Renault is expanding its commercial vehicle range in the Netherlands with the Express. The model is completely new for the Netherlands, although the basis is less ‘fresh’ than you might think. The Express will be available at Renault dealers from May. Prices will follow in April.
Renault showed the first images of the new Kangoo at the end of last year, but also fired the Express directly at the viewer. Is the Express brand new? Yes and no. We don’t know him yet in the Netherlands. Due to the lack of brand history, Dacia does not exist in various South American markets and so the Duster and Dokker go through life as Renault. The Renault version of that Dokker is called Kangoo Express and it is in fact the ‘Renault Dokker’ that the French are now bringing to Europe in modernized form. This is the first time that a Dacia model in Western Europe is renamed Renault, instead of the other way around.
The 4.39 meter long Express will soon also be delivered in various countries as an ‘MPV’, a version for passenger transport. That car is not coming to the Netherlands. Renault does bring the Express to our country as a delivery van. It is very practical in any case. The van version has a loading volume of 3.3 cubic meters, which is easy to fill via an almost 72 cm wide sliding door. At the very back two rear doors. The cargo area is 1.91 meters deep. The payload is – if you choose a petrol engine – 780 kilos. If you go for a diesel, you can bring up to 650 kilos of stuff.
Renault Express
Exterior
Despite its Dacia base, the Express has been optically aligned with the rest of the Renault family. Optically, the buyer looks quite like the youngest Kangoo. Among other things, the car has been given a different bonnet and the Renault DNA is clearly present at the front. The headlights have C-shaped LED daytime running lights and the way the grille is designed is also completely Renault. The Express stands on 15-inch steel wheels with caps and has black plastic bumpers all around and similarly dressed side sills. The large side mirrors emphasize the mainly utilitarian character of the Express.
Renault Express
Interior
The interior is relatively simple in design, but not old-fashioned. Renault speaks of ‘robust fabric upholstery’ on the seats, which, incidentally, differ from the seats in the Dokker. The driver’s seat is simply adjustable in height. Renault also says it has improved the acoustics and insulation. Thanks to a whole collection of compartments, trays, slots and niches, the Express workplace has 48 liters of storage space. Renault supplies, among other things, the Connect R & Go radio in the Express, although a more extensive Easy Link system with an 8-inch touchscreen is also available. The Easy Link system can handle Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and has a navigation function. Incidentally, no lack of connection options. The Express has three USB ports and four 12v connections, one of which is located in the cargo area. Renault even supplies an inductive charger as an option.
engines
The European engine list includes the well-known 100 hp and 200 Nm strong 1.3 TCe petrol engine. Diesel is possible with a 1.5 Blue dCi that has two power versions: 75 hp and 220 Nm and 95 hp and 240 Nm. The 75 hp self-igniter also gets an Ecoleader variant with a limited top speed of 100 km / h. This economical variant has an Eco driving mode and a gear shift indicator. All engines are linked to a manual six-speed gearbox.
Renault Express
Security systems
The Renault Express may be relatively simple in design, but it does not disappoint at all in terms of safety systems. It has, among other things, a 5-inch display in the place where the rear view mirror is normally located. The screen shows the image observed by a camera placed above the rear. Blind Spot Warning, Trailer Stability Assist, Hill Start and cruise control are also all featured. The same applies to front and rear parking sensors. A reversing camera is also included in the standard equipment.
Dutch prices will follow at a later stage, then it will also be known which engines and versions can be ordered in the Netherlands.