Renault Trafic

RENAULT

by Carl Wepener

Trafic PANEL VAN

When I called and requested a Trafic as I am moving offices and house I never imagined how well the Trafic would cope and how versatile it would be. It is one of the most practical designs with great load carrying ability and pulling capacity. With its long wheelbase and 1200kg carrying capacity the Renault Traffic is a real gem.

Driving the Trafic is also very pleasant as it is very car like and even fully loaded it gives a comfortable ride. I found the Trafic to be well equipped with a Bluetooth system that is easy to operate and a sound system that is great. The infotainment system is much more than expected given the nature of the vehicle.

My gripe with most of the vans is that safety and luxury comes as an afterthought. The Trafic has top-notch safety with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist and driver’s airbag that ensures safety for both the Trafic and other road users.

Driving to and thro with the moving doing around eight kilometres per trip times thirty, I think still gave me a very respectable 6.7 litres per 100kms.Outstanding economy and performance from 1.9 dCi engine. Renault are intent on raising its profile as a contender in the crucial LCV segment with versatility and due to its affordability and reasonable fuel consumption.

The Trafic Panel Van has been specifically designed to meet the needs of professionals, regardless of the business environment they are active in. With its standard height and long wheelbase, it offers ultimate flexibility to suit any business requirement, matched to an impressive 1 200 kg payload capacity and 2 800 mm cargo area length.

Access to the vast 6,0 m3 load compartment is by means of a single sliding door on the left, along with side-hinged rear doors that can be swivelled through 180 degrees for easier loading. Additionally, side anchorage points are provided to safely secure items in transit.

The Trafic’s suspension has been specially adapted to easily cope with its load-lugging ability, while delivering levels of ride refinement and control more typical of an MPV. This is achieved through the use of MacPherson-type suspension with an anti-roll bar in front, along with a flexible beam with trailing arms and Panhard rod at the rear.

The combination of load-sensitive hydraulic dampers and variablerate suspension ensures a constant ride height and consistent handling traits, regardless of how much weight the vehicle is carrying.

In the interests of safety, the Trafic is equipped with disc brakes all round, controlled by ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA). This ensures the optimum level of stopping ability, regardless of the driving conditions or load on board. Additionally, a driver’s airbag is standard, as are side impact bars and height-adjustable seat belts with force limiters and pre-tensioners.

Comfort and convenience are the hallmarks of the Trafic’s cabin environment, which offers levels of refinement and standard features normally associated with passenger cars. The comprehensive equipment list includes air-conditioning, power steering, electric windows and mirrors, a trip computer, a single-CD, MP3-compatible audio system, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. Numerous practical and user-friendly stowage solutions are provided. These include an A4 document holder at the top of the centre console, a storage slot above the glove box, and large binnacles in the door panels. Vehicle security is a prime consideration in this segment. Accordingly, the Trafic Panel Van boasts an insurance-approved Category 1 alarm and immobiliser system, which includes the Renault Anti-Intruder Device (RAID).

This is bolstered by remote central locking with a deadlocking function for ultimate peace of mind. In addition, the spare wheel is fitted with anti-theft bracket. Combining low fuel consumption and running costs with dependable performance, the Trafic is powered by a 1 870 cc common-rail turbodiesel engine. The 1598cc dCi unit produces 88kW of power at 3 500 r/min, linked to 240 Nm of torque at 2 000 r/min.

Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the Trafic is capable of consuming as little as 6,9 l/100 km in the extra-urban environment. Its combined cycle consumption is an impressive 7,9 l/100 km, with a corresponding CO2 emissions rating of 210 g/km. A large 80-litre fuel tank is standard.

The Trafic Panel Van benefits from the same all-encompassing Renault Confiance customer care package as the rest of the range. This includes a five-year/90 000 km service plan with 15 000 km service intervals, along with an extensive five-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty and six-year anti-corrosion warranty. Renault Confiance also provides 24-hour roadside assistance and security, fixed price service menu, as well as guaranteed parts availability or the offer of a mobility solution.

Pricing

 Trafic Panel Van 1.6 dCi R412 900

I can recommend the Renault Trafic Van to anybody as it is a real gem and so nice to drive. Its road manners, whether empty, fully loaded and towing a 4 wheel trailer is very good. What I do have against it, is that there is no reverse camera. I believe the addition of such will make this great van even more liked. Well done Renault.