Updated Renault Kangoo launched

The new mini van is longer, wider, has more standard features and is available with a petrol or diesel engine.

Importantly, it can also carry more with the cargo capacity increasing across the range. The diesel Kangoo's carrying capacity increases from 2.75 cubic metres to 3 cubic metres, while the payload has increased from 530kg to 800kg. The petrol Kangoo has the same cargo room and its payload has risen to 650kg, up from 530kg.

The petrol unit is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder with 78kW at 5750 revs and 148Nm at 3750 revs and is linked to a four-speed automatic transmission. This engine and transmission combination delivers an official combined fuel economy figure of 8.3 litres per 100km.

The 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine generates 63kW at 3750 revs and 200Nm at 1900 revs and is linked to a five-speed manual transmission.

This is the economical choice, with the diesel returning the impressive fuel economy rating of just 5.2L/100km, which means it is the most miserly van in its class.

The new Kangoo is built off the same base as the Scenic people mover, which Renault says means it has a similar level of driving refinement to a passenger vehicle.

It is 178mm longer than the old model and 102mm wider, while the wheelbase has been stretched to 2697mm, 100mm longer than the existing model.

The internal load length, when the passenger seat is upright, is up by 60mm to 1731mm while there is now 1218mm of space between the rear wheel arches.

There is a left hand door as standard, while an additional right hand door is available as an option.

Renault has upgraded the exterior, with a new look that borrows cues from the European Twingo baby car. It has also fitted some handy standard equipment including Bluetooth phone connectivity, airconditioning and cruise control.

Other standard features include electric windows, electric wing mirrors that fold back and also have a heater function, a trip computer, a height adjustable steering wheel, fog lights, a load liner and protection bars located behind the driver's seat.

The Kangoo comes standard with anti skid disc brakes and a driver's side front airbag and pre-tensioning seatbelts.

You can get electronic stability control (ESC) as an option for the petrol model but not the diesel, while a front passenger airbag as well as side airbags for the driver and passenger are optional on both.