Renault unveils Kangoo electric van concept

RENAULT has given fans a glimpse of what its new-generation of Kangoo small van will look like when it arrives from 2020, in the form of the Kangoo ZE Concept revealed as part of Renault’s new light-commercial vehicle (LCV) strategy announced this week.

The Kangoo ZE Concept ushers in a new styling direction for the Kangoo that brings it more in line with its passenger-car range, with signature C-shaped LED headlights that have also been adopted on the updated Trafic and Master ranges (see separate story).

Running through the middle of the headlights and towards the centre of the grille is a single light signature that frames the Renault logo at the front and gives the Kangoo ZE Concept a modern and technological feel.

Another lighting signature has been implemented at the rear of the vehicle, which starts at the badge on the rear door and wraps past the tail-lights and along the side of the vehicle, extending to the B-pillar and door handle.

Design cues from Renault passenger cars carry over to the Kangoo ZE Concept, including its pronounced wheelarches, rounded shoulders and sculpted sides, while its overall design has incorporated smoother finishes including on the rocker panel, windows, headlights, door inserts and front grille.

Renault says the new design will not hurt the practicality of the new Kangoo, specifically the loading area’s volume capacity, due to a wider rear track that will not diminish the area between the wheelarches.

Representing Renault’s vision as a ‘mobile workshop’, the words are emblazoned in place of the rear side windows using a series of light dots that also capable of illumination.

The Kangoo ZE Concept is finished in an Austral Grey bodywork colour, while hints of green are shown throughout including on the roof rails, wheel hubs and outer front air inlets to represent the ‘Work’ element of Renault Design’s six-faceted Life cycle.

A vertical slat design has been applied to the front and rear lower bumpers, which the brand says is inspired by heaters for electronic devices.

Released alongside the Kangoo ZE Concept is a wooden electric bicycle co-designed by French company Keim Cycles, which had previously worked with Renault on the Trezor and Symbioz concepts.

No details have been released on the ZE concept’s powertrain, however punters can expect it to feature greater output and range than the current Kangoo ZE, which comes with a 44kW/225Nm motor with a real-world driving range of 200km.

More details on the next-gen Kangoo ZE will be revealed closer to its global debut next year.