Renault Kangoo E-Tech Reviews

In any event, there are many buyers – young and not-so-young – who just love well-sorted quickies.Hence the market for compact performance cars, which can be driven for economy around the city or set alight, in the right environment, for some fun motoring.The BMC Mini – particularly the Cooper S – gave birth to the segment.More recently, Subaru has set the standard for affordable performance with its WRX – a top performer with a sub-six-second sprint time at a sub-$40,000 price.Peugeot's 206 GTi is $5000 cheaper and only 1.5 seconds slower. And the new Mini Cooper S is a full financial member of the category at only $710 more than the WRX with a 0-100km/h time of 7.2 seconds.Renault has added the Sport Megane 225 to the hot hatch class to which it was already a member with the Clio Sport.The quick Megane is fully credentialled with a 0-100km/h dash in 6.5 seconds, a standing 400m in 14.6 seconds and a top speed of 236km/h. At $42,990, it is not the cheapest car in the class but it does come with sufficient kit to justify the price. The Megane is not a small car in the truest sense – and is highly individualistic in its styling.The Sport Megane 225 hatch is powered by a 16-valve turbocharged two-litre four, which generates a wholesome 165kW of power and 300Nm of torque to the front wheels via a really slick six-speed manual gearbox. The motor is the work of the brand's motorsport arm, Renault Sport Technologies, which was given the task of producing a performance motor suitable for daily use.The engine finds an ideal home in the Megane hatch, which has been modified to match the firepower of the engine.The Sport Megane body is enhanced with a wide air intake grille to ensure that the intercooled turbo gets plenty of fresh air. The rear bumper skirting is cut away to make way for the large-bore twin-pipe exhaust outlets.A spoiler, integrated in the upper part of the rear hatch, boosts stability at high speeds.The Sport runs 17in alloy wheels, which fill the wheel arches nicely, maximising the model's muscular looks.The sporty driving theme continues inside through the use of leather steering wheel, aluminium pedal pads and a graphic treatment of the instrumentation. The Sport shares the same round-backed hatch body with naturally aspirated versions of the five-door hatch Megane line-up – unlike the Impreza WRX which is available in both hatch and sedan forms.Buyers will love the rump or hate it, with very few "don't knows". But enthusiast drivers attracted by the dynamics of the car will not be put off by the rear styling.After all, previous "Rex" models were not all that pretty either.Now for what the Sport Megane has to offer.The "blown" two-litre is a willing worker off the line without any lag, which flaws so many turbo models.The addition of a full complement of stability kit ensures that there is very little torque steer – the tendency of a performance front drive car to pull to one side – under full load.Power peaks at 5500rpm but the 300Nm of torque is reached at 3000rpm.The twin-scroll-type turbocharger delivers the goods throughout the various rev ranges without any flat spots.The engine is a real joy to fire into action and the six-speed, close-ratio manual transmission is a sheer joy to flick from cog to cog with the short, sporty shift.The car rides on a proficient chassis, which is firm but not brutal and keeps the body from undue movement under severe cornering forces. The Sport Megane comes standard with anti-lock brakes, stability control, emergency brake assist and understeer control. Everything works according to the plot to ensure the car is nowhere as skittish as hot cars of days gone.Anyone who gets into trouble has the backing of five-star Euro crash test rating, double volume dual airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags plus seat belt pretensioners front and rear. Variable power assisted steering gives the car a good road feel – particularly during cornering when directional correction is required.The Sport comes with a long list of standard items, including cruise control with a speed limiter, six-speaker CD sound system, electrochromic interior mirror, automatic headlights and automatic windscreen wipers, variable depending on the amount of rain.An optional LX pack which consists of a sunroof, a six CD stacker and full leather trim is available for $4000.AT A GLANCEThe Sport Megane is one of those cars which can make your day – day after day.Anyone who appreciates affordable power will be enthralled by what the car has to offer.Forget the rounded rump – this is a sports hatch which should be driven and considered by anyone in the market for a hot not-so-little number.

