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Automotive Health<br />
Limited-run Renault<br />
Kadjar XP introduced<br />
Although a late entrant to the<br />
highly congested and competitive<br />
compact crossover<br />
segment, the Renault Kadjar<br />
has steadily gone about establishing<br />
itself as a South African favourite<br />
given the increasing number of examples<br />
sighted on our roads.<br />
With just under 800 units<br />
having found homes since its<br />
market debut in April last year,<br />
including the additions of an<br />
EDC dual-clutch gearbox and<br />
two-wheel drive models in July,<br />
Renault South Africa has now<br />
further boosted the range with<br />
the limited edition XP.<br />
Essentially based on the regular<br />
1.2 TCe Expression, the<br />
XP adds a number of exterior<br />
features normally found on the<br />
options list or on higher spec<br />
models. These include 17-inch<br />
alloy wheels, swan neck towbar,<br />
side steps, detachable roof rack,<br />
cornering fog lights and special<br />
XP decals on the bootlid and<br />
front wings.<br />
The interior remains<br />
unchanged from the Expression<br />
though with cloth seats,<br />
a seven-inch TFT instrument<br />
cluster with configurable display<br />
options and colours, multifunction<br />
steering wheel, cruise<br />
control with speed limiter,<br />
Bluetooth enabled sound system<br />
with USB/AUX, Hill Start<br />
Assist, six airbags, ABS with<br />
EBD, EBA and ESP, and ISO-<br />
FIX mounting points among<br />
the standard comfort and safety<br />
items offered.<br />
Tipping the scales at some<br />
1.8 tons, there was always<br />
going to be some apprehension<br />
that the small 1,197cc turbocharged<br />
four-pot would struggle<br />
to haul the Kadjar along, especially<br />
up at the Reef and with<br />
our extreme heat. With 96kW<br />
and 206Nm of torque on tap,<br />
the engine made for a willing<br />
performer on the 100-odd km<br />
launch route to and from Lanseria<br />
Airport, but tended to run<br />
out of puff when the terrain<br />
became hilly.<br />
Linked to slick shifting sixspeed<br />
manual gearbox, the fourcylinder<br />
mill came into its own<br />
on the highway with noise levels<br />
well dampened and the ride<br />
comfortable.<br />
Although an Eco mode for<br />
maximum efficiency is offered,<br />
the XP is at happiest without<br />
this setting activated as the<br />
somewhat delayed throttle and<br />
turbo response tendered to dull<br />
the overall experience.<br />
While it is expected that<br />
the greater number of Kadjar<br />
buyers would rather opt<br />
for the torque-laden, oil burning<br />
1.6 dCi in Dynamique trim,<br />
the XP makes for an attractive<br />
buy especially considering<br />
it includes the aforementioned<br />
extras, worth R40,000, at the<br />
same R364,900 sticker price as<br />
the Expression.<br />
Now factor in the standard<br />
five-year/150,000km warranty<br />
and five-year/90,000km service<br />
plan, and you have a stylish,<br />
well-equipped and refined package<br />
worth serious consideration.<br />
Kzn Lifestyle Magazine • Issue 21 35
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