Renault Kangoo E-Tech Reviews

Vettel repeated Webber's first-day domination by taking his RB7 racer to the top of the times on the second day of the final pre-season test ahead leading up to the Australian Grand Prix.Once again, the Bulls' margin to their nearest challenge was clear and obvious around the Barcelona track, although this time it was Sebastian Buemi of Toro Rosso who best-of-the-rest. McLaren, which was runner-up on day one thanks to Jenson Button, was only fourth as Lewis Hamilton jumped into the action while Ferrari, Mercedes and Williams were back in the pack after starting their track work a day late."The speed looks good as far as  we can judge, but I think we have to wait until after Melbourne - maybe in Malaysia or China - to really see where we are," Vettel said."It was a good day and a good time, although to be honest, it's difficult to say where we are, as the lap times of the teams are all over the place." Buemi was quick in the B-team for Red Bull, although no-one is expecting Toro Rosso to be a serious contender at Albert Park."We showed a reasonable performance level and the team did a very good job in preparing the car so well. Overall, it has been a productive test. Now, we must wait and see if we can make even more progress over the next two days with Jaime driving and then we can see where we really are when we get to Melbourne," said Buemi.The other repeat from Monday's track work was Vitaly Petrov's run to the third-quickest time in his Renault.  "The most important thing was to complete the race distance, which we managed this afternoon. It's the first time I've been able to do consistent long runs and really start understanding the tyres," Petrov said.Ferrari said it was not chasing pace with the 150, as Felipe Massa logged an impressive 101 laps to bed-in some aerodynamic changes since the most-recent test.McLaren had a disrupted day as a hydraulic failure stopped Hamilton in the morning and then his car had an exhaust problem in the afternoon. But the former world champion is not optimistic about Albert Park. "Do I believe I have a car to win the world championship at the moment?"I don't. No," Hamilton said. "It was a bit on-and-off today, it wasn't a great day for us, but in terms of how the car felt there was an improvement with some of the upgrades we have. So that is at least a positive, it's not all negative."From today, the improvements we've had, it's something that can grow to be better, so as long as we keep pushing in the right direction with the development, and the new things we have coming several races down the line, hopefully they will enable us to close the gap and compete for wins."BARCELONA TESTING - Day 21. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1:21.8652. Sebastian Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:22.3963. Vitaly Petrov, Renault, 1:22.6704. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:22.8885. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:23.3246. Paul di Resta, Force India-Mercedes, 1:24.3347. Kamui Kobayashi, Sauber-Ferrari, 1:24.4368. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:25.8079. Jarno Trulli, Lotus-Renault, 1:26.09010. Pastor Maldonado, Williams-Cosworth, 1:26.989

