SINCE the turn of the decade, Renault has emerged as a serious contender in the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment with its three-model line-up of Master, Trafic and Kangoo vans, climbing from 359 sales in 2010 to 4632 last year.

Despite being the slowest-selling of the three, the Kangoo holds a 29.9 per cent market share in the sub-2.5 tonne van market – the largest market share of any Renault vehicle, passenger or commercial.

After serving as the petrol engine in the Kangoo for over a decade, the French manufacturer decided to replace the ageing 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit with a smaller 1.2-litre turbocharged unit that improves fuel efficiency while boosting power and torque.

On first impressions the new powerplant is an earnest and efficient worker that will boost the appeal of the Kangoo for business owners and drivers alike.

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