Renault's best-selling Kangoo van has a genius new loading feature

PARIS: Renault's latest generation of one of Europe's most popular vans is preparing to ditch one of the most traditional - but also annoying - features of cars and vans: the B pillar.

As a result, the Kangoo Rapid is getting an ultrawide loading area, making it much easier to slide in a piece of furniture or another bulky item that needs transporting.

Set to arrive in mid-2021, the high-roof estate designed for trade workers and commercial use is hoping to score points with this smart new door concept.

By getting rid of the B-pillar behind the front door on the passenger side, the engineers have created an opening of almost 1.50 metres in length when the rear sliding door is open. This facilitates much better access to a load area that can hold up to 3.9 cubic metres.

At the same time as this Kangoo Rapid, there's also a family-friendly passenger car variant with five seats and the old-school B-pillar design.

According to Renault, the basic version of the 4.49-metre-long Kangoo is available as a petrol model with a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine or as a 1.5-litre diesel.

The petrol version is available with 100hp or 130hp, while the diesel comes in three power stages from 75hp to 115hp.

The French manufacturer is also planning an electric version for 2022. With 102hp and a 44kWh battery, it should have a WLTP range of more than 250km.

In addition, the new Citan is being built on the same basis in cooperation with Mercedes. It is due to arrive in the second half of the year.