Renault Kum gets a side slider
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m by Peter Lawton
Demand from UK operators and a big order from the Swedish Post Office has persuaded Renault to develop a commercial Kangoo with sliding doors, but there won't be a stretched version.
The company has finally confirmed that buyers will be able choose from a kerbside singledoor model or a double-door variant—but the high-volume version with an extra 325mm rear overhang and 4m3 of loadspace will only be sold on the Continent.
British Gas is already running double sliding doors in its fleet, but other buyers will have to wait for this model, at least until January.
The sliding-door models have the same load volume and carrying capacity as existing models; price premiums will be about .2250 (ex-VAT) for one sliding door and 2400 for the double. Door's will be panelled as standard but windows will be offered as an option.
Renault originally decided not to market the sliding-door variant in the UK because the door would have been on the offside. But the Swedish Post Office wanted a door on their drivers' side—the left—making this variant a viable proposition for the UK market. UK buyers will not be given the option of which side to have their door fitted; the single door will only be available on the nearside.
Development costs are also
cited as Renault's reason for not offering 4m3 Kangoos to UK operators. Renault brand manager Simon Herbert says the market for vans in this class is tiny in the UK, but the company might change its mind if there is enough demand.
Herbert expects Kangoo sales of around 9,000 next year: a third of these are likely to have the sliding-door option.
New turbo-diesel engines are also in the pipeline for the Kangoo, but Renault has not released details of power ratings or prices. The company plans to concentrate on building the recreational model so test vans will not be made available until the new year.
• The Master van now gets the option of air suspension with ABS at the rear for a premium of £1,850 (ex-VAT) over the basic price. This will allow drivers to vary loading bed height from front to rear and left to right using controls on the cen
tre console. The overall height can be lowered significantly to help with loading (see panel), with drop times of between three and 15 seconds. Rear axle loading is unchanged, but as CM went to press Renault could not say if the system adds to the Master's kerbweight.
Loading height can only be changed manually when the van is stationary and the parking brake is engaged—operation on the move is automatic. Renault says the air suspensionsystem will improve road holding, stability and safety.
The computer-controlled system is available on all panel vans, chassis-cabs and nineseater Combis. It comprises two spring units, a compressor set and two five-litre compressed air accumulators.
HOW LOW CAN YOU CIO?
' Normal position Lowest driving position Lowest loading height
534mm 388mrn (377mm unladen) 145mm (157rnm unladen). ' Renault figures for 2.50 3.5 GVW Master.