With the recent market introduction of its new range, the Kangoo Express is now offered in a 4x4 version. At the same time, the Kangoo Express also benefits from a 1.2 LPG engine with a new multipoint gaseous injection system. As for the 1.2 16V petrol engine, that will become available from the beginning of 2002. The Kangoo Express also offers Emergency Brake Assist, a rare feature in the commercial vehicle market, in combination with its ABS option. Again with the object of optimizing active safety, the new Kangoo Express range is equipped with larger front disc brakes, of 259 instead of 238mm diameter. Travelling comfort has also been improved with a new interior colour scheme and new upholstery, as well as technical changes which have improved acoustics.
Derived from the existing 4x4 passenger version of the Kangoo, the Kangoo Express 4x4 receives changes to adapt it for professional use. Available from the beginning of 2002, the Kangoo Express 4x4 will thus, as the first standard 4x4 light van, take a further step forward in better adapting itself to all customer needs, whether those of artisans, merchants or fleet operators. Intended for professionals who must carry out their duties in difficult conditions, the Kangoo Express 4x4 is equipped with permanent 4-wheel drive and will be powered by the 1.9 dCi common-rail turbodiesel engine developing 80bhp. External aesthetic features useful in all-surface operation distinguish it from its front-driven counterpart.
Kangoo Express 4x4
In order to meet the requirements of many business operators (Gas and Electricity Boards, the National Forestry Office, Post Office, traders and workmen...) operating in difficult terrain, Renault now offers the SUV version of the Kangoo in a commercial form. Faithful to the spirit of the Kangoo, the Kangoo Express 4x4 becomes the first production 4x4 light van. The Kangoo Express 4x4 retains the permanent 4-wheel drive transmission and the 1.9 dCi common-rail turbodiesel engine of the SUV version and combines them with all the functionality of the Kangoo Express.
For Jacques Fouriez, marketing director for the Kangoo range, "The Kangoo Express 4x4 is a tool designed to make life easier for business operators carrying out their duties in difficult terrain, with remarkable adaptability combined with benchmark load capacity and load volume/compactness ratio". With in addition "a genuine pleasure in operation, thanks to distinctive and attractive looks, an engine which combines power and flexibility, as well as the traction provided by its 4-wheel drive transmission."
The Kangoo Express 4x4 combines the adaptive abilities of a true all-surface vehicle equally capable of limited off-road operation, with the well known qualities of the Kangoo Express, in other words:
Load capacity and compactness with a useful load of 600 kg, a load platform length of up to 2.50 metres and a maximum load volume of 2.9 m3 in a vehicle which is less than 4 metres long.
Practicality and efficiency with doors of generous size, as well as a whole range of stowages including the front overhead shelf (the "capucine") and door bins.
External design matched to operating conditions
The Kangoo Express 4x4 is equipped with external features useful to its all-surface operation, such as special front and rear bumpers which improve vehicle protection. To enhance its all-surface abilities, the Kangoo Express 4x4 is equipped with 15-inch "Aria" steel wheels and its ground clearance is increased by 40mm. The Kangoo Express 4x4 thus presents a distinctive appearance when seen alongside the 4x2 version.
As in the front-driven versions, the new two-tone light Nutmeg interior colour scheme is combined with "Tortella" upholstery. The spare wheel is housed within the vehicle, in a vertical position. In order to retain optimum load volume and practicality, three supports have been developed for three different wheel positions. The choice of position is determined by the body type (with or without one or two sliding side door(s), and the type of bulkhead (fixed or hinged).
Efficiency and driving comfort with permanent 4-wheel drive and an 80bhp 1.9 dCi common-rail turbodiesel
A versatile commercial vehicle, the Kangoo Express 4x4 allows more varied mission profiles to be undertaken by combining efficiency with lower operating costs. The Kangoo Express 4x4 is thus equipped with an automatic torque coupling and rear final drive unit of Nissan origin. The changeover to 4x4 mode takes place automatically, whenever the front wheels start to spin, with no intervention on the part of the driver.
The ATC automatically varies the front-to-rear torque split according to operating condition and under the control of three laws which depend on the speed of the vehicle. These three laws allow the transfer of torque, fuel consumption and performance to be optimized. In addition, a traction control system operates on the front wheels to avert any loss of grip. Note that the twin-output gearbox is taken from the Scénic RX4.
