The most recommendable option surely is to create low-cost cars from the beginning. This is what Datsun does, for instance. The project’s priorities consider cheap and quick production, long-lasting styling, uncomplicated construction and the possibility of multiple body variations, basically. But since most of them will be focused at the aforementioned markets, they also need to include great internal space, fuel-efficient engines and using both internal and external parts as simpler as possible, in order to have cheaper and quicker maintenance and repairs. One problem with that would be the high initial investment, though, but it wouldn’t take long to be paid because these cars usually sell very well.
The other problem, in turn, appears when making said investment isn’t possible. The Brazilian Chevrolet, to give an example, needed to develop Agile for 2009 using nothing but its own funds because at that time the North-American headquarters were trying to avoid bankruptcy. The most convenient solution when the automaker faces scenarios like that is to extend a vehicle’s lifecycle, through giving minor updates focused on offering more for less in order to delay its replacement without losing too much competitiveness. Lots of automakers used to do this in Brazil and still do in China, but it isn’t as miraculous as it may sound. There are some limits to obey, and some automakers unfortunately don’t seem to recognize them.
Kangoo’s latest update clearly follows the second case: it’s literally a new front bumper, which receives a matt-chrome accent for the Sportway trim. It does follow Renault’s current design language, using the single-element grille debuted at the European Clio, but it also tries to hide how old this multivan is: it appeared in 1998 with the first Clio’s platform, which is eight years older. And since it has just been facelifted, it’s easy to expect it’ll stay at the market for at least three, four more years. Even though it still meets the local laws, its safety will be each time worse compared to the current and future cars.
The internal changes were using ABS brakes and dual front airbags as standard. In that country, the available engines are a 95-cv 1.6L with gasoline and a 65-cv dCi 1.5L with diesel, the latter only offered for the Express version. This one’s trims are Generique 1.6 ($ 89,900), Confort (from $ 98,200 to $ 109,900 with the 1.6; from $ 107,700 to 119,300 with the 1.5) and Grand Confort 1.6 ($ 106,200). If you’re looking for a passenger-friendly Kangoo, your options will be Authentique (from $ 114,800 to $ 128,200) and Sportway ($ 131,000), which adds some visual accessories with fake-off-road theme.
Lançamento no Brasil (19/03/2014)
Assim como a dupla Citroën Berlingo e Peugeot Partner, o Kangoo apareceu no Brasil antes do Fiat Doblò, mas nunca conseguiu fazer frente às vendas do italiano. A primeira das francesas se rendeu depois de poucos anos, ao passo que sua irmã conseguiu formar seu público cativo pelo menos na versão de carga. Depois de mais tempo, agora é a Renault que desistiu de oferecer sua multivan em versão de passageiros aqui. A renovação de autoria da filial argentina chega ao país já como linha 2015 mas somente na versão furgão, que em seus primeiros anos era chamada Express. Suas novidades se concentram no novo parachoque dianteiro, cuja grade se esforça em aplicar a identidade de estilo atual da marca a um carro de dezesseis anos de mercado.
Como a tal peça vem com partes na cor do veículo, é de se imaginar que ela corresponda às opções mais caras da gama que se oferece na Argentina. Sua cabine recebeu novos revestimentos de bancos e incorporou airbag duplo e freios ABS de série, em cumprimento às leis atuais. Todo o demais permanece inalterado, tal como a opção de portas laterais corrediças, as portas traseiras assimétricas com abertura de 180° e a capacidade de 800 kg, que a Renault afirma ser a maior do segmento. Também foi mantido o motor 1.6 16v Hi-Flex, que aqui rende até 98 cv e 15,3 kgfm e recebeu a nota “A” no Programa Brasileiro de Etiquetagem Veicular. Outro detalhe é o sistema de atendimento aos usuários comerciais. Ele se chama Renault Pro+, e inclui 53 pontos em todo o país.