The latest and most advanced van from Renault, the Renault Trafic is a durable, work- ready unit in a comfort-focused and beautifully finished package – just like WTW’s editor, who was thrilled to be offered a drive.
Tradie vehicles work hard and need to be tough. They need to offer a high level of utility and, too often ignored in previous generations, they also need to be comfortable. A worker fatigued by struggling with a heavy vehicle and poor driving conditions is hardly going to be in shape to offer his or her best on a job when he gets to the site.
Renault’s invitation to give New Renault Trafic a workout was too good to miss. On paper it looked as though it had just about every important aspect of a working vehicle covered. It runs a robust, efficient, 2.0-litre dCi diesel paired with efficiency-enhancing six-speed manual or six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission, there’s 125kW of grunt on tap, and fuel consumption can be as low 6.5L/100km. An 80-litre fuel tank means less time at bowsers and more time on the job, and up to 5 capped-price services at intervals of 30,000km or 12 months means running costs can be fairly accurately forecast – and 30,000km service intervals is a huge plus for the Renault. It means an absolute minimum of downtime.
As far as size goes, a choice of short (3098mm) or long (3498mm) wheelbase models with class-leading load length up to 4.15m, up to 1280kg payload and 2.5- tonne towing should have just about every trade covered.
New Trafic is also available in Pro and Premium Van spec levels, and Pro and Lifestyle Crew Van choices.
As I stood outside Renault Australia, gazing wistfully at the six or seven vans in different spec and colours basking in the Sydney sun, I couldn’t help but be impressed…and not just because I’d been handed a superb cappuccino, straight from the coffee van – a kitted-out Trafic, naturally.
Real world
Renault Australia backed its product in the best possible way. Instead of driving to a flash restaurant nearby for copious amounts of expensive food and alcohol, a schedule of tasks had been prepared, designed to give an idea of a typical tradie’s or worker’s day.
It started with each van’s co-drivers having to load some sugar-cane mulch into a tub, load the tub into the van, secure it, then drive to an address and do some parking and manoeuvre around some witch’s hats. The vans were pulled over several times and Renault staff photographed the amount of cane-mulch spillage.
After backing into, and driving around, some very tightly spaced traffic cones to register a time, it was back on the road for more navigation to arrive at a building business. The owner described how his three Trafic vans had done, and were doing, amazing service, carting tools and building materials up and down the Australian east coast.
It was a very impressive recommendation.
After once again having the loads checked and photographed, the hungry, thirsty drivers made their way to a very flash restaurant on the NSW central coast. In keeping with tradition, the restaurant did provide copious amounts of high-class cuisine and a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, and the superb handling of the WTW van was acknowledged when the pics showed the WTW unit had spilled the least mulch.
Unfortunately, due to climate change, or perhaps the hole in the ozone layer, or maybe some inattention to detail from the drivers, a few traffic cones were crushed…maybe a couple of times on one particular section.
So WTW was bumped out of the podium positions (dammit!).
A real pleasure
The fun aspect of the test drive was a nice touch, but it also served to underline a few important aspects of the Renault’s performance.
For starters it’s extremely comfortable for the driver. The seating is good, with plenty of adjustment, and the vision around the van from the driver’s position is excellent. That’s helped by both the newly redesigned front-end incorporating signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights, a sleeker bumper, and a new horizontal bonnet, but also by an 8.0-inch Easy Link multi-media touchscreen which makes the reversing camera a breeze to use – even for aging editors squinting through their scratched-up specs. All variants feature a 4.2″ TFT, full- colour display instrument panel, which is, again, very easy on the eyes, and Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM connectivity are part of the deal, naturally.
The availability of Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Emergency Braking System (AEBS) is very welcome, and the bulkhead separating the cabin from the cargo area was not only great protection for driver and passenger, but made the cabin exceptionally quiet.
In general, the standard of safety equipment is very high on New Trafic, and exceptional comfort, and the resulting low levels of driver fatigue, were huge and very noticeable assets.
Smooth operator
The EDC automatic transmission was unbelievably smooth. It was difficult to pick a ratio change, even with the engine under load, and as the flathead fillets settled on the little pastry snacks we’d enjoyed at lunch, the fuss-free, ultra-quiet and seamless performance of the drive train was very much appreciated – as it would be on a long, tough day of deliveries or transporting tools and materials to one or more work sites.
All versions of New Trafic are front-wheel drive, and Premium models feature the latest fuel-saving Stop & Start functionality. We can’t pretend we loved the Stop & Start function – where the motor ‘shuts down’ while the van is stationary – but we figure we’d soon get used to it, and we bet for drivers doing a lot of stop-start driving it would make an appreciable difference in fuel consumption.
At the price of diesel at the moment, that’s a big consideration.
Choice, bro
Available in three equipment grades, two lengths and in Van or Crew body styles, New Trafic combines its traditional offering of long- and short-wheelbase variants with the availability of Lifestyle, Pro and Premium trim levels. A long-wheelbase Crew van version available in Pro and Lifestyle trim levels adds even more versatility and usability, as does the availability of the six-speed EDC automatic transmission.
In total, there’s a choice of eight versions, and a big list of options to customise New Trafic as desired. It’d have to be a gift to owners wanting to set up the vehicle for a specific task. It was beautifully demonstrated by the super-trick set up of Joe’s coffee van – which we mentioned earlier – and equally by the vans in service with the central coast builder. Two very different applications and rigs, worlds apart in their uses, but two equally satisfied and happy customers.
With significant advancements in quality, efficiency and safety, New Trafic builds on the strengths that have made it such a success locally, with Australia the largest market outside of Europe.
New Trafic is available to order now, priced from $48,200 plus on-road costs.
Fast facts
- New Trafic is available in Australia in three equipment grades, two wheelbase lengths and in Van or Crew body styles
- All models feature the 2.0L turbo diesel powertrain, delivering 125kW of power, with a choice of six- speed manual or six-speed EDC transmissions
- All versions are front-wheel drive
- Available from $48,200 plus ORC. New Trafic Premium starts at $53,200 plus ORC. New Trafic Lifestyle is priced from $62,200 plus ORC
- Standard safety features include AEBS (Active Emergency Braking System), cruise control with speed limiter, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with Hill Start Assist and Grip Xtend, plus ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution). Dusk- sensing headlights join a full suite of airbags which sees driver, passenger as well as side and curtain airbags as standard on every New Trafic.
For detailed information and pricing head to renault.com.au or drop in to a dealer.