Renault Kangoo E-Tech Reviews

But peak motoring body the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries believes consumers are confused enough to warrant a broad-ranging education program about what ESC is and what it does.The Transport Accident Commission has already been running an ad highlighting the merits of curtain airbags and ESC. It has been endeavouring to lift awareness among buyers about what they do, via websites like howsafeisyourcar.com.au.But with Victoria moving ahead for the compulsory fitting of ESC to all passenger cars from January, the FCAI believes now is the time to increase awareness among car buyers.Despite TAC's efforts some carmakers like Honda believe consumers are still confused by the different acronyms used to describe the various systems. However, FCAI spokesman, James Goodwin, believes it will be difficult to mandate a single naming strategy."It comes down to marketing," he says. "All systems are different to some degree."Goodwin also believes it would cost too much to standardise the terminology on imported cars because the volumes are relatively small. Carmakers use different terms for the proprietary electronic stability program invented by Bosch and co-developed with Mercedes-Benz.Subaru Australia spokesman, David Rowley, says Subaru's own research shows a higher awareness among buyers of its own electronic stability control system, called vehicle dynamic control."Our customers tend to look in depth at the features of our cars," Rowley says. He backs an education program as “something worth considering" but balks at a name change. "A lot a brands have invested a lot of intellectual time in creating a point of difference with their various stability systems," he says.What they call it -Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - Holden, HSV, JeepElectronic Stability Program (ESP) - Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes Benz, Renault, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, Skoda, Peugeot, SuzukiDynamic Stability Control (DSC) - Ford, FPV, BMW, Mazda, Land Rover, Aston Martin, JaguarVehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) - ToyotaVehicle Stability Control (VSC) - LexusVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) - Nissan, SubaruDynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) - VolvoElectronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) - Audi, VolkswagenActive Stability Control (ASC) - MitsubishiVehicle Stability Assist (VSA)- HondaAutomatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T)  MiniMaserati Stability Program (MSP) - MaseratiPorsche Stability Management (PSM) - PorscheStability and Traction Control - FiatStabiliTrak -Hummer

The company is planning a long-needed product offensive over the next 12 months to reverse sales and finally entrench the importer as a fully fledged European competitor. Renault Australia managing director Rudi Koenig is blunt in his assessment of the French brand's performance in recent years, blaming a lack of product and prices."There are no more excuses," he says. "For the first time certainly within my tenure with Renault, we are bringing in serious product."When it launched back in 2000, the French carmaker boldly forecast sales of upwards of 6000 within the first couple of years. However, sales peaked in 2002 at more than 4500 and since then have hovered below 3500 despite a $20 million advertising spend in the early days to put its cars on buyers' radar.Last year it sold 2400 vehicles, down 24 per cent compared to 2008. Koenig is confident the company can improve this year but is not predicting wild numbers."The arrival of our new vehicles this year won't do much for sales because most of them arrive late in the year," he says.First up is the 2010 update for the Koleos in May, which gets satellite navigation as standard and other cosmetic updates. In June the Kangoo multi-purpose wagon arrives, followed by the Trafic van in July.The big hopes rest on the Megane hatch, which arrives in November, along with the Fluence sedan. However before the bread-and-butter hatch arrives the hot Megane RS250 hits showrooms in September and then a Megane Coupe-cabrio in October.Koenig says the product offensive has come about because Renault Australia has been able to source new cars from lower cost countries outside France. The Megane will come from Turkey and the mid-size Fluence will be built in Korea, where the Koleos is built.Renault sales peaked the in its first full year on sale in 2002 when 4565 vehicles were sold. Since then sales have hovered between 2400 and 3300, and are dependent on product launches.The arrival of the Koleos has been a saviour. Last year it was responsible for almost half of total Renault sales.

