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Although both are classed as commercial vehicles, the worlds of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) have tended to be quite separate. That segregation has blurred somewhat in recent years, with the likes of MAN Trucks and Renault Trucks selling large vans such as the MAN TGE and Renault Trucks Red Edition Master, and is set to be further obscured with the arrival of Renault Trucks into the 1-tonne LCV market.

The Renault Trucks Trafic Red Edition is new territory for the French Truck brand, but according to Grahame Neagus, Head of LCV & Municipal - UK & Ireland, the new addition will offer customers something different to other LCV products. “Our mission is to create an aspirational, driver-centric range of products that go beyond the traditional 1 tonne market operators’ expectations by infusing our Truck DNA into the new Trafic,” he explained at a media event in the company’s UK and Ireland headquarters in Warwick in the UK midlands, adding that the addition of the Trafic to the range aligns with the brand’s urban and e-mobility strategy.

While the Trafic itself is a familiar sight through 42 years of production, high trim levels and specifications, as well as a range of specialist applications will give Renault Trucks the opportunity to carve out a share of what is quite a crowded market place, and separate it

from the ‘yellow’ Trafic sold by Groupe Renault. For instance, it will offer a platform cab version, something unique in the one-tonne LCV segment at present.

Renault Trucks is positioning the Trafic Red Edition at the high end of the 1-tonne LCV market, targeting products from Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Ford. Two trim levels are being offered - Red Edition, which Grahame says is roughly equivalent to Groupe Renault’s Business+ version, and Red Edition Exclusive. The latter includes such items as an aluminium grain dashboard with Chrome finish and LED lighting, a synthetic leather steering wheel, 4.2” colour main display, an 8” central screen with smartphone replication, driver’s seat with lumbar support, a passenger bench seat with folding backrest and closed storage, driver monitoring alert system, and hands free access. All models will feature Renault Trucks rear emblem plate and Red Edition livery including red seat belts and a gear lever knob with red piping.

Another area where Renault Trucks sees the Trafic Red Edition as offering an advantage over the competition, especially for hardworking SME operators who cannot afford to have their vehicle out of action, is in the support of its dealer network which has long offered extended hours servicing, with staff that understand the needs of busy customers.

Panel Van models are offered in two length and two height versions with 1200-1300kg payloads. The Crew Cab version has two length and one height variants while the Platform Cab version uses the longer wheelbase. Combi models come in L1H1 and L2H1 versions.

Three special edition models at launch - a Dakar Edition, an 1894 Edition and a Racing Edition - will appeal to those customers looking for their van to stand out from the crowd. Also available are a selection of special conversions including a City Mover Luton bodied example that can carry load volumes of up to 17 cubic metres, a Trafic OptiChiller with roof top solar panels, and two Multitrade models suitable for all types of SME tradespeople in L1 and L2 heights. Other versions to come before year end include Trafic Red Edition OptiCage for landscape gardeners with a caged dropside body, unique sloping floor and under floor storage system, a second Optichiller version with Gray & Adams Chiller or Freezer box body, a JiffyTruck for those in the Sandwich Delivery sector, and the Trafic Alp D’Huez camper van in L1 and L2 body lengths.

On the engine front, four versions of the two litre single turbo diesel engine are offered with outputs of 110, 130, 150 and 170hp. Standard specification (on the H1 Van, Crew Van and Combi) is based on the 150hp version with automatic gearbox. A six speed manual gearbox is also available, and currently L2H2 Vans and Platform Cab versions are only available with this transmission.

“The passion that we have for the product, and the services that back up that product. It’s the look, it’s the appeal, it’s the flexibility, it’s the support that we

bring to this part of the market that we have never been in before. That’s what we bring to the table amidst a whole plethora of other things,” concluded Grahame.

LAUNCH PAD | 35 Renault Trucks new 1-tonne LCV offering - the Trafic Red Edition