RENAULT Kangoo showed off its stylish new face at the show as the French manufacturer revealed its revised model for the first time.

Launched in 1997, the Kangoo gained the reputation of being a cute yet capable performer. The facelift brings Kangoo more into line with the rest of the Renault range, giving the van a look more like its big brother the Trafic.

Elliptical headlights, a plunging bonnet line accentuated by a centre crease and new body-coloured bumpers sharpen the style at the front, while there is more plastic at the rear end, together with new rear light clusters.

Inside, the seats have extra side support and the underside of the dashboard has extra padding. Engine mountings are stiffened and there is a new subframe, all of which makes for a quieter cab.

The new range will be powered by a choice of 1.5dCi common rail diesel engines offering either 57, 65 or 80bhp and torque of between 95 and 136lb-ft. There is also a choice of petrol engines – 1.2-litre with 60bhp and 68lb-ft of torque and 1.6-litre 16v with 95bhp and 109lb-ft.

Standard equipment includes driver's airbag, remote central locking, height adjustable seatbelts and power steering. A new '+' range offers electric windows, side sliding door, rubber floor covering and overhead document shelf in the cab.

Renault believes more than 50% of sales will be + models. Fuel economy is a claimed 53.4mpg for the 80bhp 1.5dCi and prices range from £6,900 to £10,300 ex-VAT. Also revealed for the first time on the stand was the new high-roof Trafic, the van that won this year's Fleet News Award for medium panel vans.

Trafic is also rebadged as Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan Primastar and the new variant is built at the joint plant in Barcelona.

Due to go on sale later this year, the larger Trafic is available in short and long wheelbases and in LWB format has a load length of 2,400mm, width of 1,268mm between wheel arches and height of 1,900mm.

Load volume is seven or eight cubic metres and the bigger models will be powered by the 1.9dCi common rail powerplant offering 100bhp. Later this year, a new double-cab version will join the line-up, with seating for six people.