V8 SUPERCARS (After round 3/15)1 Jamie Whincup (Holden)  7712 Mark Winterbottom (Ford)  7143 James Courtney (Ford)  6964 Shane van Gisbergen (Ford)  6305 Lee Holdsworth (Holden)  5736 Craig Lowndes (Holden)  5527 Rick Kelly (Holden)  5308 Paul Dumbrell (Holden)  4899 Michael Caruso (Holden)  46210 Steven Johnson (Ford)  455(Next race, April 16-18, Hamilton, NZ)FORMULA ONE(After Melbourne, round 2/19)1 Fernando Alonso (Spain)  372 Felipe Massa (Brazil)  333 Jenson Button (UK)  314 Lewis Hamilton (UK)  235 Nico Rosberg (Germany)  206 Robert Kubica (???)  187 Sebastian Vettel (Germany)  128 Michael Schumacher (Germany)  99 Tonio Liuzzi (Italy)  810 Mark Webber (Aust)  6(Next race: April 4, Malaysia)NASCAR SPRINT CUP(After race 6 of 36)1 Jimmie Johnson (Chev)  8982 Greg Biffle (Ford)  8843 Matt Kenseth (Ford)  8824 Kevin Harvick (Chev)  8375 Jeff Burton (Chev)  7856 Kurt Bursch (Dodge)  7767 Jeff Gordon (Chev)  7738 Tony Stewart (Chev)  7709 Clint Boyer (Chev)  74710 Dale Earnhardt (Chev)  73929 Marcos Ambrose (Toyota)  543(Next race: April 10, Phoneix)WORLD RALLY(After Mexico, round 2/13)1 S#aacebastien Loeb (Fra) Citro#adien  432 Mikko Hirvonen (Fin) Focus  373 Jari-Matti Latvala (Fin) Focus  254 S#aacebastien Ogier (Fra) Citro#adien  255 Petter Solberg (Nor) Citro#adien  206 Henning Solberg (Nor) Focus  167 Daniel Sordo (Spn) Citro#adien  128 Matthew Wilson (UK) Focus  68 Frederico Villagra (Arg) Focus  610 Mads Ostberg (Nor) Impreza  4(Next rally: April 4, Jordon)WORLD SUPERBIKES(after Portugal, round 2/13)1 Leon Haslam (UK)  852 Max Biaggi (Italy)  693 Carlos Checa (Spain)  604 Michel Fabrizio (Italy)  465 Nori Haga (Japan)  436 Jonathan Rea (UK)  397 Sylvain Guintoli (France)  338 Leon Camier (UK)  329 Troy Corser  (Aus)  2910 James Toseland (UK))  25(Next race, April 11, Valencia)Australian MX(After Horsham, round 1/8)1 PJ Larsen (KTM)  602 Ryan Marmont (KTM)  562 Kirk Gibbs (Yamaha)  564 Cody Mackie (Kawasaki)  555 Michael Phillips (Honda)  436 Luke George (Kawasaki)  407 Daryl King (Yamaha)  388 Luke Styke (Yamaha)  379 Kade Mosig (Suzuki)  3510 Brendan Harrison (Yamaha)  34(Next race, April 18, Canberra)

Their success has taken some of the heat out of the troubles the brand has experienced trying to build local sales momentum. When the first limited run of 85 Clio Renault Sports arrived in 2001 they sold out quickly. It subsequently established itself as a highly desirable enthusiasts' car.The story is the same for the newest Clio Renault Sport 200. Dealers have already snapped up their allocations and queues are forming for the 100 expected to arrive over the next 12 months.Price and marketTwo versions are available, the $36,490 Sport 200 Cup and the $38,990 Sport 200 Cup Trophee, which replaces the R27. Renault Australia managing director, Rudi Koenig, says he expects the Trophee to make up the bulk of orders. Koenig admits that Renault has been doing it tough, particularly as it did not sell any vehicles last year to rental fleets.However, he says Australia is now getting better attention from France. "We have more focused support," he says. "The Sport 200 is an important car for the brand too. "It is important for our enthusiast base and as a halo for the brand."Drivetrain and equipmentThis halo car continues with a normally aspirated 2.0-litre four cylinder, developing 147kW at 7100 revs and 215Nm at 5400 revs, up 2kW over the old car. Renault does not feel the Clio needs turbocharging to beat its competition. It will still hit 100km/h in a respectable 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 225km/h.Both models have the appropriate go-fast bits, from rear diffuser, high-performance Continental tyres, flat underbody, 17-inch alloys, quicker steering ratio, powerful Brembo brakes and sports suspension. The front suspension is what Renault calls a ‘double axis’ strut set-up using aluminium components to shave 7.5kg off the suspension weight.The rear torsion beam has been firmed up 25 per cent and a thicker anti-roll bar fitted. Safety kit runs to eight airbags, switchable electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes and traction control. The Trophee has a hands-free ignition card, heated and folding rear view mirrors, Recaro sports seats, 17-inch BeBop alloys and carbon fibre highlights.DrivingAll the questions about the previous Clio Renault Sport have been answered. The previous 2.0-litre four was a great engine but didn't deliver its best until very high in the rev range. It was too peaky. The newest 2.0-litre is sweeter and more flexible, with a flat torque curve that still manages to deliver a considerable shove in the back when you bury your foot. Renault says that 95 per cent of the torque is produced at 3000 revs. That means plenty of urge is on tap exactly where you need it.The new six-speed manual is crisp and the first three ratios are shorter to provide better low-down response. Buyers also preferred the Cup chassis which is the standard now. They also said the interior was too spartan so now it's appropriately prestige with a touch of class absent in the previous models.Finally, a $1500 haircut off the entry price and $1000 off the Trophee, which replaces the R27, is also expected to win friends. Although our drive experience was restricted to a racetrack, not the most ideal road to assess a car, the Sport 200 remains true to its pedigree.You can throw it into a corner with confidence, even with the stability system disabled. There's no torque steer, and power gets to the ground without fuss. The brakes are almost ridiculously powerful for the size of the car, the steering sharp and the body control impressive. The breed has been strengthened and the driving experience enhanced.

