Yes a simple rename from epub to kepub.epub does force the engine to change; however, the book needs to be DRM free, and, a simple rename will not allow some featurs like bookmarks, or annotations to work.
For those to work, the book needs to have span's added throughout it, and the kobo.js file found in a true kepub added as well.
All those functions (save the DRM removal) are handled by the Kobo Touch Extended driver.
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