Johannesburg, South Africa – Building on the momentum gained by the initial launch of the all-new Kadjar SUV, as well as looking forward to an exciting rest of the year in terms of important new product introductions (Megane and Kwid), Renault South Africa last week topped up its local Kadjar offering with the arrival of three additional derivatives.
Complementing the existing petrol-powered range is both a new 1,5 dCi turbodiesel option, as well as an automatic transmission option, crucial for Renault considering more than half of global SUV sales want for this type of drivetrain.
Boasting seven forward speeds when mated with Renault’s feisty turbocharged 1,2-litre petrol engine, there is however one fewer cog required once this dual clutch (EDC) transmission is combined with the dCi unit. Directing 81 kW and a strong 250 N.m of torque (from 1 750 r/min) to the front wheels only, it’s a refined drivetrain combination that makes light work of the Kadjar dCi EDC’s relatively slim 1 416 kg kerb weight.
While there’s a welcome fluidity to the workings of Renault’s dual-clutch transmission, as we’ve found in other models fitted with it (including our long-term Captur), slight initial hesitations associated with low-speed manoeuvring can frustrate. I looked to counter this during the local launch drive route around the outskirts of Johannesburg by initialling downshifts via the manual mode (steering wheel-mounted paddles would prove advantageous here) instead of waiting for the ‘box to “read” the situation.
Where earlier in the day I noted a relatively firm ride associated with the sporty-looking optional 19-inch alloy wheels (and corresponding low-profile rubber) fitted to the launch models, the ride quality in the similarly specced, yet somewhat heavier dCi model seemed altogether more compliant.
Another more definitive advantage to the dCi-powered Kadjar models (also available with a six-speed manual transmission) is a corresponding 4,7 L/100 km claimed fuel consumption (with 124 g/km emissions) for the EDC model. I managed a still impressive 5,3 L/100 km over our combined cycle launch route.
Larger than the equality polished Nissan Qashqai with which it shares much of its DNA, the Renault Kadjar range continues to impress with its notable levels of refinement and finesse. Where the manual-only initial models offered a positive taste of what this important model is capable of, the introduction of both a frugal diesel engine derivative, as well as a sought-after automatic transmission option, should prove decisive in cementing the Kadjar’s place on the local soft SUV scene.