Anyone with a burning desire to drive a go-kart with a roof and a radio, Renault has what you need.  It is a fix for something of a travesty - there are not enough people who have fun in cars any more.I'm not talking about back-seat work at the near-extinct drive-in, it's the joy of driving that has disappeared.  Sanitised to the point of blandness are many of the cars on the market today - cleaner, safer and better-equipped certainly - but what about the fun? Book yourself a track day and get into one of these.The sporty Clios have more than done their bit to reverse this trend and none more than the Clio Renault Sport F1 Team R27.  It's the hard-core version of the Clio Renault Sport 197 - not exactly a demure shopping trolley - but with performance 7mm lower 'Cup Chassis’ suspension, charcoal alloy wheels, red brake calipers and Recaro sports-seats among the key extras.The seats drop the weight by 6kg and are the first thing you notice - particularly if you misjudge the entry, which is not a comfortable experience.  You'll appreciate the strong side bolsters if you test the car's mid-corner grip, but procreation might be put on hold for little while as well.DrivingThe 145kW/215Nm 2.0-litre engine fires up with a slight exhaust flutter that doesn't scream hot hatch, but the rest of the car - with rear diffuser, side vents, decals, alloys and Brembo brakes - does, so introverts need not apply.  The six-speed has a shorter throw than I remember from its sibling and the ride quality better than expected.Despite 37 per cent stiffer front and 30 per cent stiffer rear springs, and dampers that have been toughened up by 10 per cent, the ride is firm but not super-hard and jarring; I've driven harder-riding cars that don't corner like this one.The negative issues are few - in suburban traffic it’s the brakes, which are good when you're using a fair chunk of their capacity on a back-road run, can get grabby and a little difficult to apply smoothly in traffic.  Some of that may also be due to the close-set nature of the drilled-alloy pedals, which are better suited to the dainty-of-foot, not those of us with broad, size 13 feet.The engine is flexible and doesn't need to dwell in the top half of the tacho to make decent forward progress around town.  There's no turbo trickery either - just a naturally-aspirated two-litre engine producing 145kW and 215Nm and sending it to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.But find some corners and the 1221kg R27 totals much more than the numbers suggest - it barely needs to bother the Brembos in the way into a corner and only major bumps cause consternation from the inside front wheel on a full-throttle exit.  Twirling the sports leather-trimmed wheel through its 2.8 turns lock-to-lock is an amusing past-time, of that there is no question.The little brat of the Renault range just rips through corners and throws mini-tantrums until you find some more ... or perhaps the tantrums were coming from the driver.  There's ample information for the driver and the stability control is very relaxed, leaving the driver alone unless absolutely necessary.The driver has sound system controls behind the wheel which would be handy once accustomed to the functions, but there's plenty in the cabin that is a little French in its methodology.Other gear on the features list includes dual front, side and curtain airbags, climate control, cruise control, stability control and 17in wheels.  Only 40 R27s will be imported into Australia, which is a shame - more people should be enlightened as to how a front-wheel drive car can handle.

