New Renault Trafic poised for Euro release

With Renault’s refreshed Trafic due to hit European markets mid-2014, the French manufacturer has released full details of its new “office on wheels”, which it claims offers class-leading load-carrying length and a raft of new features.

Local buyers, however, will have to wait a little longer to sample the new LCV – Renault Australia has said the new Trafic won’t reach our shores until mid-2015.

Now produced in Sandouville, France (previously the model was manufactured at either a Nissan facility in Spain or a GM plant in Britain), the Trafic will be available in Europe with a choice of four new Renault-developed 1.6-litre engines, each of which feature auto stop-start technology.

The single-turbo dCi 90 (260Nm) and dCi 115 (300Nm) engines are said to deliver a saving of 1L/100km over the existing 2.0-litre Trafic II engine, while the Energy dCi 120 twin-turbo (320Nm) and Energy dCi 140 twin-turbo are said to deliver fuel economy figures of 5.9L/100km and 6.1L/100km respectively.

The twin-turbo engines see one low-inertia turbo deliver high torque at low revs for stronger off-the-line performance, while the second turbo takes over at higher engine speeds. Renault says 80 per cent of the Trafic’s available torque is produced from just 1250rpm.

The new Trafic’s cargo area has been optimised with a number of practical features. Two flaps – one at the bottom of the bulkhead and another beneath the front passenger seat – lift up to accommodate extra-long loads. Renault says the new Trafic provides market-leading load-carrying ability in terms of load length – up to 3.75m and 4.15m respectively in the two lengths in which it is available.

The overhead internal rack is also new. Thanks to a roof cross member for extra strength it has a carrying capacity of 13kg, and will prove very handy for securing items like a step ladder, for example.

In Europe, the new Trafic will be available in two lengths and two heights, plus a variety of crew-cab, platform-cab and people-carrier formats. In all, Renault says a total range of 270 combinations will be on offer. The largest Trafic boasts a carrying capacity of 8.6m³.

The redesigned cabin features clever touches to accommodate various mobile business needs, including a mobile phone cradle, a tablet cradle, a platform for a laptop on the back of the folding centre seat, and a total of 14 different stowage options including bottle and cup holders.

The front passenger two-person bench seat lifts up to reveal a 54-litre storage bin, allowing drivers to securely conceal larger valuables.

A choice of audio, communications and multimedia options are available, while new driver aids include a reversing camera, Hill Start Assist and Extended Grip, the latter a traction control function that enhances front-wheel grip on particularly slippery surfaces such as mud or snow.

While we are a little over a year away from the new Trafic’s arrival in Australia, stocks of the current-generation Trafic II are plentiful, with the model priced from $32,990 drive away.