Renault reveals new Trafic cargo van

Wed, 19 Mar 2014

Head over to Europe and you're bound to see this van scurrying about. Only you might not recognize it. That's because this product of a joint venture between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and General Motors is sold under four different nameplates: by Vauxhall and Opel as the Vivaro, by Nissan as the Primastar and by Renault as the Trafic.

Since introducing the first-generation Trafic in 1980, Renault alone has sold over 1.6 million of them. The second generation arrived in 2001, and this is the third – or a facelifted version of the second, anyway. It features revised styling and updated equipment and will be offered in two lengths, two heights, a variety of cab configurations and a host of engine options to give commercial buyers a staggering array of 270 different combinations to choose from, including a new 1.6-liter diesel developed by Renault.

To supplement the manufacturing undetaken by GM in the UK and by Nissan in Spain, Renault will also handle assembly of the new van in France. Expect new versions of the Nissan Primastar and Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro to follow, but for now (if you happen to be interested in European vans) you can read about the new Renault Trafic in the press release below.

New Renault Trafic breaks cover
March 18, 2014

- This summer will see Renault refresh its Trafic range as it perpetuates the success story of one of its most popular models, with 1.6 million sales since 1980.
- This practical and economical 'Van à Vivre' will sport a new look both inside and out, while benefitting from clever smart innovations to facilitate the lives of business customers, as well as a new range of responsive engines.
- The vehicle will be available with a new Renault-developed 1.6 dCi powerplant, including a twin-turbocharged version that boasts fuel consumption of less than six litres per 100km.
- New Trafic is now built at the Sandouville factory, enabling Renault to rely upon no fewer than three production plants in France to manufacture the entirety of its European market-leading range.

Launched in 1980 to replace the equally illustrious Estafette, Renault Trafic has already achieved more than 1.6 million sales around the world. Moreover, in 2014, the Trafic story will continue with the third generation of the iconic vehicle debuting in some 50 countries globally.

New Trafic comes with a completely new exterior design. The front incorporates the bigger, more upright logo that is emblematic of Renault's new brand identity. Its stance is forceful and dynamic, while its wide, slender headlights give it an expressive look, and the more sloping windscreen results in a clear division with the bonnet. A wide and assertive air intake and a body-coloured trim strip between the two grilles produce a lighter feel. Sharper lines make the vehicle's silhouette more dynamic than before, whilst the sturdiness that Trafic customers have come to expect have been retained courtesy of a protective, wrap-around front bumper.

With New Trafic, Renault has capitalised upon its wealth of experience in the LCV segment to offer a genuine user-friendly van that is modern and comfortable, responding ever-more closely to the needs of customers and actively contributing to the success of their business.

New Trafic can be customised as required thanks to the outstanding diversity of its range which features 270 variants, two different heights, two different lengths, delivery van, crew-cab, platform cab and minibus versions, not to mention the solutions produced by our approved converters and Renault Tech.

New Trafic is both flexible and economical thanks to its new range of downsized, turbocharged engines. They are based upon the latest-generation, Renault-developed 1.6 dCi unit (R9M) and feature advanced technology to combine welcome fuel consumption savings with real driving enjoyment. This range is available in two versions: a single variable geometry turbo which yields a gain of more than one litre/100km and the Twin-Turbo version, the fuel consumption of which dips beneath the six litres/100km* threshold. These engines offer brisk pick-up and greater low-end torque for responsive acceleration, even when the vehicle is fully loaded.

New Trafic was developed by Renault's expert LCV engineers to be reliable and robust. It benefits from the knowledge and expertise of some 1,800 men and women at the Sandouville factory, which has hitherto focused on high-end passenger cars. To relocate the van's production to France, the factory underwent significant transformation work thanks to an investment of more than €230 million.

The Renault brand, Europe's number one LCV maker since 1998, consequently boasts a particularly competitive production set-up, with three factories in France that are responsible for assembling all the vehicles in its range, namely Kangoo at MCA (Maubeuge), Master at SOVAB (Batilly) and Trafic now at Sandouville.

By Noah Joseph