2008 Renault Kangoo BeBopBased closely on the Kangoo Compact Concept show car unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault Kangoo be bop is the latest addition to the Kangoo family. The compact size (length: 3.87 metres), original two-tone colour scheme and exclusive interior appointments of this innovative vehicle combine to produce a particularly forceful personality. Its extensive glazed area and four roomy seats afford a sense of space and light. Ideal for escaping the crowd, Renault Kangoo be bop offers open-top motoring at the rear thanks to its glazed sliding roof and rear tailgate window which slides out of sight. At the front it has two tilting glass panels, plus a fixed central glass panel. This new car is ideal for customers who wish to move away from established automobile cues and who are looking for a vehicle that expresses optimism and joie de vivre without being showy.
A truly original reworking of a show car
Renault Kangoo be bop came into being in the wake of the enthusiasm prompted by the Kangoo Compact Concept show car at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. A compact leisure vehicle with an original design and strong personality, Kangoo Compact Concept showed that an unusual car could appeal to active, sporty urban dwellers who share the values of fun and friendship. In addition to its design, the originality of the concept lay in its extensive glazed area and unique convertibility solutions, with the emphasis on space and light. Renault Kangoo be bop’s designers have succeeded in producing a production model which echoes the strengths and features of the concept car.
Renault Kangoo be bop has the Kangoo front end with its short bonnet and droplet-shaped headlamps. Light floods into the cabin through the sweeping, steeply raked windscreen for outstanding visibility. Renault Kangoo be bop differs from its elder sibling by being even shorter (less than four metres in length), as well as through some original styling details, such as the black headlamp masks, specific bumpers, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Ground clearance has been raised 20mm compared with New Kangoo, while protective side mouldings lend the look of 'urban adventurer', ready to confront the great outdoors. Its robust, expressive lines are energized by the standard two-tone colour scheme handed down from the concept car. The bonnet, grille, outside rearview mirrors, front bumper bib and tailgate panel are Sideral Grey, while the rest of the bodywork is another colour, e.g. Etincelle Orange, borrowed from Kangoo Compact Concept. Another similarity is the elongated, semi-circular form of the side windows, which make Renault Kangoo be bop instantly recognisable.The large tailgate window slides right out of sight into the door. It is operated by a switch on the instrument panel or by a third button on the ignition key, and makes it possible to access the boot without having to unlock the car or open the tailgate. The system naturally incorporates an anti-pinch safety function.
Renault Kangoo be bop features the same convertible roof configuration seen on the concept car, with a fully glazed, forward-sliding panel at the rear. With the rear section of the roof and rear window in the open position, Renault Kangoo be bop's rear passengers are able to enjoy the delights of open-air motoring. The roof opens at an angle which creates a deflecting effect to prevent bothersome turbulence while on the move. Its 'open' and 'closed' positions are secured by two side locks. It opens independently of the tailgate with the help of two small rams. The wide, fixed middle glazed panel contributes to the cabin’s brightness, while the two front tilting glass panels ensure that front-seat occupants also get a taste of the open air. Even when open, the panels do not interfere with the forward-sliding rear roof. The glazed roof panels have all been treated to filter out the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Although Kangoo be bop’s dashboard and front seats are the same as New Kangoo’s, the rear features two individual, raised seats which make the interior redolent of a four-seater lounge on wheels.
The different exterior colour schemes and interior trim are reminders that Renault Kangoo be bop is at home in the city as it is on jaunts in the great outdoors and can look either 'chic' or 'fun'. The chic look is derived from the Nacré Black, Pavot Red and Glacier White body colours, combined with the red and black upholstery and dark charcoal dashboard. The fun-loving be bop comes in a choice of an Etincelle Orange or Glacier White exterior together with silver, blue, and orange upholstery, plus a blue dashboard, as featured on Kangoo Compact Concept. The white instrument backgrounds and satin-finish chrome climate control console further emphasize the exclusive feel of the car’s interior.
For the first time in the Kangoo range, Renault Kangoo be bop can be ordered with Carminat Bluetooth® CD navigation. In addition to its attractive price, this system offers all the fundamental multimedia features, namely GPS navigation with traffic information, a 16/9 seven-inch colour display and Bluetooth® telephony.
Renault Kangoo be bop features numerous travel accessories that mark it out as a car for getting away from it all. A luggage rail above the tailgate window can be used for carrying long items such as surfboards, while a range of decals and stickers permits customers to customise their Renault Kangoo be bop. If they wish, occupants can to listen to their own playlists thanks to the Plug and Music option. It is located in the glovebox and has USB, MP3 player, and iPod® connection ports. It is controlled via the steeringwheel-mounted fingertip remote control. Rounding off the multimedia equipment is the hands-free Bluetooth® telephone control.
