Sector: Mid-weight van Price: €22,000–€32,000 Fuel: from 5.7l/100km CO2: from 155g/km

Renault’s mid-weight Trafic van has been a huge success across Europe, so changes to the formula have had to be well thought out. Engine capacity has dropped, from 2.0 litres to a range of four 1.6-litre motors, though maximum power has risen to 140hp, from a twin-turbo version.

Fuel consumption and emissions levels have improved too, with the dCi 120 twin-turbo engine offering a claimed 5.7l/100km and CO2 emissions as low as 155g/km.

This certainly hasn’t been at the expense of driveability however, as both the single- and twin-turbo engines deliver strong torque outputs that easily pull a half laden Trafic. All models drive through a slick six-speed manual gearbox, with no option for an automated manual yet on the smaller engines. Renault admits that it is working on this though.

Both L1 and L2 versions of the van have been extended by 21cm overall, shared between additional cabin space and a longer load bay that now accommodates three Euro pallets in either version. An optional load-through flap in the steel bulkhead allows longer loads to extend through below the passenger seat, with a second flap in the front of the seat base permitting loads into the passenger footwell. This gives the L1 Trafic a maximum load length of 3.75m and the L2 a load length of up to 4.15m, with load volumes now ranging from 5.2m3 on the L1H1 model to 8.6m3 for the L2H2.

There are big changes in the cab, with no less than 14 storage areas offering a total of

90 litres of space. DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity are standard and the van will be offered with a range of infotainment solutions including sat-nav and Renault’s R-Link multimedia system.

Trafic will be the first Renault van to get R & GO, an Android/iOS application that allows tablets and smartphones to connect automatically to the vehicle’s radio system. With cradles available for most phones and tablets, R & GO allows the devices to be used as independent navigation systems and to interact with the van’s radio.

Designed to work as a mobile office, Trafic now comes with a laptop table built into the back of the central passenger seat, first seen on the larger Master van, that can be turned to face the driver or the passenger. As well as panel vans, Renault will offer a Snoeks crew van with rear seating for three on both the L1 and L2 vans. There are also full passenger carrying versions with seating for up to nine people plus 550 litres or 890 litres of luggage in the L1 and L2 versions respectively.

All Trafic models now come as standard with ESC stability control, incorporating Grip Xtend, Hill Start Assist and Trailer Swing Assist systems. A reversing camera is available as an option and the vans come with a wide view mirror mounted on the passenger sun blind to remove the blindspot to the offside of the vehicle when reversing.

A range of trim levels will be offered, depending on country.

Verdict:

With more carrying capacity, improved specifications and reduced ownership costs, Renault’s new Trafic looks set to carry on as a European market leader.