Manufacturer Renault Body style 5-door SUV | Production 2015–present | |
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Assembly Palencia, Spain (Renault Spain)
Wuhan, China (Dongfeng Renault) Class Compact crossover SUV (J) Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive with an optional Extended Grip system or four-wheel-drive | ||
The Renault Kadjar is a compact SUV (J) from French car manufacturer Renault, offered with a choice of two-drive with an Extended Grip system or full four-wheel drive. The Renault Kadjar was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show with sales starting in April 2015 in Europe and in 2016 in China.
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Overview
The Kadjar shares the same Renault–Nissan Common Module Family platform as the Nissan Qashqai which will allow for front- and four-wheel drive. It is offered with the latest version of Renault's R-Link 2 infotainment system (voice control, navigation, Bluetooth and radio), engine stop-start, emergency brake assist, lane departure warning and road-sign recognition with speed limit alerts, 360-degreee sensors, reversing camera and a hands-free parking system.
The Renault Kadjar has been awarded as the best-in-class residual value of resale by the CAP automotive experts. The Renault Kadjar was also chosen as Small SUV of the Year in the ContractHireAndLeasing.com Car of the Year Awards 2015.
The 108 bhp 1.5-litre diesel is the most economical model offered, with CO2 emissions of 99g/km and fuel economy of 74.3mpg. Final performance figures are not yet confirmed, but offers much the same levels as the Qashqai, with 0–62 mph coming in 11.9sec. The 128 bhp 1.6-litre diesel makes it from 0–62 mph in 9.9sec, emit 115g/km and average 64mpg. Performance and economy figures are said to be largely similar for both automatic and manual versions. The 4WD version has slightly higher emissions. A 128 bhp 1.2 TCe petrol model is also offered.
Renault claims the Kadjar name is based on two words: Kad is inspired by quad to represent a go-anywhere four-wheeled vehicle and Jar recalls the French words agile and jaillir respectively representing agility and suddenly emerging from somewhere. Renault published a more elaborate explanation of the name Kadjar in the blog section of their corporate web site.
However, its relation to Qashqai points to its relation to the Qajars or in French Kadjars. Since Nasser ed-Din Shah the Qajar shahs of Persia wrote their name in western script in the French way: Kadjar. This relation has been noted in several professional and social media in prevalently neutral but in few cases a bit enthusiastic manner. There were also rare bursts of politically based outrage. According to two Iranian sources, Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar King of Iran (1853–1907), acquired two Renault cars in Belgium in 1900 while on his trip in Europe and had them delivered to Iran. These were to be the first automobiles in Iran.
Emissions compliance
Prompted by the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the German motor authority found many cars not complying with the intention of the emission laws. The Kadjar was measured to have a NOx emission level of 1.5 g/km, almost 20 times the Euro 6 limit of 80 mg/km.