The controversial "I like big butts" campaign, which launched the Megane in Australia has ensured the ample derriere of this sports car is well known. The round botty of the Megane is at once retro and ultra-modern.Of course, protruding bottoms are a matter of personal taste and for some people, fat-bottomed girls make the world go around.This one certainly pushed all my buttons even as I was pushing her's. Renault uses a credit-card sized card and an old-fashioned "start" button in place of a key. It takes a little getting used to but is yet another point of difference that sets this little pocket rocket apart from other cars her size.The keycard also operates the remote central locking and boot mechanism. Automatic windscreen wipers and light-sensing headlights help you to concentrate on the driving. But she's not just all show and speed.The Megane has a five-star safety rating from the Euro/NCAP safety program. The list of safety and security appointments is longer than all the other features and includes six airbags and emergency assist braking. The Megane even tucks you in by reassuringly locking all the doors once you've pulled away from the kerb.This is a car for drivers who love to drive, with its six-speed gearbox (manual only) and the fastest response time of any of the cars I have tested. All the extras are there, too. The rally-style seats immediately put you in the mood and the orange seat belts and stitching along with alloy-drilled foot pedals are constant reminders that this is no ordinary commuter vehicle.Renault is keen to point out that its experience in building and racing Formula 1 cars is why the Renault sports range, including the turbo Megane, is so racy.The boot space is healthy enough to accommodate a family load of shopping but you'd expect that, wouldn't you? Nifty and convenient storage is all part of the package.Other drivers certainly got a good view of the distinctive rear ... they were left well and truly behind at the green light. Well, a girl's gotta strut her stuff a little. As I cruised by, I thought I could hear drivers and pedestrians chant: "I see you, baby, shakin' that ass". Hey, if you've got it, flaunt it.LOVE IT LEAVE ITRenault Megane Turbo 225LOVE ITORANGE seat belts and stitching. Fastest take-off on the block – seriously fast. Start button – it's quirky.LEAVE ITREAR vision a little restricted. Long-legged passengers can be cramped.

Struggling to get on the local radar with buyers, the French auto giant is launching new models left, right and centre with the latest, a new Scenic small people mover, due next month.All this activity makes you wonder what else Renault has up its sleeve – plenty apparently.The new Scenic II replaces a model that was Renault's top seller here so the pressure's on.Though typically Gallic in styling, the earlier model was practical, economical and went fairly well for a small bus. There was also an all-wheel-drive RX4 model. None is mentiomned in the new model literature.Scenic II needs to hit the ground running but that might be a big ask given the polarising "bustle-back" styling – a la Megane hatch.The new five-seat Scenic II snuck into the public domain in a pre-release program through Renault dealers before Christmas. It caused barely a ripple on the vichyssoise (soup).The pre-release was designed to showcase what Renault Australia says "is the Scenic II's sensational new design with its innovative interior and expressive exterior style."It hits the showroom with a recommended retail price starting at $29,990, and is available in three variants: entry-level Authentique, mid-spec' Expression and range-topping Dynamique.They all use a 98kW/191Nm, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine lifted from Megane with either a six- speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic. Five speed autos seem to be off Renault's agenda and auto adds $2300 to the price.Scenic II offers a comprehensive range of features including aircon across the range.The usual array of cruise control, power front windows, in-dash CD player and flexible rear-seating system is listed as standard equipment.Where Renault makes no mistakes is with safety and Scenic II offers dual front and side airbags, curtain airbags and front and rear seatbelt pretensioners. There is also a range of important passive safety features such as ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist.The vehicle was awarded a European NCAP crash test rating of five stars – the highest, with a score of 34.12 points out of a possible 37.1.This makes Scenic II one of the safest vehicles for occupant protection in the compact MPV class.It's built on a Megane platform and there is room for a seven seat, Grand Scenic variant that will arrive later in the year sharing the same powertrain as the five seater. Sources say the third row in the Grand is tight and suitable for children only.Renault Australia is reported to be looking at a turbo version of the Scenic II – for what purpose is unclear.All models have a digital instrument display and a deep dash incorporating a gear shift or selector in the centre console.Numerous interior storage compartments are dotted about the cabin.Both rear seat rows fold flat for increased luggage capacity.Reports out of France suggest a good ride with slightly more body roll than Megane hatch due to a higher centre of gravity but tidy dynamics overall. We'll have to wait and see on that one.The suspension is a simple strut front, torsion beam rear.Drive is to the front wheels and the steering has a leisurely 3.2 turns lock to lock.The vehicle needs premium unleaded and is claimed to deliver about 8.5L/100km average fuel economy which might be optimistic given its 1400-1530kg weight depending on the model.There is only one direct competitor, Holden's Zafira at around the same money. Hyundai's unloved LaVita was dumped some time back.

