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In June 2022 we had tested electric commercial vehicles from Renault, including the new one Kangoo E-Tech Electric. For the occasion, however, only the cargo version was available for the latter, the one designed exclusively for business purposes, but in reality the French multispace over the years has been able to carve out a fair share of the market even in the passenger versions, especially among private customers.
In fact, there are many drivers who choose this type of vehicle thinking about work, but then also use it as their own car in their free time, or even make it the first family car. Kangoo has existed in the electric version for practically 10 years, but while in the past it was little more than a retrofit of its endothermic counterpart, today it is in all respects an electric car that inherits the best technologies from Renault and brings them to an intelligent, essential, practical vehicle, and precisely for this reason suitable for many.
In our test drive we left Milan in the direction of the countryside south of the city, so as to face a mix of urban and extra-urban roads, the motorway, and even some less than perfect paths. The vehicle, now recognized by the initials E-Techcomes with a 90 kW electric motor of power, with 245 Nm of torque. More than enough power to easily reach the motorway speed limit, while the decent torque allows you to make the lightning starts typical of electric vehicles. On balance, after a few minutes to get carried away with the measurements (4.48 meters long by 2.15 meters including mirrors) one has the impression of driving a normal electric car.
This sense of familiarity is also due to the interiors, which today are no longer as spartan as they once were, but try to wink at the private as well. So, while maintaining a certain essentiality, we find more refined materials, digital instrumentation, and also a dashboard embellished with a wood-like insert. All without renouncing the optimizations of a work vehicle, full of storage compartments, and with a mobile phone holder directly hooked behind the steering wheel. But there is also the wireless charging pad, in the typical position of the center console. The lever, very similar to a gearbox, is actually a simple gear selector, since the vehicle obviously works on a single ratio. Watch the video of the test where I show you all the details.
[HWUVIDEO=”3339″]Renault Kangoo E-Tech Electric, first contact. Also ideal for families[/HWUVIDEO]
But as always, a very important fact for electric vehicles is that relating to the battery. Renault Kangoo E-Tech Electric has as a dowry 45kWh capacityreally usable, leading to a WLTP range of 285 km. During our journey we monitored consumption, and verified that this value actually corresponds to average use. With so many motorways, and therefore high speeds, the drop is around 200 km, but with more stretches of urban areas, the certification can actually be exceeded, moving towards 300 km per single charge. Optionally you can also set the ECO driving mode, which lowers the power to 56 kW, and the maximum speed to 110 km/h, managing to save on consumption. Also from this point of view, the three regenerative braking settings. The first little more than a sailing, to then move on to a medium engine brake, up to a very decisive recovery. Optionally you can then have heated seats, steering wheel and windshield, so as to save energy even in the coldest climates. Refilling is then quite easy, offering the DC up to 80 kW of power, but also the AC up to 22 kW, now the prerogative of all electric Renaults. Kangoo is also equipped with a heat pump and battery conditioning, all factors that further optimize charging speed, performance and energy savings.
For a vehicle defined as multi-space it is also necessary to talk about the space on board. It is comfortable in the front seats, but also on the rear bench, which can accommodate three adults without difficulty. The bench can also slide, to modulate the rear load space. This is at the top of the category, with 850 liters as a minimumwhich can increase to 950, and with the rear seats folded down it reaches 2,500 litres. The square shape and clean lines allow you to make the most of this space.
An extra technological touch is also given by the central display, where infotainment and satellite navigation reside. A screen perhaps a little small, but functional and intuitive in the commands. We also find technology in the driving aidswith all common ADAS systems, such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane keeping, cruise control, parking assistance, driver fatigue monitor and much more. There is also the MyRenault appwhich allows recharging programming, remote control, passenger compartment pre-conditioning, the search for recharging points and the calculation of destinations that can be reached with the remaining range.
Our test was comfortable, and impressive too the soundproofing of the passenger compartment. The electric motor is obviously silent, but even at high speeds there is no particular annoyance from aerodynamic noise. The engine is proportionate to the weight of the vehicle, you never feel difficult situations when driving. The suspensions are calibrated in the average, and on bumpy sometimes you dance a bit ‘, but it was quite predictable, not being designed for off-road. It is comfortable on board, everything you need seems to be close at handand the structure of the doors helps a lot the access to the vehicle. The front doors open up to 90 degrees, also helping those who may have mobility difficulties, and the sliding rear ones simplify operations even in the tightest parking lots. The charging socket, hidden under the front logo, leaves some perplexity, due to the risk of damage even with harmless rear-end collisions. Due to the relatively short journey, we were unable to test charging, which we hope to do in a multi-day test, perhaps as our first personal car.
Renault Kangoo E-Tech Electric will be available for orders from next Februarywith the first deliveries scheduled for May 2023. There will be only two outfits, dedicated to specific customers. Balance it is basically the base, more suitable for company fleets or for professional purposes, which still need to transport people. Techno instead it looks more towards families and self-employed workers, who are looking for a more refined, more technological car with an extra touch of design. Prices are currently still being defined, and will be revealed under the launch date.
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