This is not so much the best hot hatch for anything like the money as something that stands the hot hatch category on its head, shakes out its pockets and shoots through with its keys. Everything comparable is over priced or too polite.A hot hatch is traditionally a top line but still relatively affordable model, one that is essentially a tooled up version of a humbler shopping trolley. And yes, the stunning RS 250 is derived from Renault's modest Megane (a car with much to be modest about).It has, however, as much commonality with its parts donor as a sub-machine gun with a musket.VALUEIf performance were the sole measure, we'd be moving on straight away, attaining 100km/h all of 6.1 seconds after we'd started (about the time taken to recite in full the model's name). Pace, as we'll see, is not even half the story.In tangible and tactile terms, the Cup edition gets sports seats, leather steering wheel and matching gearknob, carbon-fibre-effect dash, onboard telemetry via the Renault Sport Monitor and a Power Start feature that controls wheelspin under flat-out acceleration.The (even) more track-focused Cup Trophy gets rear seat space eating Recaro thrones, tyre pressure monitoring, folding mirror, smart card key with neat its hands-free entry and engine start functions, Bluetooth, iPOD audio streaming, dual zone climate control, RS Monitor Display and entirely necessary rear parking sensors.There's also optional 19s with smoky alloys. Go on. You know you want to.TECHNOLOGYMulti-stage electronic stability program allows increasing degrees of freedom, though as is true of the whole construct, you really want a racetrack to play with it. Engaging its Sport setting in turn allows access to the torque regulator's Sport and Extreme mode via the stalk mounted "mouse".No gimmick these. All are genuinely distinctive and useful, though you're almost always going to choose Linear in urban running and Sport whenever circumstances permit impactful acceleration.For all the plethora of info charted through the centre console - G-Forces, lap times, gear shift alert warnings - it's the 250's tried and true tech that most manifests itself. That's a mechanical limited slip differential up front - as opposed to an electronic approximation (a la Golf GTI) - and a rear torsion bar. The suspension is bespoke, lowered and tautened.SAFETYObserve, as if you could avoid seeing them, the immense, bright red Brembo four-piston brake callipers gripping huge 340mm ventilated disc rotors on the front wheels and solid 290mm jobs at the back.There's seatbelt warning lights for all five seats (though how you can hardly be unaware of the bright yellow straps), tyre pressure monitoring, bi-Xenon directional headlamps, auto headlamp activation, auto windscreen-wiper activation, cruise control, speed limiter, ESP with understeer control and emergency brake assist. The spare's a 17-incher.DESIGNAs the danger of going over the top loomed, Renault's designers applied the Brembos hard, leaving the 250 teetering on the brink of the overly stylised. Make of it what you will it is distinctive and, in a dark metallic as opposed to signature yellow, faintly menacing - all flared wheel arches, sharp creases and day time running lights that, somehow, appear reptilian.Opening the door is to appreciate the most obvious connection to the (much) lesser Megane, though the impression is rapidly overwhelmed by the racing accents: Recaros, yellow rev counter, a highly adjustable full grain leather steering wheel and aluminium pedals (and footrest - merci for that small mercy).DRIVINGWhen the 250 ceases to affect you, you're either hopelessly blasé or in need of rehab. It's an adult dose.Blast off from standing. There's minor but discernable hesitation, then an avalanche of torque and some amiable jiggling through the wheel. It doesn't come on as fluidly as we've come to expect from the direct injected turbo fours like the Golfs GTI and R; more in the manner of a jab to the solar plexus.Raw acceleration numbers are bested by others listed here, but in the French car the process feels more, shall we say, outré? That would be meaningless if it wasn't carried so utterly ably when the road ceases to be straight.This is where the 250 departs from the pack, holding the chosen line with amazing tenacity and an equally eye-widening absence of body roll or understeer. I'm reduced to the cliché that it corners as though on rails. If you remain convinced a front wheel drive hottie cannot be gratifying, here's one you must try.Can this be electric steering? There's another preconception with which we can dispense; this is completely linear, amply informative.Even for a practised but middling driver, such as me, on public roads, the 250 is a joyous thing, an almost unrecognisably enhanced shopping device perhaps, but one surely capable in more assured hands than mine (and on a race track) of undoing high end performance machines for which made sums are demanded.Yet in urban surrounds, Frenchie is almost urbane, acceptably firm but not skittish. With torque delivery dialled down you can negotiate car parks just as adeptly as a quiet B-road cutting. Not perfect perhaps, but, pound for pound, perilously close.VERDICTThe hot hatch to have; a joyous giant slayer.

The Captur will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1 and already the French company is talking about its potential impact. It follows Renault's great looking two-seater DeZir coupe concept and was created under the direction of new design chief, Laurens van den Acker."I'm quite sure the Captur is being used to test design cues for future production models. It's not exactly like what we'll see but it gives a very good taste," says Justin Hocevar, managing director of Renault Australia. "This is part of a concept vehicle stratgegy that kicked off with DeZir.Laurens Van Den acker is communicating the future design direction and this is the next instalment. We're exploring all avenues to grow." The Captur is said by Renault to preview a future road car. "Captur is a fun and sporty crossover, ideal for a young couple about to discover the world," says van den Acker.It is powered by a twin-turbo diesel engine for plenty of punch with low CO2 emissions of just 99 grams/kilometre. Renault says it has a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.0 seconds thanks to an engine with 180 kiloWatts and 380 Newton-metres from just 1.6 litres.It is also fitted with a locking mechanical differential, to boost its front-wheel drive traction in slippery conditions, and a forward looking camera at the top of the windscreen - called Visio-system - to provide the sort of driver-assistance functions already available at Volvo, Benz and other brands.Hocevar says he is looking forward to the arrival of the next-generation Renault models as he continues work to rebuild the brand's support in Australia. The Megane got price cuts and a new hero car last year and he says the results are starting to show among shoppers. "We've still got a long way to go with rebuilding the brand in Australia, but our enquiry has increased to record levels," he says."It's under the halo of the RS250, which is a hero car that has really helped put the brand back on the map. I think we've done a very good job of positioning these cars at the appropriate levels. We're sitting against premium Japanese compact cars as an entry to the European market."

