Renault electrifies the Kangoo small combi van
Renault is putting the spotlight on the electric passenger car variant of its new Kangoo city vehicle at the Paris Motor Show next week. The new electric combi van called Kangoo E-Tech Electric has an electric motor with 90 kW power and a battery with 45 kWh capacity.
The Kangoo E-Tech Electric is an all-electric version of the small combi vehicle introduced in 1997. The electric drive data mentioned are already familiar from the Rapid E-Tech Electric small commercial van presented in June and the Nissan Townstar since both belong to the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance.
One difference to both Nissan’s Townstar and the commercial electric Kangoo van, is that Renault states a WLTP range of up to 285 kilometres according to WLTP for this passenger version – and not 300 kilometres as with the other two. The new model is manufactured in Maubeuge in the north of France. Details on the launch and prices have not yet been made public.
The Kangoo E-Tech Electric in the passenger car version will have a second row of seats (for adults, they highlight). Although the vehicle offers no more seats than a regular car, it does offer considerable boot space, which has a volume of 850 litres. The vehicle is most versatile with its ability to slide the back seats to the side and expand the boot space to up to 2,500 litres. Visually, the electric Kangoo differs from its combustion-engine counterpart only in its individual radiator grille.
The charging connection is hidden behind the Renault emblem. AC charging takes place with 11 or optionally 22 kW. In the latter case, fast charging with direct current and a charging power of 80 kW is also possible. Those who only choose the 11 kW onboard charger, cannot fast charge.
As with the commercial vehicle version, the battery, in combination with the 22 kW charger, is liquid-cooled. Renault guarantees the battery for eight years or 160,000 kilometres. Renault says if its capacity falls below 70 per cent of the rated capacity, it will be replaced free of charge.
Other features of the new model highlighted by the French company include a customisable 10-inch instrument cluster in the vehicle’s cockpit and a total of 14 driver assistance systems (including autonomous driving at level two). In addition, the new E-Kangoo also features dual-zone air conditioning powered by a heat pump, a heated windscreen and heated steering wheel and seats.
On the road, as usual with Renault, drivers can set three driving modes and three recuperation levels. The electric Kangoo will also be available in three equipment lines called Authentic, Equilibre and Techno.
Renault produces the model (commercial vehicle and passenger car variant) as well as the sister models Nissan Townstar and Mercedes-Benz eCitan at the Maubeuge site. Along with the factories in Douai and Ruitz, the plant forms Renault’s new ElectriCity centre of excellence, which the manufacturer claims is “Europe’s largest and most competitive electric vehicle production centre”. Renault plans to produce 480,000 electric vehicles per year at these sites by 2025.
Just a few days ago, Renault mobility brand Mobilize presented the Twizy successor Duo and its cargo offshoot Bento in detail before the Paris Motor Show.
