Be Bop sees the light

First seen as the very cool Compact Concept at last year's Frankfurt motor show, Renault has extended design attention on the Kangoo to produce the Be Bop model, revealed at this month's motor show in Paris.

The Be Bop is the latest addition to Renault's line-up, offering space for four passengers complete with open-air experience via large tilt-opening roof and two front tilting glass panels.

And like the Compact Concept the emphasis is on light within the cabin, having a steeply raked windscreen, large tailgate window and fixed middle glazed panel.

Frankfurt's Kangoo Compact Concept was designed for "young, active town and city-dwellers who are into sport and are looking for a compact car that matches their lifestyle".

The Be Bop extends on the hip sporty concept, offering lots of load space and clever storage for recreational equipment, and room for four in comfortable, colourful surrounds. Europeans will be offered a range of "city friendly" engines including the brand's well-regarded 1.5-litre dCi turbodiesel and 1.6-litre petrol units. 

Unfortunately, without more regular MPVs such as the Espace here to prepare Aussies for big clever Renault passenger cars, it's unlikely we'll see Be Bop offered for sale in local showrooms.

Sales of the more conventional Kangoo have been helped by the release of the 1.5 dCi diesel-engined model (more here), according to Renault Australia.

The local outfit for the brand told the Carsales Network that the commercial-based version of the Kangoo is only rarely turned into a peoplemover by Aussie customers.

The Kangoo Be Bop goes on sale in Europe early 2009.

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