Published: Commercial Motor, 24 Jan 2002
Trusty Traficby: Kevin Swallow
A mid-sized van has to be versatile without the awkwardness sometimes associated with its larger cousins. Tradesmen need vehicles to house tools, sarnies and flasks; parcels operators need fast, flexible transport - even HGV specialists can use tiddlers for those rush jobs. These days the mid-size van sector is saturated with options.
Renault's 2.7-tonne Trafic certainly looks capable, but has it got what it takes to break away from the pack?
Verdict
The Trafic's aerodynamic design alone is enough to excite a jaded roadtester because it does stand out from the crowd. Time will tell if van operators will love or hate the new look, but it's functionality and productivity that counts, and potential buyers need only look at the statistics: the Trafic has a very competitive fuel figure, didn't drag its heels around the test route and carries a decent payload.
It's not all sweetness and light, of course: beanpole drivers will struggle with the seating posittion if they try to sit upright, and the steering wheel posittion is not versatile enough to avoid obscuring the dials. but those small gripes aside, this vehicle is bound to enhance the renaissance of the Renault range.
Vehicle Specifications
Renault Trafic 1.9 dCi 80
| Fuel Consumption: | 36.2mpg(7.8lit/100km) |
| Average speed: | 68.8km/h |
| Gross weight as tested: | 2,700kg |
| Net payload: | 948kg |
| Load Space Volume: | 5.0m3 |
| Price as tested: | £11,995(ex-VAT) |
