Renault Kangoo Compact Concept

Tags: concept cars, renault, frankfurt 2007 Published on 4 October 2007 | 5,844 views

Unveiled by Renault at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Kangoo Compact Concept is a leiseure-oriented vehicle targeted to young urban people. The design features large glazed surfaces and takes inspiraton from the roller-skating world.

Presented at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Renault Kangoo Compact Concept targets "young, active town- and city-dwellers who are into sport and are looking for a compact car that matches their life-style."

It is powered by a 1.5 dCi 105 engine equipped with a particulate filter. The unit delivers 105hp and 240Nm of torque.

Exterior Design

Built around a roller-skating theme, the Kangoo Compact Concept was developed in partnership with Rollerblade, and inspired by the shared values of mobility, togetherness, and lust for life.

The three-door body is characterized by a two-tone color (Fireball Orange and Brushed Aluminium) and a large glazed surface area.

Less than four metres long, Kangoo Compact Concept features a rugged all-terrain look, which is emphasised by a ride height that has been raised 200mm, and 19-inch aluminium wheels with five blue-tinged translucent spokes.

The removable rear-section roof allows for loading bulky equipment and gives the occupants the chance to enjoy an open-air drive.

Once the hinged roof-flap has been removed and the electrically-controlled rear screen has slid out of sight, the wide blue yonder beckons.

Interior

The four-seater interior is playful and sporty. Materials adopted include Skate Blue leather and techno-look Aluminium Grey 3D mesh fabric, topped off with Tonic Orange.

The dashboard combines softly rounded volumes and curved lines with transparent, slip-proof silicone material silicon, borrowed from the roller-skating world. The navigation screen, compass, and other controls are all located in the central console.

Additional sporty touches include the steering wheel’s slip-proof cladding, blue and fluorescent orange liquid fuel and water gauges, and the speedometer, which incorporates a manual speed limiter as well as a blue zone representing the speed range of a person on roller skates, i.e. 0 to 80kph.

The tailgate has a lower panel that opens out to 45° and 90° - very convenient for putting on your roller skates (which the car is preequipped with) or for two people to sit down on.

Seat positions are adjustable using an ergonomically designed electric finger-roll control shaped like a roller skate wheel.

Renault Kangoo Compact Concept - Instrument gauges

Renault Kangoo Compact Concept - Door handle

The seats slide forward so that the rear bench seat can swivel through 180°C to make full use of all the space in the car and – a very practical feature – so that passenger can get into the vehicle through the tailgate.

Spare roller skate wheels and other accessories can be stowed in the purpose-built bins in the side panels, which frees up space in the cabin.

Renault Kangoo Compact Concept - Interior detail

Renault Kangoo Compact Concept - Integrated roller-blades

In keeping with the skating spirit, Kangoo Compact Concept exudes youth and dynamism, emphasised by two translucent blue side waves made from plexiglass and a stylish, metal mesh floor shaped like a half pipe.

A new approach to light

Kangoo Compact Concept’s generous interior space is highlighted by the brightly lit ambience in which it bathes.

Its panoramic windscreen is supplemented by a glass roof and a retractable rear roof flap and rear screen.

The wide sweep of its windows lets the light shine in, creating a bright, warm feel, while also affording occupants a panoramic view of the road.

The rear roof flap and rear screen can be folded away in just a few seconds to make room for bulky objects or simply to enjoy a ride in the open air.

The removable roof feature is unique. It is ideal for people with fast lifestyles who like having fun with friends and are always keen to try out new experiences.