New 1.6-litre turbo for Renault Kadjar  20 | 09 | 2017

RENAULT HAS ADDED a new range-topping 163bhp 1.6-litre turbo to the Kadjar SUV line-up. There’a also a new CVT auto. First deliveries of the new engine and transmission option begin in October, with prices at Scottish dealerships now starting at £19,785, an increase of £300. (Related: Renault launches scrappage scheme)

The new TCe 165 sits above the existing 1.2-litre turbo. Renault claims of the new 163bhp model will cover 0-62mph in 9.2secs, and continue on to a max of 127mph. At the pumps it returns 47.1mpg, 3mpg down on the 1.2-litre model.

Available only on Dynamic Nav models and above, the new 163bhp Kadjar starts at £22,019. (Related: Roadtest — Renault Koleos dCi 175bhp 4WD)

Elsewhere in the range, the new X-Tronic CVT transmission has been added to the dCi 130 model. According to Renault, it delivers “a smoother drive’. It’ll do 0-62mph in 11.1s and tops out at 117mph.

Renault has also introduced a new Hands free keycard function to the Kadjar, meaning the doors automatically unlock as the driver walks towards the car.

Since it launched in the country two years ago, Renault has sold 45,000 Kadjars in the UK. It does though trail the runaway segment leader, the Qashqai. The ever-popular Nissan sold 39,698 in the first eight months of 2017 alone.

Related: Renault launches Iconic Twingo

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Jim McGill