It's just the ticket ... or not ... after all, that's the whole point.So much oomph in Renault's Clio Sport 182 Cup but so few places to use it. Legally, anyway.There's a whole lot of engine (two-litre, 16-valve) packed into a tiny terrier and it's soooo easy to speed. But set the cruise control to the right mode and all your worries are gone.The car just won't go over what ever speed you punch in – except in the case of an emergency.(Can they adapt this gizmo to children?)The features don't stop there, though ... a "five-speed gear box, ventilated discs up front with ABS, electronic brake distribution and traction control with ESP" (everyone needs a bit of that) top the list.Translation: Road grip is great, corners are not scary or hairy and if you're travelling up Willunga Hill in fifth gear, you'll still be accelerating.Now here's one to really grab you (pardon the pun) ... an anti-hijacking precaution. The doors lock automatically when you accelerate away from the kerb.The Clio Sport may be small but it's big on image and impact. Start with the lowered suspension, twin exhausts, leather seats, drilled alloy pedals and unique "charcoal" finish alloy wheels. Some think they look dirty. I say "gritty" and they add to that "bad boy" image ... even if it's just a little bad boy.The Clio is perfect for young yuppies with no puppies. Two-door cars, like this one, are not child (or friend) friendly and the lack of windows in the back gives the young guys a perfect opportunity to complain.Things are pretty squeezy in the back seat and the stiffer sports suspension makes for a harder ride; 14-year-olds don't like bumping their heads on the roof. But with just two people, you're in hot-hatch heaven.All the effort seems to have been put into the front compartment. It looks great for starters – all black and chrome with leather, and Alcantara trim, a groovy dash and idiot-proof stereo and climate controls.And these are seats you sit in, not on. And the all-important question? Drink holders?Those in the front are a bit awkward, tucked in below the centre dash, but the rear side-panel mounted holders, big enough for bottles of water, make up for them.LOVE IT LEAVE ITRenault Clio Sport 182 Cup LOVE ITGreat size. Easy to park. Wheel-mounted radio controls save searching for small dash buttons. The oh-so-cool wipers with an action mimicking a dance step Michael Jackson would envy.LEAVE ITIndicator and wiper controls are hard to see. No windows in the back. 

Convertibles, cabrios, roadsters, call them what you will, are OK for Aussie conditions but definitely not the go on hot days.The notion of "fun in the sun" driving is wrong because it ain't fun blistering away in a car under a searing sun.This issue and being caught in a flash thunderstorm have been addressed by fast opening and closing roofs of either metal or vinyl.It's cool to have a roofless car that's for sure, great for the ego, an image maker. And on cooler days, in the evening or early morning they are a treat.Renault has entered the fray with something different – a glass roof cabriolet.The Megane Coupe-Cabriolet's roof is in two pieces and folds quickly into the boot leaving minimal luggage space. With the roof up, the boot is a good size.It's a four seater of sorts with the rear pews suitable for kids due to a lack of legroom.Access is by large doors and there's plenty of room inside the Megane for two and head clearance is good thanks to a manual a seat though head clearance could be an issue for taller drivers or people with a bouffant hairstyle.The Megane shares its face with other Meganes (sedan and hatch) but pretty well all other body panels are unique on the Coupe-Cabriolet.Underneath, it's all standard Megane – a 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine, five speed manual or four speed auto transmission, front wheel drive, electric power steering, strut and torsion beam suspension, all mainstream stuff.Power output is 98kW with 191Nm of torque. It is adequate to push the 1430kg Megane along at a decent clip with the manual obviously having more punch.Safety is a high priority these days and the Megane doesn't fall short with a five star European NCAP crash test rating – the highest.And Renault has ensured Megane Coupe-Cabriolet buyers will be pampered with an extensive range of luxury equipment like leather upholstery, rain sensing wipers auto headlights, good audio, climate control and plenty more.Renault persists with the annoying card and push button ignition system.It is a stylish car from all angles but the consensus around the office was that women more than men would like the styling.And that's precisely where Renault is pitching this $47,990 cabrio – at wealthy women. Just like most of the other players in the market.