According to Renault F1 chief designer Pat Symonds, ground-effects aerodynamics and turbocharging, both of which were banned in the 1980s, could return. Writing in F1 Racing magazine, Symonds sees the 2020 F1 car also having low-profile tyres on bigger wheels, Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) that produce 185kW and a standard, non-downforce rear wing. His vision of a future F1 car takes into account the likelihood of future rules on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. F1 teams have already been instructed to reduce fuel consumption by 35 per cent, while a more environmentally-friendly 1.6-litre turbo engine will be introduced in 2013. "Taking into consideration all the variant motivators that drive regulations, I expect that the F1 car of 2020 will demonstrate much more change than has been seen over the past 10 years," he says.

As a coupe the Renault Megane is a smart Euro-styled car with a huge glass roof, but it comes into its own when the hardtop is stowed for open-air motoring.ValueTHE pleasure of roof-down motoring is a $16,000 premium over the top-spec Megane hatch and adds 160kg to the weight. That puts it right in the running for compact cabrio buyers.  The competition is fierce with the Ford Focus, Holden Astra and VW Eos all within $1000.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, though, which is why Renault Australia expects this car to grab a solid slice of the market.TechnologyTHE Karmann-designed folding hardtop isn't the quickest operating system on sale, but it does a good job of insulating the occupants from exterior noise.  Renault also worked to quieten the car when stationary and it generally works - there isn't a lot of noise if you're stopped at the lights by yourself.The high waistline helps block sound and make the occupants feel secure.  Standard equipment includes a satnav, auxiliary and USB inputs, heated driver's seat and heated exterior mirrors, a glass wind deflector and an eight-speaker sound system.DesignTHE coupe-cabriolet carries the Megane family's front-end design DNA and will earn fans for its clean lines. It looks good with the roof up and is hard to pick as a convertible.The interior is smart and functional and the front seats automatically roll forward to increase access room for rear passengers. Lift the lid and lines still flow, but boot space is then limited to a couple of overnight bags.SafetyConvertibles compromise safety - it's hard to engineer as much structural protection into a vehicle that doesn't have a roof - but the Megane feels like a solid chunk of metal.The B-pillar has been reinforced for more protection from a side-on hit and a pair of pop-up roof arches deploy in milliseconds if the system detects a rollover.  Daytime running lights make the car more visible and a tyre pressure monitoring system will detect any loss of pressure if it becomes a major drama.Software runs from ABS with brake asssist and brakeforce distribution to electronic stability and traction control.DrivingWatching the windscreen flex by a couple of millimetres as the roof releases doesn't inspire confidence, but the chassis is more than a match for the engine and doesn't twist even if the camber changes mid-corner.The car's target market are style rather than drive enthusiasts, which explains why the coupe-convertible comes only with the continuously variable transmission rather than the six-speed manual in the hatch and sedan that helps drivers get the most from the 103kW/195Nm in the 2-litre engine.So it's not going to take on a VW Eos on the road, but will hold its own against it parked at the spa resort.  With that in mind, it is hard to argue with the dynamics of the compact cabrio.It sits flat in the turns and conversations aren't at shouting level even at highway speeds.  The steering is spot on and the suspension is soft enough to soak up most bumps without wallowing.  It's a horses-for-courses kind of car and if your tastes run to dressage rather than galloping, the Megane is a good thing. 

