FEATURE | TIE UP

Translated By DeepL

Kangoo, born in France, assists people in their hobbies and daily life. Vol.14 / HOUYHNHNM FISHING CLUB
RENAULT supports your Passion

The French-born Kangoo assists people with their hobbies and lifestyle.
Vol.14 / HOUYHNHNM FISHING CLUB

The Renault KANGOO can carry a variety of cargo and has a cool design. This spring, the KANGOO was reborn with a crisp, sharp look and a significant upgrade in driving performance. The passengers in this vehicle are members of the HOUYHNHNM's FISHING CLUB, who enjoy fishing under the motto of "fun, fun, chill out. With lots of outdoor goods and their prized fishing equipment in the cargo area, they set out for Lake Takataki in Chiba Prefecture.

PROFILE

Junpei Ichikawa

An editor who produces media and creates advertisements for brands, he launched the fishing lifestyle magazine "BEFORE YOU WAKE UP" in 2022 and enjoys fishing in both his public and private life. He also loves driving and will serve as the driver of the "Kangoo" in this project.

PROFILE

Fumihiko Ikemoto

A photographer active mainly in the fields of fashion and the outdoors. He drives a car every day for his job and shoots in a variety of locations, from studios in Tokyo to deep in the rugged mountains. He started fishing when HOUYHNHNM FISHING CLUB was established in 2021.

PROFILE

Yosuke Ishii

Editor-in-Chief of HOUYHNHNM's. He manages the magazine while keeping his brain fully revolving for the production of hip articles. He is also in charge of editing this Series, and communicates the appeal of the "Kangoo" from various perspectives. On the other hand, he is also the head of HOUYHNHNM FISHING CLUB, and is as serious about fishing as he is about his work.

A car that can carry so much luggage is still attractive.

As the lingering summer heat eases and the weather turns to autumn, the new Kangoo, which has just undergone a renewal in March of this year, makes its appearance in the city.

One of the most attractive features of the "Kangoo" is its overwhelmingly spacious cargo area. The members of HOUYHNHNM FISHING CLUB are loading their luggage into the Kangoo. Their destination is Takatakiko Lake in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture. They will be bass fishing there.

Only one rear seat is folded down to extend the luggage space. Many tools are loaded there. Long rods are stored overhead by using the pockets above the front seats and supporting them with belts. The Kangoo can be used in a variety of ways, and this is one of its many charms.

After loading all the luggage into the car, we immediately headed for Takataki Lake. Incidentally, the new "Kangoo" has a much higher load capacity than before, and when all the rear seats are folded down, the load capacity is 2,800 liters. The specifications are perfect in terms of height, width, and depth. So it is a perfect match for outdoor activities.

Our game is based on tools, so a car that can carry this much luggage is very attractive. That's why a car that can carry this much luggage is very attractive. Not only for fishing, but also for camping and festivals, we have to carry a lot of luggage, so the Kangoo is really convenient for us.

I also surf, and this car will be able to carry my surfboard. I also drive it around Tokyo for work, carrying equipment for photo shoots, and sometimes I go to distant places, so it will be useful for work as well.

It's definitely useful for my work. As a photographer, I have to carry a large camera bag and long rolls of background paper. The depth of the Kangoo makes me feel very secure.

The new Kangoo is equipped with Renault's unique multimedia system, with an 8-inch display that can be synchronized with various devices. The ability to easily control navigation and music using a smartphone is also a nice feature. This is so easy! said Ichikawa, who also took on the role of driver.

On the other hand, Ishii had this to say.

Compared to the previous Kangoo model, the interior has been dressed up and is very stylish," said Ishii.

True to its word, the interior has been designed with a horizontal base and sharp decorations that add to its stylishness. This is another key point of update.

The "Kangoo" leaves Tokyo for its destination. The same stylish mood can be felt on the exterior. The overall form is crisp and sharp, and the face has evolved into a somewhat masculine appearance.

The new Kangoo has a new look," said Ikemoto. The previous Kangoo models were attractive because of their cuteness, but the new Kangoo's design is more muscular.

The silhouette and coloring that are typical of this car have been carried over from the previous model, not to mention it's cooler. I'm also attracted by the upgrades that make it instantly recognizable as a Kangoo.

In addition, driving performance has also been greatly improved. The various advanced driving and parking assist systems (ADAS), which are a welcome addition, are enhanced, enabling safer driving and a more enjoyable drive with peace of mind.

Of particular note is "Highway and Traffic Jam Assist," which combines Lane Centering Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control. The system maintains a constant speed and distance between vehicles to support the driver's driving.

This is great! Driving on highways requires a lot of attention to speed control, but with this function, the burden is greatly reduced. The car adjusts its speed to a pre-set speed and automatically follows the car while maintaining a safe distance from the car in front. In addition, the Lane Centering Assist function supports steering wheel operation, making driving very easy. Even on long trips, this function makes driving much more comfortable.

After getting off the highway and arriving near Takataki Lake, the three of them went to a bento shop along the way to buy lunch boxes for their lunch. Ichikawa was very impressed with the lunch box store, saying, "The pork lunch boxes here are really good.

With shopping completed, the "Kangoo" is on the move again toward its destination. Takataki Lake is just around the corner.

INFORMATION

Renault Japon

Phone: 0120-676-365 (Hours: 9:00~18:00, open year-round)
www.renault.jp

RENAULT KANGOO INTENS

From 3,950,000 yen (Manufacturer's suggested retail price in Japan)
https://www.renault.jp/car_lineup/kangoo/