The ATC (Automatic Torque Coupling) adaptive hydraulic coupling comprises a rotor with nine pistons and a hydraulic circuit. The rotor is connected to the rear wheels, and the casing to the front wheels. Whenever a speed difference occurs between the front and rear wheels, the pistons are driven by the cam, creating pressure in the hydraulic fluid. The pressure created within the hydraulic circuit then exerts a resistive load on the pistons, making the sliding motion of the cam relative to the pistons more and more difficult. Because the cam drives the rotor, this links the front and rear wheels and transfers torque.
The Kangoo Express 4x4 retains a MacPherson type front suspension but with strengthened components and increased wheel travel. The rear suspension is entirely new. Its design resembles that of Scénic RX4, making use of trailing arms which allow an excellent trade-off between comfort and grip on all kinds of terrain. The whole of the rear suspension and transmission is mounted to a subframe, itself attached to the body via Silentbloc mountings which filter out noise and shock.
The Kangoo Express 4x4 has an unladen ground clearance of 200 mm (180 mm fully laden)) and its terrain clearance values are as follows:
- Approach angle: 27° laden / 28° empty
- Escape angle: 28° laden / 35° empty
- Cresting angle: 16° laden / 20° empty
- Fording depth: 400 mm
- Hill starting laden: 27%
- Maximum tilt empty: 47%
For all-surface operation, protective panels beneath the vehicle provide effective protection for the engine and transmission assembly, brake and fuel pipes, and the fuel tank.
The brake system is uprated with four 280mm discs (ventilated at the front). In the Kangoo Express 4x4, they are combined as standard with ABS plus Emergency Brake Assist. Together, these features provide the Kangoo Express 4x4 with an excellent level of active safety. The 15-inch wheels, shod with mixed road/all-surface 185/65R15 tyres specially developed for the Kangoo 4x4, optimize transmission of the engine’s power and torque. The Kangoo Express 4x4 thus achieves good traction on all types of surface without affecting the response and fuel economy of the vehicle.
The Kangoo Express 4x4 is powered by a version of the 1.9 dCi common-rail turbodiesel engine specific to this model, and derived from that which equips the Megane and Scenic. Adapted to the mission profile of the Kangoo 4x4, its power has been deliberately restricted to 80bhp (59 kW at 4,000rpm) so as to achieve an optimum balance between performance and operating costs. Thanks to its high torque output of 180 Nm (18.7 mkg) available from 2,000rpm, ease of driving is optimised, especially in difficult conditions. Finally, its mixed-cycle fuel consumption is only 7.4 litres/100km.
Based on the new Kangoo Express range, the Kangoo Express 4x4 naturally also benefits from improvements made to the front-drive versions in terms of structural strengthening and noise insulation.
Two versions of the Kangoo Express 4x4
The Kangoo Express 4x4 range is offered with two levels of finish: Grand Confort and Pack Grand Confort.
Grand Confort 4x4
- The entry-level version of the Kangoo Express 4x4 includes the following features as standard:
- ABS + Emergency Brake Assist
- Traction control
- Driver airbag
- Load limiters in front seat safety belts
- Front safety belt pretensioners
- Close-contact front head restraints
- Electronic immobilizer
- Wide side protection mouldings
- Renault anti-intrusion device (RAID)
- Radio-frequency remote controlled central locking
- Two aspherical door mirrors with manual interior adjustment
- Power assisted steering
- Rear compartment lighting
- Two-tone "Nutmeg" interior colour scheme
- 15-inch "Aria" steel wheels
- Glazed asymmetric rear doors, with heated rear window and rear wash/wide
- Four tie-down rings in load area
- Stowage shelf above front seats ("capucine")
- Headlamp interior height adjustment
- Cloth "Tortella" upholstery
- Folding passenger seat with pivoting grille bulkhead
- Rubber load compartment floor covering
- Permanent 4-wheel drive with adaptive hydraulic coupling
- High filtering-power tinted glass
Pack Grand Confort 4x4
- This version takes the Grand Confort version as its basis and is in addition equipped with a glazed sliding right-hand side door.
The Kangoo Express 4x4 will be available in the same 11 colours as the new Kangoo Express range from the beginning of 2002.