Renault has a low-key presence in Australia - having re-launched the brand several times it seems difficult for the French marque to get some traction in the Australian market. That's somewhat common among all three French brands here, perhaps Australians don't click with some French cars these days.We're in a diesel Koleos Dynamique front-wheel drive. A tall, narrow-ish five-seat auto family wagon that starts from $36,490 (which is Commodore Sportwagon money if you look at metal-per-dollar comparison).The Koleos takes some getting used to in the looks department, so the generally-conservative Australian car-buying public isn't going to flock en masse. The higher driving position will appeal to many who want the SUV panorama - at least looking forward - without the truck road manners.DrivingThe diesel is a little chuggy but it is enthusiastic and swift, easily drifting over metropolitan speed limits before the driver is attuned to the engine noise. The driver will have to be careful with the credit-card-like ignition key, which is good and bad (I thought I'd lost it twice) as it's not as bulky in your pocket as a normal key - it can be left in your pocket as the push-button start is keyless.The automatic is smooth but slow, but works neatly with the electronic park brake to switch on and off with Park. The cruise control has a speed-limiter function and it is a wise addition. The ride quality is good and it can turn without feeling top-heavy, but the turning circle is poor.Fit-out and equipmentThe seats are comfortable front and rear but it's not overly spacious for width or for legroom in the rear. The near full-length sunroof has a blind but in Australian summers the climate control will be working hard most of the time, particularly for the rear passengers - although it does have rear B-pillar vents. What made matters worse was the climate control's penchant for defaulting off and not firing up at re-ignition to the temperature set before - the dealer advises it can be changed.The test car's Bose sound system, with 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, produced a nice noise at more than acceptable volume. The features list also includes automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, electric folding mirrors (more so required for Paris than Adelaide, but handy nonetheless), reach'n'tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter, a trip computer, climate control with filter, a ‘child minder’ mirror that is very handy and useful rear-side window sunblinds. There’s a decent boot, despite the full-size spare.A rugrat favourite was the aircraft-style tables on the front seatbacks - great for books and toys. The test car also had some options, among them the aforementioned Bose seven-speaker sound system with 6-CD stacker for a reasonable $800, the panoramic sunroof for $1890 and the Leather Pack, which adds leather upholstery, power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and a rear-seat folding system for a value-for-money $2500.One of Renault's specialties is safety - there's dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, pretensioner-equipped front seatbelts and load-limiters on all five seatbelts, anti-whiplash front seat head restraints. If an accident occurs the Koleos automatically unlocks its doors and shuts down the fuel system.OverallIn terms of buying a family hauler, the Renault faces opposition from similarly-priced local wagons and SUVs, many which have a bit of extra space. But if you're after French flair in an SUV-style package, the Koleos is pricey but reasonably-equipped and comfortable - but the level of flair is in the eye of the beholder.

The Ford Figo - based on the previous generation Fiesta - was designed by Ford Australia, lead by head designer Scott Strong.  It has been re-engineered tougher to compete in India's small car segment, which accounts for more than 70 per cent of the new vehicle market. The Figo is one of a handful of mini and micro cars launched to rave reviews at this week's New Delhi show.  Apart from the Figo, Honda's ‘new small concept’ and Toyota's Etios sedan made their world debuts.  Designed to tackle the Tata Nano, the low-cost production version of the Honda will initially be sold in India but other Asian export markets are planned.  The 1.2-litre front wheel drive five-door hatch is expected to go on sale in India next year, with a starting price of about $11,000.   Apart from India, the small Honda is tipped to be built in Thailand and could also be sold here. Maruti-Suzuki, which dominates the Indian new car market, showed off its R3 MPV six-seater concept which looks similar to the just-launched Opel Meriva.The Etios - which was codenamed EFC for entry family car - could make it to Australia as a replacement for the Yaris.  The entry four-door sedan is designed to compete against the Suzuki Swift and goes on sale in India later this year, with a hatch to follow in 2011. The Etios will be powered by two new 1.2 and 1.5-litre petrol engines, with production initially destined for the Indian market but exports are planned.  Toyota vice-chairman, Kazuo Okamoto, says India is a key market in the company's global small car strategy.  It was also one of the few countries experiencing growth, he says. Apart from a host of micro and small cars, electric vehicles also made a show splash.  Renault launched its two-seater Twizy electric ahead of its global launch in 2012.  The two-seater Twizy is one of four full electric cars that Renault unveiled recently and is being displayed outside Europe for the first time. General Motors India is working with the Indian-based Reva Electric car company to launch an electric version of the Spark - expected to be Holden's next-generation Barina - towards the end of this year and Hyundai Motor India, the country's second largest carkmaker is showing of an electric version of its i10 hatch. Maruti-Suzuki also unveiled the SX4 hybrid, using a 1.2-litre four cylinder engine and 50kW electric motor mated to a CVT transmission.