A unique ride experience
Despite its compact exterior dimensions, Renault Kangoo be bop affords an amazingly generous, warm living space. The emphasis is on space and light. Its extensive 3.9 sq. metres of glazed area (roof and windows) flood the cabin with light. Front occupants benefit from the sweeping windscreen inherited from New Kangoo, while the large, semi-circular side windows heighten the rear passengers’ sense of travelling comfort, redolent of the tranquillity afforded by a modern high-speed train such as the TGV. The rear windows also permit excellent three-quarter rear vision for manoeuvring and overtaking.
All four passengers benefit from individual seats which enable them to profit fully from the ride experience. The front seats are as spacious as those of New Kangoo and benefit from 1,510mm of elbowroom, as wide as anything on the market. The ergonomically designed driver’s seat is worthy of the best MPVs. Although the dashboard’s colour scheme and cladding are different from those of New Kangoo, its forms, as well as its ease and comfort of use are identical. Deeply recessed below the dashboard lip, the displays are always shaded from the light and easy to read. The gearshift control on the centre console falls naturally to hand, as do the very short stalk switches and audio remote control. The radio display screen is also remote for greater comfort. Thanks to its original aviation-style design, the handbrake frees up an appreciable nine litres of stowage space in the armrest between the two front seats. Very special attention has been lavished on the quality and finish of materials used.
Rear passengers enjoy unique travelling comfort. The individual seats are inspired by those of Scénic. They are fore/aft-adjustable and their backs can be reclined. They are mounted 9cm higher than the front seats, producing an amphitheatre arrangement that affords an astonishing 180° panoramic view. Looking out through the glazed roof and sweeping side windows from the rear seats, passengers experience a heightened sense of well-being and space. On each side is a wide armrest with two deep, easily accessible
stowage bins, one of which can be closed. Rounding off the outstanding comfort at the rear are the loudspeakers mounted in the side panels. The model's spaciousness is reflected in impressive figures worthy of E-segment vehicles: elbowroom 1,220mm and kneeroom 250mm, while at 998mm, headroom is far superior to that of rival leisure vehicles. Rear passengers can conveniently slip their personal effects into the 24cm gap between the two seats. Passengers can access the rear seats in one of two ways.
The first is through the front doors, using a handle that folds down the back of the front seats and slides them out of the way. It is easier to get in on the passenger side, where the seat slides further forward than on the driver’s side. Passengers can also climb into the rear seats through the open tailgate and the gap between the rear seats, which affords ample space. Children will particularly enjoy climbing into the car in this way. Indeed tailgate access is facilitated by the low sill and bumper which can take weights of up to 100kg.
The tailgate incorporates a handle that can be used to pull it shut from the inside. Reassuringly for parents, however, it cannot be opened from the inside.
The rear of the car is fully modular. The capacity of the luggage compartment ranges from 174 to 1,462dm3 depending on whether the seats are in their rearmost or foremost position. Like Scénic, the rear seats can be folded and tipped forward with a built-in notching system to hold them in place. It is also extremely straightforward to remove one or both seats to free up additional carrying capacity. Luggage can then be placed either on them or in the space vacated by the seats, which are also easy to remove. Two side anchorage points help hold items in place when the car is moving. With the seats removed, maximum luggage space capacity is 1,462 dm3 (with the retention net in place).
When the rear window (operated by a driver’s side switch or a button on the ignition key) has slid away into the tailgate, the car can be loaded without opening the tailgate, e.g. when doing some quick shopping or if the car is too tightly parked to open the tailgate. Two hooks on the left of the luggage compartment are intended for hanging small bags. The tailgate has two open positions: an intermediary one for accessing the luggage compartment in a restricted space, and an 85° opening for full access to the luggage compartment. And with the glazed rear roof and tailgate window both open, Renault Kangoo be bop’s carrying capacity is further extended to take even more luggage or tall loads, while longer items can be attached to the luggage rail which is available as an accessory.
At home in town and country
At only 3.87 metres in length, Renault Kangoo be bop is perfectly at home in towns and cities. Its wheelbase is 38cm shorter than that of New Kangoo which permits a smaller turning circle. Renault Kangoo be bop can be turned round between kerbs just 9.7 metres apart, making it as agile as the most manoeuvrable city car.
Even so, Renault Kangoo be bop is always ready to head for the wide blue yonder, whisking off its occupants for a jaunt in the open air. Like New Kangoo, it benefits from Scénic’s chassis, which lends it dynamic performance qualities that are quite exceptional for such a compact vehicle.
