by Robert Lewis (03 Oct 03)

The Trekka is a type of car nobody else has thought of producing. In fact, it's so far out of the mainstream that it doesn't have a direct rival in any other manufacturer's catalogue.

So you have to admire Renault just for having the cheek to market a budget MPV which happens to have four-wheel drive and a ground clearance, when loaded, of no less than 180mm. As we found when we tested the original version, it's a very adaptable machine, aimed at a small, specific group of potential customers.

The Trekka front end has been restyled so that it looks more like the standard Kangoo, with revised bonnet, bumper, grille, front wings, wheel arch mouldings and headlamp design. While the front and rear bumpers, and the side mouldings on the doors, are available in black, they can also be specified in the full body colour.

There are no major changes to the bodywork, which continues the high-set, sliding rear doors approach, with a colossal amount of space for passengers thanks to the generous headroom, a pretty good load area with the rear seats in place, and pantechnicon-style when they're folded.

Stowage compartments in the roof make sensible use of space which has no other purpose except to allow standing room, and also help to keep down the echoes. Renault has also fitted the new model with more sound-absorbent material ahead of the front bulkhead, and thicker carpeting. Stiffer engine mountings should also help here, and the diesel has a flexible flywheel which contributes to a 3dB reduction in the measured noise level at the French autoroute maximum speed.

Improved Seats And Trim

The seats offer better side support, which is quite handy, considering that this is a car often cornered on the door handles. Trim materials have been improved, and in the top-spec version there's a design based on tyre patterns.

One extra-cost option is half-leather trim, with leather/cloth upholstery, a leather-rimmed steering wheel, and leather for the gear lever knob and gaiter.

Standard equipment on all Trekkas includes 15" alloy wheels and ABS with brake assist. Air conditioning is on the extra-cost options list, though. So are an electrically operated panoramic sunroof and a fixed glass roof, which you can't get in conjunction with the overhead parcel shelf.

The petrol engine is the familiar 93bhp 1.6-litre, which takes the Trekka from 0-62mph in 13.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 95mph. Fuel consumption - and here you have to bear in mind the drag of the four-wheel drive transmission as well as the high body stance - is 38.7mpg extra urban and 32.8mpg combined.

With the 1.9-litre dCi engine there's a rise in performance over the previous diesel, with an output of 79bhp and peak torque of 132lb/ft at 2000rpm. The new Trekka dCi will get to 62mph in 16.2 seconds, and a change in the fifth gear ratio has boosted the top speed to 91mph. Extra urban consumption is 44.8mpg, and the combined figure is 38.2.

There are no alterations to the transmission system, which has the benefit of an adaptive hydraulic coupling bought in from Renault's alliance partner Nissan. Nobody pretends that the Trekka is a full-whack rough-terrain charger, but, as well having permanent drive to all four wheels instead of just two, it comes with an extended sump guard to protect the engine, transmission and fuel tank.

Standard prices are £11,800 for the petrol model and £12,800 for the turbo diesel.

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