It admits that an international network may have obtained data about its EV programs - allegedly leaked by three Renault employees who are under investigation - but says its vital technology secrets are safe.In a newspaper report in France on the weekend, it says production of EVs will not be held up.  French newspaper Le Monde on the weekend states Renault's Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata saying: "Renault is the victim of an organised international network".He says information leaked is likely to refer to the costs and economic model of the EV program and not technology, including 200 patents that are being lodged."It's serious, but not as bad as if it had been the technology," he says.  "Whether it's the chemistry of the electrodes, the structure of the batteries, the different elements of assembling, be it the charger or the engine itself, we feel OK."Mr Pelata says despite the espionage, Renault's EV program was still on track.  "We have not lost one day to launch our four electric cars," he says.Renault will launch three EVs in Europe this year - the Fluence sedan, Kangoo delivery van and the two-seat Twizy.  The city car, the Zoe, will launch next year and is predicted to become the company's best-selling electric car.Renault's work parallels that of its alliance partner Nissan that is globally rolling out its Leaf EV.  Mr Pelata says the three employees had been on suspension without pay since last Monday.Renault aims to press criminal charges against the three. Two of the employees are Matthieu Tenenbaum, deputy head of Renault's electric-vehicle program, and Michel Balthazard, vice president for advance engineering and a member of the management committee.Renault and the French Government (Renault is 15 per cent owned by the French state) are also investigating a possible link in the espionage to China.In 2007, a Chinese student on a work placement at car parts maker Valeo was given a prison sentence for obtaining confidential documents.  A court stopped short of an industrial espionage verdict, instead finding she had "abused trust".

The carmaker has closed its doors on publicly commenting on the allegations but it has outraged the French Industry minister Eric Besson who says it has led France to "economic war".The minister, angry because Renault receives public money for some projects such as the electric vehicle, is calling for improvements in industrial security.Renault and its alliance partner Nissan spend an estimated $400 million a year on EV research and development that has a total budget of $5.5 billion.  The company this week suspended without pay three of its executives after an investigation started four months ago.Bloomberg News reports that the highest ranking of the three suspended executives is Michel Balthazard, vice president for advance engineering and a member of the management committee.  Balthazard, a 30-year veteran of Renault, began his career at Renault in 1980 in the body engineering department.The employees are now being given the chance to respond to the accusations, before any further action is taken.  Renault and its partner Nissan have invested heavily in electric vehicles, which will be one of the key issues in Detroit next week at the launch of the North American International Auto Show.The espionage allegation comes as Renault plans to launch three electric vehicles this year.  Renault has aspirations this year to become the first full-line manufacturer to market zero-emission vehicles accessible to the greatest number of buyers."The Renault-Nissan Alliance is developing a complete range of 100 per cent electric powertrains with power ratings of between 15kW and 100kW,' it says.Electric vehicles planned for this year include the Kangoo Express ZE van; the Fluence mid-size sedan; and the Twizy small car.  In 2012, Renault plans to expand that electric lineup with a new city car before offering electric in all its segments.Renault plans to build more than 200,000 EVs a year by 2015-2016.  In Australia, a Renault spokesman says he had no information from the company other than what was published.

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.