They look great, but when it is time to put the fabric roof back up, some can look tired and tatty.Mercedes-Benz started the folding metal-roof trend with the previous model SLK and SL. Peugeot joined in with the 206CC and 307CC and Daihatsu produced the Copen.The latest coupe convertible is the Renault Megane.The new Megane has an automatic folding metal hard-top that drops into the boot. The Karmann-designed roof also has a glass panel, but most of the harsh light can be blocked courtesy of a retractable screen.The four-seat Megane drop-top starts at $47,990, against the Holden Astra convertible ($45,990) and the Peugeot 307CC ($49,990).It has the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine as the Megane hatch with 98kW and 191Nm. A six-speed manual is standard. The four-speed automatic with manual shift mode is $2200 extra.Standard equipment includes leather seats, cruise control, airconditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, CD sound with steering-wheel controls and a glass roof panel.An optional $1290 LX pack adds 17-inch alloy wheels and premium six-CD sound.ON THE ROADCONVERTIBLES are either tuned for sport or comfort and it takes less than a minute in the Megane to discover comfort is the focus. The suspension is soft and the car tends to wallow over some bumps.The Megane is a comfortable summer cruiser. Its metal top is well-designed and several passengers thought this Megane was a regular coupe until the roof started folding.Owners of drop-tops with fabric lids can tell you that even with the roof up it can be noisy inside.The black rag-tops can also heat-up the interior on really hot days when the sun is too bright to have the roof down.Folding metal hard-top cars such as the Megane don't suffer from these problems. Even when the roof is down, the Megane is fairly quiet, even at highway speeds.Its 2.0-litre engine lacks punch and torque. It can also feel harsh, especially through the pedal and works hard at 2800 revs when cruising at 100km/h.It would be better with a manual, but our test car had an automatic that was not good. Sometimes the changes were smooth, other times it slapped into the next gear.The auto also has an annoying habit of being quick to change down when coasting downhill.At least there is a manual shift mode, so you can make it change when you want.Cabin comfort is good, and seats providing adequate support.The Megane is a four-seater and there is enough room for adult passengers, as long as it is not a long journey.

Not the car itself, but the colour.In the mid-1960s, Renault performance tuner Gordini turned out some pretty sharp and fast editions of the Renault 8.To distinguish the cars, a special colour was available – an eye-jarring bright blue that would have been a shocker to a conservative 1960s kind of world.Well, it's back. Not in a Gordini, but in its spiritual successor, the Renault Clio 182 Sport.Cute in a toy shop sort of way, the Clio three-door wears the Sport badge thanks to a bigger two-litre engine and substantial changes to the suspension and brakes compared with the already pleasant entry-level Clio.This engine gives the Clio a torquey heart making it a very easy car to punt around the suburbs and city.So strong is the powerplant that gear skipping is expected and third-gear corners considered as excessively revving the engine.The five-speed manual box is short, sharp and precise, while the steering is direct and boasts excellent road feel and the brakes are strong and show little fade.It's what the Renault 8 Gordini was in the 1960s – a production car body with more oomph.Expect this to have a firm ride on the road and you'd be pleasantly surprised. The seats are comfortable and the suspension compliant, though the handling is extremely surefooted.The interior is also vast, with good rear-seat accommodation and a high ceiling. But what enhances this airy and light interior is the huge glass area.Don't be modest when touring in the Clio because the side glass drops right down to your elbows. The driving visibility is probably the best of any car – it's just a little daunting that the occupants are equally as visible.On the track that torquey engine and crisp gear change combine with remarkable roadholding to make this a fun machine.It's actually hard to provoke understeer despite this being a front-wheel drive. The back also hangs on so the progress through a corner is predictable with the Michelins refusing to release their grip on the asphalt.At a shade more than 1000kg, the $32,000 Clio Sport is a featherweight fighter.The feature list is pretty good, with climatic airconditioning, four airbags, ABS, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control – though awkward to use – and a CD player.The upholstery is alcantara which, like the rest of the interior, is black. The seatbelts are a pale grey. Do these colours match? No!The exterior gets aggressive with a lowered body, twin big-bore exhaust tips and fat 16-inch alloy wheels. This is really a fun car for the enthusiast that is as good on the track as it is toddling to work.