Renault Kangoo be bop’s front and rear track, which are respectively 1.52m and 1.53m wide, make it remarkably stable. It shares Scénic’s suspension: MacPherson type with rectangular lower arm and anti-roll bar at the front and, a programmed deflection torsion beam with coil springs and anti-roll bar at the rear. The entire chassis is designed for cornering stability and reassuring handling. With its wide, 16-inch wheels it holds the road with precision, while the dimensions of its four vented brake discs (280mm at the front, 274mm at the rear) ensure prompt, efficient stopping power. A vehicle for leisure and pleasure, Renault Kangoo be bop is powered by engines that yield genuine driveability and which are robust, economical, and kind to the environment, including two diesel powerplants – the 85hp dCi and the 100hp dCi which comes with a particulate filter and drives through a six-speed gearbox – and the petrol 105hp 1.6 16V unit.
The dCi 85hp (63 kW), which delivers peak power at 3,750rpm, is particularly versatile. With 200Nm of torque available from 1,900rpm, it is equally at home in urban environments as it is on the open road. With this powerplant, Renault Kangoo be bop ensures a particularly impressive trade-off between equipment and performance and its combined cycle fuel consumption which stands at 5.3 litres/100km. This is equivalent to CO2 emissions of just 140g/km, making Renault Kangoo be bop eligible for the Renault eco² signature. With the more powerful version of the 1.5 dCi, which also equips Clio, Modus, Mégane, Scénic and New Laguna, Renault Kangoo be bop benefits from maximum power of 105hp at 4,000rpm, as well as 240Nm of torque at 2,000rpm. Thanks to its second-generation common rail injection, variable geometry turbo and 1,600-bar injector pressure, this powerplant yields sprightly performance for combined cycle fuel consumption of just 5.4l/100km (142g of CO2/km) thanks to its piezoelectric injectors and six-speed manual gearbox. Noise is minimised thanks to a twin-mass flywheel damper which reduces boom at low engine revs.
On certain markets, the 105hp engine is available with a particulate filter which comes with a fifth injector on the exhaust line.
The 1.6 16V petrol engine develops 105hp at 5,750rpm and maximum torque of 148Nm at 3,750rpm. It delivers outstanding driveability and low combined cycle fuel consumption (7.7 litres/100km) thanks to the use of lightweight materials and a timing system with roller cam followers Whether on city streets or open country roads, occupants will be reassured by Renault Kangoo be bop's safety credentials, with active safety on a par with that of a family saloon. It is equipped with Bosch ABS incorporating electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and automatic activation of hazard lights. Bosch ESC 8.0, combined with understeer control, comes as standard on Renault Kangoo.
ASR traction control and an engine torque overrun regulation function ensure the car is able to pull away and drive in conditions where grip is at a premium and also prevent wheel-lock in the event of sudden loss of traction on slippery surfaces. Numerous driver aid systems come as standard on Renault Kangoo be bop. These include cruise control with speed limiter, automatic headlamp and wiper activation and a rear parking proximity sensor. To enable occupants to travel in safety, Renault Kangoo be bop has inherited New Kangoo’s body structure, made of steel and materials that absorb and dissipate impact energy. Kangoo be bop’s front seatbelts are equipped with pyrotechnic pretensioners to hold occupants safely in place in the event of a collision. All seatbelts incorporate load limiters calibrated to optimise protection of the thorax. Renault Kangoo be bop is available with up to four airbags, two front airbags and two thorax airbags.
To reduce the risk of groin injury in the event of a head-on collision, the front seats are equipped with anti-submarining humps. Renault Kangoo be bop is also equipped with a retractable brake pedal to prevent injury to the driver’s ankle. As part of the ongoing quest for greater safety and comfort, Kangoo be bop's front seats and headrests are designed to absorb energy in the event of impact from the rear. Clio III debuted this technology, which has helped to considerably reduce whiplash injury. Headrests are adjusted to the right height by sliding them up and down their support struts and no longer by sliding the struts in and out of the seatbacks. To complete the passive safety picture, the front passenger seat and both rear seats are equipped with Isofix child seat anchorage. Whether driving along coastal, mountain, or country roads, Renault Kangoo be bop respects the environment. The Renault eCO2 signature testifies to Renault’s commitment on the environmental front.
To qualify, vehicles must comply with three ecological and economical criteria :
- CO2 emissions of less than 140g/km, or biofuel compatibility.
- Production in an ISO-14001-certified factory.
- They must be 95% recoverable by weight, while at least 5% of the plastics they contain must be sourced from recycling.
Images : Renault Kangoo BeBop
[Source : RENAULT]
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