Renault Australia has finally got its hands on an automatic transmission option for its diesel-powered Kangoo van, priced from $29,990 plus on-road costs.

As seen on petrol-powered versions of the French brand’s updated compact van introduced a year ago, the six-speed EDC (for Efficient Dual Clutch) automated gearbox is available as a $3,000 option over the regular six-speed manual transmission.

Whereas the petrol engine – an 84kW/190Nm 1.2L turbocharged four-cylinder unit – is restricted to the short-wheelbase (2,697mm) Kangoo Compact body style, the diesel engine provides extra muscle for the long-wheelbase (3,081mm) Maxi variants in the form of a 1.5L turbo-diesel producing 81kW of power and 250Nm of torque with the EDC – up 10Nm compared to the manual.

The five-seater diesel-powered Maxi Crew (priced from $29,490) is not available with the EDC.

The new transmission brings a range of benefits including super-fast shift times of just 290 milliseconds, according to Renault, ‘creep control’ (which makes life easier in stop/start traffic, pulling away gradually when the brake pedal is released) and the ability to shift gears manually.

Fuel economy is excellent, too, and while unable to match the manual diesel Maxi which returns 4.7L/100km on the official combined cycle, the EDC version is still a frugal little workhorse at 5.4L/100km. The EDC adds 28kg in weight compared with the manual.

Helping keep consumption down is the standard fitment of a driver-selectable ‘Eco’ mode on the diesel engine, which when activated modifies the management of the gearbox ECU (electronic control unit) and enables shifts at lower revs. The upshot, Renault says, is a cut in fuel use by as much as 10%.

All Kangoos come fitted standard with a high level of safety equipment including four airbags, electronic stability and traction control, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake assist, and rear parking sensors. A reversing camera is optional.

Other features on board include air conditioning, a trip computer, cruise control (with speed limiter), electric windows, remote central locking and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity with audio streaming.

The 800kg payload on the EDC diesel Maxi Kangoo is down slightly on the manual version (825kg) but the load volume of 4.0m³ is the same – as is the 1,050kg braked towing capacity.

Accessed via glazed dual rear doors (with 180° opening) and right- and left-hand sliding doors, the cargo area includes 14 tie-down points, tubular driver protection bars, mid-height lining, a rubber floor and lighting. It measures 1,862mm long, 1,218mm wide (between the wheel arches) and 1,251mm high.

The Kangoo range is covered by a 3-year/200,000km factory warranty with three years of roadside assistance thrown in. Service intervals are annual or every 30,000km, and covered by a capped-price servicing plan that, for the first three scheduled services, costs $349 each.