The three-door hatch is part of a new range of hot hatches from Renault, which includes a Clio Sport 182 Cup (add $2000 for stiffer suspension, lower ride height and charcoal-coloured wheels) and its bigger brother, the Megane turbo-charged Sport.Revisions to the engine give the Clio Sport 182 an extra 7kW of power – now up to 131kW – and peak torque (200Nm) is reached at 5250rpm, 150rpm earlier than before. Now, 80per cent of this is available from 2000rpm.Torque is noticeable underfoot in all gears, with fifth gear able to carry the car from lower speeds.The Sport has a hotter exterior than the tamer Clio models and subtle changes from the previous model include the sporty twin exhausts that protrude from the rear and the different-coloured alloy wheels.The twin exhausts produce a noticeably sporty note.The five-speed close-ratio box takes a bit of getting used to but third and fourth gear encourage high-revving fun.The wheelbase has been increased by 13mm and the track widened by 12mm at the front and 16mm at the rear. The greater track sees the Clio remain stable and have lots of grip under most driving conditions.Under harsh acceleration on rough bitumen, the Clio will tend to torque-steer, though it's nothing that can't be controlled by a slight lift of the right foot.The Cup provides even more grip than the standard 182 Sport. The stiffer suspension and lower ride height means there's minimal body movement, even under heavy load.Larger bearings in the wheel hubs also contribute to increased stability in the Cup.The lower position of the steering-arm attachment points sees the Cup react quicker and more decisively than the 182 Sport, with steering quicker as well.Despite the firmer suspension and lower ride height, the Cup is no bone-rattler – the spring rate in the Cup has been increased by 20per cent, with matching damper settings for this version of the Clio providing even more incisive behaviour.The rear spring rates have been stiffened by 15per cent and the damper settings by 10per cent.Brake-wise, the Clio's 280mm vented front and 238mm solid rear discs do an admirable job but tend to fade slightly when used quickly and repeatedly.The Clio's interior is a pleasant mix of quirky and sporty, with drilled pedals, sporty Alcantra leather seats and funky gauges.The size of the boot was a pleasant surprise, with none of the weekly load of shopping having to ride shotgun.The standard safety features include driver and passenger front adaptive airbags, driver and passenger side airbags, front and rear anti-intrusion side bars, an electronic stability program and latest generation anti-lock brakes.Comfort features include remote-operated central locking, power windows and mirrors, air recycling and particle filter, height and recline adjustment on the front head restraints, leather steering wheel and height adjustment on the driver's seat.The Clio Sport 182 also features six-speaker AM/FM stereo with single CD, cruise control with speed limiter, audio controls mounted on the steering column, climate-control airconditioning, vanity mirrors and a chilled glove box.