An accelerating Korean auto industry is now within a car's length of equalling sales of our home-grown models.  According to the official car sales figures for October released last week Korean vehicle sales in Australia were up 80 per cent compared to October 2008 and up 23 per cent for the year so far compared to the same period in 2008.Sales of Korean-made cars (12,324) nearly equalled the total sales of all Australian manufacturers (12,822) for the month.  Nearly 20,000 more Korean-made cars have been sold in Australia this year than in the same time last year.  By comparison, locally-built cars are down by 24,594 units, a drop of 17 per cent.Hyundai is leading the way, recording its best-ever October result in Australia, up by 106 per cent over October 2008, and is our fourth biggest-selling carmaker behind Toyota, Holden and Ford.  It's not only Hyundai and Kia that are raising the profile of Korea.The Holden-badged models of Captiva, Cruze, Barina, Viva and Epica are made by GM-Daewoo in Korea. The Renault Koleos is made by Samsung in Korea and Ssangyong SUVs are from a Korean plant.  About 39 per cent of light cars sold in Australia, 27 per cent of small cars and 26 per cent of medium-sized SUVs - including Australia's most popular SUV, the Holden Captiva - are built in Korea.A Hyundai spokesman said: "We are now on the shopping list. There was a time when we weren't but we have won awards - such as the Carsguide Car of the Year in 2007 - which has made people really notice us.  We didn't take our foot off the accelerator when the recession started late last year.  We didn't reduce production and we didn't spend less on marketing. That worked in our favour because people saw us as being constant."Overall car sales in Australia were up in October for the first time in 16 months.  Improvements were across the board covering private, business and rental buyers.  Sales of vans and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were particularly strong.And the situation is set to improve when import tariffs drop 5 per cent from January 1.  Some importers, including Mazda and Subaru, have already passed on savings.

 Apart from European hot-hatches such as the Renault Cleo Sport and Peugeot 206 GTi seldom have we seen any manufactures brave enough to bring 3 door hatch variants into our market.  Sure you can get an entry level 3 door Yaris but what about a nice 3 door Corolla Sportivo, um… sorry they don’t come in 3 door in Australia.This pattern seems to have started in the late 80s with the introduction in droves of mass produced front wheel drive hatch backs.  Remember the Pulsar SSS?  Yep that came in 3 door hatch in Japan.  How about the Corolla GTi, or Mazda 323?  Yep 3 door again overseas.At one stage in the early 90s even the iconic Golf GTi was only available in 5 door in this country.  For years Australia has been denied many of the accessories and engine options that are prevalent in Europe, the US, and even the rest of Asia, but they are happy to throw in an extra 2 doors for nothing.  There are some companies that have bucked the trend like Honda, but even they gave in to with the “5 door hatch only” Civic model a few years back.  And now it looks like the Europeans have caught on to this trend.  We are missing out on the 2 door BMW 1 series hatch it seems…Though through the gloom comes the news that Australia will shortly see the new 2 door VW Polo.  A brief hint of fun in a sea of practicality it seams.I really can’t see any reason why the Australian market seems to be so against the 3 door hatch… especially when it comes to the performance market. 

Judging on all fronts now advances to the semi-finals, three cars in each case, which will be named at the Geneva Motor Show at the start of March. Then it is over to the judges to drive, assess and vote.