Renault Trafic 2016 Long Term Test

Renault Trafic L1H1 SWB 103kW van
Long Term Test (introduction)

Commercial vans are big business, and the bigger they are the bigger they sell. Whether it's couriers, tradesmen, small businesses or weekend warriors, Australians are flocking to commercial vans in large numbers because of the security, economy, safety, performance, refinement and car-like accommodation the latest models deliver. One of the most popular van segments is the mid-size (2.5-3.5-tonne) class, which Toyota's HiAce has long dominated. But closing the gap is Hyundai's iLOAD and the third best seller last year was Renault's new Trafic, which slots in between the Kangoo and Master. We're testing it here in popular short-wheelbase twin-turbo form.

In case you haven't noticed, Renault's latest Trafic is causing quite a stir. Maybe it's the vivid paint colours -- 10 bright hues are on offer, including the new Copper Brown (pictured here), Panorama Blue, Stone, Mercury, Jet Black and Oyster Grey metallic colours, and Storm Grey, Glacier White, Bambo Green and Laser Red solid colours (the latter two also new) – but they seem to be everywhere.

Launched Down Under last May, the first French-built Trafic arrives here with a snazzy new look, new dimensions, two wheelbases, a host of new equipment and new 1.6-litre four-cylinder common-rail diesel engines – the 66kW single-turbo dCi 90 and the twin-turbo 103kW dCi 140 tested here.

That might sound underdone, but with a healthy 340Nm of torque on tap from just 1500rpm (the dCi 90 offers 260Nm at the same revs) and a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission – the only gearbox available at this stage -- the biturbo Trafic is no slouch.

Renault claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 10.8 seconds, which is quick as most small cars, but this big, bright French van feels much quicker than that. Indeed, riding the solid surge of midrange grunt on the open road is as satisfying as rowing the dash-mounted short-throw manual shifter around town.

First gear is a little tall for super-slow car park crawling, but there's enough low-down torque to make stalling a rarity, and the upside is a top (sixth) ratio that's tall enough to spin the engine at only around 1000rpm at 100km/h.

The result is outstandingly low fuel consumption. Aided by a fuel-saving idle-stop function called Stop & Start in Renault-speak (standard in the dCi 140 Energy model tested here), claimed efficiency is just 6.2L/100km in Australian variants.

That's more than 2.0L/100km less than its 2.0-litre diesel predecessor and better than many vans in this class. Unlike many claimed fuel economy figures, it's also achievable in the real world, with 7.2L/100km showing on the clock after our first few weeks of motoring.

We'll report back on how that progresses as our 3000km-old Trafic runs in, and we'll also put the Trafic to every use we can think of, including the obligatory moving house for a mate, tip runs, Ikea missions and pushbike transport, plus rural chores like carting firewood, gravel and green waste.

But like the succession of dual-cab utes that have passed through our hands in recent years, its main task will the transporting a couple of dirt bikes and all their associated paraphernalia around the country for various flat track race meetings.

It will be a tough gig and we won't be going easy on the chocolate-brown Parisian van, but before we sign off on our first long-term update here's a few more spec details on the latest Trafic.

Three models are available, with the 66kW short-wheelbase (dCi 90 L1 H1 SWB) opening range at $34,490 plus on-road costs and the 103kW short-wheelbase (dCi 140 L1H1 SWB 103kW tested here) priced at $37,990 and the top-shelf 103kW long-wheelbase (L2H1 LWB 103kW) costing $39,490 plus ORCs.

Renault – Europe's top-selling light commercial vehicle brand -- says maximum load lengths of 3.75 metres (SWB) and 4.15 metres (LWB) set new benchmarks in the segment, with the two lengths boasting internal volumes of 5.2 and 6.0 cubic metres.

Payloads begin at 1235kg for the short-wheelbase Trafic and top out at 1274kg for the long-wheelbase dCi 140. Towing capacity is 2000kg.

Distinguished by a faster windscreen and bold new front-end with slimmer headlights and large grille and Renault diamond logo (but continuing the Trafic's trademark roof bulge over the cab), the MkIII Trafic bring 100mm longer front and 110mm longer rear overhangs, while the bulkhead is moved 30mm back to increase cabin space.

Within it, the Trafic’s cab has received a significant lift. New seating is delivers more comfort, while the revised MPV-style ergonomics and a total of 14 cabin storage options provide a combined total of 90 litres of space.

As standard, the entry-level 66kW dCi 90 model comes with twin front and side curtain airbags (from January production, plus a phone docking module), stability control, Grip Xtend traction control, hill start assist, rear parking sensors and Bluetooth audio/telephony and a three-person bench seat.

Both 140kW dCi 140 twin-turbo models get all those features plus a folding centre passenger seat with A4 clipboard and 54 litres of under-seat storage, plus auto lights and wipers, a steel bulkhead with load-through flap, retractable tablet bracket, leather steering wheel and a reversing camera.

Renault Australia offers a host of option packs, including a $1290 Pro Pack for the base model, comprising wide-view mirror and full-height plywood cargo liner.

From January production, the Pro Pack was replaced by a more luxurious range-topping Lifestyle Pack for twin-turbo models, which for $2990 adds a wide-view mirror, deadlocking, Media Nav, climate-control, keyless entry/start, heavy-duty battery, LED ceiling lights, premium dashboard, heated seats, body-colour bumpers and mirror backs, rear light pillar and sliding door rail, 17-inch Cyclade alloy wheels, and a chrome grille with gloss black Renault diamond logo. The Lifestyle Pack is priced at $2990.

For the first time on the single-turbo entry model, there's also a Premium Pack (as fitted to our pre-January build dCi 140 press vehicle, including climate-control, MediaNav 7.0-inch colour touch-screen infotainment, 17-inch Cyclade alloy wheels, Java cloth seat trim, chrome and gloss-black cabin highlights and heated seats.

The Trafic comes with a 36-month/200,000km warranty, three years of roadside assist and three capped-price services pegged at $349 per calendar year (service intervals are annual or every 30,000km, whichever comes first).

2016 Renault Trafic dCi 140 pricing and specifications:
Price: $37,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder
Output: 103kW/340Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

Also consider:
>> Ford Transit (from $37,490)
>> Hyundai iLOAD (from $31,990)
>> Toyota HiAce (from $32,990)