There are two models, the Sport and the Sport Cup. The only difference is charcoal coloured alloys, lower ride height and firmer suspension on the Cup, oh, and $2 grand more on the sticker.Though not in the same performance league as a WRX, the Sport offers possibly more driving excitement because it is such an athletic little beast. You can really drive the thing and be rewarded by its stability, response and feel.The engine has more wick and is now rated at an impressive 131kW/200Nm output. It's naturally aspirated so when you push the throttle, it goes, no waiting.And rev, sheeesh, the high compression 2.0-litre twin cam loves to spin and fairly howls near the 7000rpm redline. But there's no real need to go there because it has plenty of pick-up everywhere.Part of the secret here is size and weight. The Sport is a small car, a three door hatch capable of carrying four. It weighs 1090kg and has an impressive power to weight ratio. The 0-100kmh sprint is a 7.0 second event.A five speed manual is the only transmission and it is short geared to the point where you might be looking for another cog. But as it stands, the gearing provides excellent acceleration even if the throws between ratios are too long and the stick is too far forward for tallish drivers.The passage of gases through the engine is aided by twin cams and 16 valves while out the back is a funky looking, wide-spaced dual exhaust.The thing handles like a slot car especially with the Cup's firm and low suspension. It jiggles a bit but that is a characteristic of hot hatches.The suspension is Macstruts all round, steering is power assisted rack and pinion. Stability gains have been made on this model by lengthening the wheelbase and widening the track. The wheels are pushed right out to each corner.This is the sort of car that would be ideally suited to club gymkhanas and even club motor racing events. You just want to get in and enjoy the drive. It drinks premium unleaded but sips lightly most of the time. The 50 litre tank gives a range of about 550km.I found the flat steering wheel annoying as it forces a straight arm steering position. The sound system is OK even though it has six speakers but the drilled alloy pedals are extremely cool.Standard equipment is impressive and includes goodies like climate control, automatic xenon head- lights and leather upholstery.Like all Renaults, the Sport Clio rates highly in crash testing. There are four air bags, electronic stability program and ABS in the safety inventory. 

"The runout of the current model has been so successful that our dealers are crawling all over us to get the new car as quickly as possible," Renault Australia's Lenore Fletcher said in France this week."There will be about 20 cars going into dealerships in the next two weeks, really just so that they can show them off."An on-sale date for the five-seater will be around the Melbourne Motor Show with the Grand Scenic following about a month later."Fletcher says that pricing is being argued with the factory and is unlikely to be settled until closer to the launch. Suggestions from others at Renault point to an entry-level five-seater at a tick under $30,000 while the Grand Scenic would need to arrive around $40,000."We will most likely have three specification levels and a single engine choice – the 2.0-litre petrol from the Megane – in both the five and seven-seaters," Fletcher says. "There is a possibility that we could also look at the 2.0-litre turbo but that would be some time further down the track."Styling for the Scenic has caught up with the innovative look of the remainder of the Megane family with its sharper lines and bustle-back rear end.Renault's Christophe Deville says: "The driver's eye level is exactly the same but the angle of the steering column, wheel and relationship to the driver's seat has been refined to make it less bus-like."The interior of the Scenic II is stylish with an acre of dash leading out to the raked windscreen. The digital instrument display is housed under the sweeping binnacle. While the readouts are small they are easy to read. A discordant note is the intrusive automatic gear lever, which is mounted on the dash. The designers have chosen a large leather dust pouch. It doesn't work.What does work is the huge bits-and-pieces bin between the front seats with a roller-door cover. The space is big enough to take a small handbag or a number of smaller items. There are various storage areas spread around the interior, which is light and spacious.Rear seat passengers in the five-seater are well treated for room. But the third row in the Grand Scenic is for small children only.The twin seats fold away to give a flat floor but when extended they are sited well forward, almost hard up against the middle row. While the three middle-row seats can slide forward it means less leg room for the second or third rows – or both.The Scenic II is a quality drive and is 4.2m long on a wheelbase of 2.7m. It is straight off the Megane platform and behaves as you would expect. The extra 200mm of height raises the centre of gravity and promotes slightly more lateral body movement.Ride quality is good with all but the very worst road undulations filtered by the standard suspension geometry – Macpherson front and torsion beam rear with outboard attachments and programmed deflection. The Scenic does not wallow and while there is a slight tendency to dive under braking it gathers itself and retains poise.With 3.2 turns lock-to-lock the steering is not sharp but it does offer reasonable feedback and a good sense of what is happening through the 15-inch front-drive wheels.There is little danger of being overpowered by the 2.0-litre engine's 98kW – peaking at 5500rpm with a redline just over 6000rpm – but the delivery is willing and with 191Nm of torque on tap the Scenic gets along nicely.What does let the engine down is the aural coarseness it displays from outside the cabin. Sound insulation from with the cabin is exceptional – aided by sound-deadening foam in the body and chassis cavities.The four-speed automatic has well-sorted ratios with a kick-down that is easy to induce. The lower gear will be held well up into the power band and a six-speed manual gearbox is an option.Anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force proportioning are standard across the range with ESP offered as an option in overseas models. Satellite navigation is another function that is likely to be an option for Australia.