The Renault Kangoo is now available with an automatic gearbox.

The Renault Kangoo van is now available with an automatic gearbox. The French firm has made its Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automated manual transmission available on the popular small van, providing an option that’s likely to appeal to drivers who spend a lot of time in town and heavy traffic.

The EDC gearbox is available on the dCi 90 and dCi 110 version of the van, and is now available to order. Prices start from £21,805 for the dCi 90 version.

The six-speed EDC is an automatic dual dry clutch transmission, dispensing with the need for a clutch pedal. The ideal gear is selected automatically by an electronic control unit. Gearshift control is of the ‘P-R-N-D’ type, plus an ‘up/down’ shift mode. A push forward on the gear lever directs the transmission to downshift, a pull backwards to upshift.

It takes the gearbox just 290ms to change gear, so it’s a lot quicker and smoother than a human driver. But perhaps the biggest advantage is the creep function. As with a traditional torque converter automatic, the van will creep forwards when you take you foot off the brake pedal. This is very useful when driving in heavy traffic.

According to Renault, the EDC automatic transmission adds 28kg in weight compared with the manual. Official fuel consumption for the Kangoo dCi 90 EDC is 55.4mpg on the combined cycle (NEDC), with CO₂ of 136g/km.