Saturday, September 15, 2007

New Car: 2008 Renault Kangoo



On its launch in 1997 Kangoo's affable, expressive style revolutionised the leisure utility vehicle sector. Roomy and versatile Kangoo has been a success, selling over 2,200,000 units since it was launched.

New Kangoo matches family expectations more closely. It draws on Kangoo fundamentals, turning them into an optimised blend of quality, comfort, and practicality. At 4,213mm in length, New Kangoo's resolutely contemporary, affable, cheery lines exert a strong appeal. Its short, chunky front end frees up space for the bright, airy passenger cabin, which is further enhanced by its steeply-raked MPV-style windscreen. Some versions have pop-open windows, and others have electric ones. They all have large doors which open onto a comprehensively reworked interior.

New Kangoo emphasizes well-being and ride comfort:

For improved ride pleasure, a number of features have been upgraded. With its outstanding roominess, New Kangoo has put the onus on space and the shared ride experience. It is 180mm longer than its predecessor and that extra length has been lavished on the cabin, where more volume gives the five occupants more room and more comfort!

Resolutely contemporary and featuring a more ergonomic design, the dashboard resembles an MPV's, while the cabin has been refitted and finished with quality materials. New Kangoo boasts standards of thermal and acoustic comfort worthy of an MPV. Some versions feature automatic climate control. Air is evenly distributed at both front and rear thanks to the design of the circuit, which has outlets at each passenger's feet. To ensure acoustic comfort, engineers have used the same techniques as for the rest of the range.

New Kangoo takes an ingenious approach to modularity:

With its practical design dedicated to the pursuit of leisure, it brings to the segment a novel touch of ergonomic design, roominess, and user-friendliness. Its 60:40 split fold rear bench folds down easily in one fell swoop to form a flat load space. On some versions the front passenger seat can fold down in the same way, Payload can thus be boosted from 660 litres to 2,866 litres.
What's more, in this configuration the vehicle can carry objects that are 2.5m long. New Kangoo's interior boasts up to 77 litres of stowage space, which includes 24 litres in handy aircraft-style stowage compartments for the rear passengers. It also debuts innovative longitudinal roof bars that convert into a luggage rack. No tools are needed and the rack can take loads of up to 80kg.

Developed from a C-segment platform that is acknowledged for its dynamic quality, comfort, and safety, New Kangoo offers features hitherto unprecedented in the leisure utility vehicle segment. Its 2,697-mm wheelbase lends it sound, balanced, secure handling. Its active and passive safety equipment is identical to that of a family saloon. All versions are equipped with the latest-generation ABS and Emergency Brake Assist, while some feature ESP with understeer control, ASR traction control, and engine torque overrun regulation functions.For the safety of its occupants, New Kangoo benefits from state-of-the-art driver assistance systems, most of which originate in the segments above. They include cruise control/speed limiter, automatic headlamp actuation, and wipers with automatic rain sensors, none of which was available on the previous model. New Kangoo also has between two and six airbags, seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, and anti-submarining humps in the front and back seats, as well as three seats with Isofix anchorage points (depending on the version).

New Car: 2008 Dacia Logan Hatchback/Renault Sandero (Brazil)






When I first saw the official pictures of the new Dacia Logan Hatchback I was surprised (in a good way). Although its unlikely to come to the UK it looks great compared to the Fiat Palio & Volkswagen Gol (South America). This is Renault/Dacia's answer to the Volkswagen Gol and Fiat Palio.

Although its measuring at 4.2 metres in length it has a small wheelbase 2.59 metres. The interior is very European orientated alongside the exterior. This will slot below the Renault Megane but above the Renault Clio in the European market.
Engines for Europe:

1.0 16v
1.6 8v
1.6 16v flex-fuel engines

Diesel engines are very likely for Europe.

Engines for Brazil:

1.0 12V 60 HP (Flexi Fuel)
1.6 16V 105 HP (Flexi Fuel)
1.5 dCi 70HP/86 HP

New Car: 2008 Dacia Logan Pick-Up



Only 6 days ago we brought you the first spy photos of the upcoming Dacia Logan Pick-up ute. These are the first official photos.

There will only be 2 engines; one diesel and one petrol; 1.5 dCi which develops 70bhp and a 1.6 16v which will develop 90bhp.

Sales are starting early 2008 in Romania with poissbile British sales starting in late 2008/early 2009.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Concept Car: Renault Laguna Coupé




The launch of the third-generation Laguna creeps ever closer and with less than a week before the Frankfurt Show reveals the cars supposed to have been kept under wraps until their official unveiling. The Laguna saloon and estate models make their world premiere at Frankfurt next week but these photos of its fellow Renault stand star have surfaced ahead of its debut, revealing Renault's Laguna Coupe Concept. Essentially a near-production version of the Laguna Coupe, the new car is speculated to enter the market in the second half of 2008.

Renault have made it no secret that the new-generation Laguna is firmly footing itself in a new league of design and build quality, and the Coupe is sure to reaffirm this new direction. Inspired perhaps by the 2004 Fluence Concept, the Coupe Concept further enhances the lines of the Laguna, making them more elongated and mated to the car's external features. New lights front and rear may stay for production to distance slightly from saloon and estate models, signalling a shift upmarket. The concept car's interior is an aesthetically-pleasing two-tonal delight, however the transplant of the new Laguna's interior into the Coupe is what will see production.

Based, naturally, on the new Laguna platform, the Laguna Coupe Concept is likely to be powered by an economical, green engine - perhaps even a hybrid system - in line with a number of unveilings featuring greener drivetrains. In production form, expect a more limited range of engines than the saloon and estate ranges, with the inclusion of 2.0-litre diesel and petrol 4-cylinder powerplants being likely. A range-topping 3.5-litre V6 model can also be expected, with all models offering the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.