Renault was late coming to the SUV scene, but when it did arrive it did so with quite a bang in the form of the Koleos.  Given its association with Nissan and access to the Japanese carmaker's off-road expertise it was inevitable that Renault would build an SUV. It was also a given that when it did it would be a competent off-roader.MODEL WATCHThe Koleos was something of an international traveler in the auto world being the product of the French-Japanese alliance between Nissan and Renault and built in Korea by Renault Samsung Motors.While the Koleos was based on the Nissan X-Trail and used the same all-mode 4x4 running gear from the X-Trail it brought a touch of French flair to the SUV scene.At first glance you would not have guessed the five-seater Koleos wagon was a close corporate cousin of the X-Trail, it had a fresh, attractive look that clearly set it apart from the more conservative looking Nissan.Renault introduced the Koleos with two levels of trim, the entry level Dynamique and the better-equipped Privilege, with 4x4 and 4x2 petrol and diesel models.The petrol engine was a 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit producing 126 kW at 6000 revs and 226 Nm at 4400 revs, while the 2.0-litre turbodiesel was available in two tune variants depending on the transmission choice.When linked to the manual gearbox it put out 127 kW and 360 Nm, but was detuned to take care of the auto and put out 110 kW and 4400 Nm in that combination.Renault cleverly offered the Koleos in two-wheel drive form, in which it was a regular front driver, or four-wheel drive form when it had Nissan's all-wheel drive 4x4-i system.  With the 4x4 system the Koleos could be driven in two-wheel drive mode, auto or four-wheel drive with a switch.In auto mode, it ran in front-wheel drive until the system detected wheel slip when it would begin driving the rear wheels as well. The maximum torque split between front and rear wheels was set at 50 percent.The transmission choices were a six-speed manual gearbox, a six-speed auto, and a CVT continuously variable transmission. The cabin was stylish and modern, and quite roomy, although tall occupants would find the rear a little cramped.The fit and finish was generally of a good standard, and the materials used looked and felt of a decent quality.IN THE SHOPThe feedback from the field is that little is troubling Koleos owners to date, which is a good sign that they are in for a reliable run.  Nissan X-Trail mechanical package isn't giving any indication of having problems and that should translate across to the Koleos as well.While the Koleos is unlikely to find its way off the black top it's still a wise move to check underneath for damage that might have been caused by going bush.Also make the usual checks for a regular service routine, and crash repairs to the body.IN A CRASHWith standard front, side and head airbags, stability control, and ABS anti-lock braking the Koleos was well placed to cope with a crash.  ANCAP gave it five out of five stars in its crash testing.UNDER THE PUMPRenault claimed the Koleos would do between 7.2 L/100 km (diesel) and 9.9 L/100 km (petrol). Carsguide readers report that on average they get 8.2L/100km from the diesel and 10.8L/100km from the petrol version.OWNERS SAYDara and her husband Brian were looking at a Nissan X-Trail before discovering the Koleos. They bought the Renault and say they love everything about it. It is great to drive, very quiet, the radio and speakers are excellent, and there is plenty of legroom for six- footers like Brian.David says his 2009 diesel manual Koleos has light steering, but a woeful turning circle, the seats are a bit flat and he would like more rear legroom. To date, with 40,000 km on the odo, it has been largely trouble free. His only issue has been blocking of the DPF filter, which was fixed with a dealer forced regeneration and an ECU upgrade so it doesn't get blocked again. Dealer servicing isn't Toyota cheap, but isn't BMW dear either.Paul Burke's Koleos is his third Renault, and he says he has had no trouble with any of them. With five alloys, heated electric seats, choice of leather colour, and a split tailgate shopping is great particularly for oldies. The 2.5-litre auto cruises well and is so quiet, the sound system is unbelievable, and it runs on standard fuel.LOOK FORFresh stylish lookChoice of petrol or dieselProven Nissan mechanicalsRoomy cabinTHE BOTTOM LINEStylish French wagon with proven Japanese mechanical package makes for an attractive SUV package. 80/100

By Sunday night he will either have joined Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones on the honour roll of Australia's Formula One world champions, or not... Either way, Webber is a champion. The way he has behaved through the 2010 season, in a team that is clearly backing Sebastian Vettel against him, has been amazing. There  have been no public tantrums, nothing unprofessional or nasty, just a down-the-line performance by a man who has worked hard for everything in his life. Alright, there was his line about "Not bad for a number two" after the finish of the British Grand Prix, but winners can afford to be grinners. Occasionally. Lots of people lost faith in Webber during his troubled time in Formula One. Some were never believers. Yet Webber has lifted to every challenge, from his first start in Albert Park with Minardi, through the tough times at Jaguar, then the awful realisation that Williams would not be able to giving him a winning car. When Webber joined Red Bull he had to prove himself against David Coulthard, a proven race winner. When he finally got the right car for the job, but he also got Vettel as his team mate. But enough of the future, because there is plenty to celebrate in Webber's past. I can clearly remember the night of the Australian Grand Prix ball when he went around and introduced himself to all the powerbrokers in F1, in an example of cold calling and successful selling that trumps anything by the Mormons. Then there was the time his Mercedes sports car backflipped at Le Mans and tried to kill him. Twice. And what about his comeback last year from the mountain bike crash in Tasmania that could also have killed him? This year Webber has been in his prime, bagging pole positions and   winning races in a Red Bull RB6 that matches his skill and commitment.  Most people expected Vettel to wipe him but Webber has been brilliant. Will he win this weekend? Perhaps. Maybe. We hope so. Most likely Webber will need some special help from Red Bull and   Vettel but, even if it comes, it will leave a bitter taste at the end of a vintage year. And that's not a good thing for anyone. Alan Jones thinks Webber has done a great job and deserves the championship. The Carsguide crew agrees and, even better, I will be trackside at Abu Dhabi this weekend for a chapter of motorsport history. It promises to be a very special weekend.