into the open space. It seemed to me that at the corners the car is prone to sideways buildup, but at the same time holds the road quite tenaciously. It may be worth changing the suspension settings a bit.
However, the Kangoo was not created to satisfy the ambitions of the riders. Its task is to provide comfort and joy during long trips.
Rear sliding doors are comfortable
and practical. Wide plastic
side pads harmonize
with bumper pads.
There are large shelves under the ceiling,