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A vehicle with a strong and original design, the Renault Trafic will go on sale
in Australia in April 2004. The Trafic, which combines daring – a dynamic shape
– and strength, with generous protective features, is part of a movement which
breaks away from conventional light commercial vehicles now on the market.
Equipped with Renault’s new Common Rail engine, a 6-speed manual gearbox
developed from those offered in Laguna II, and levels of comfort among the best
in its class, the Trafic is set to become the new benchmark in its segment.
Renault, a global ambition in LCVs
At the end of 1997, at the time of the commercial launch of Kangoo and the
Master, Renault set itself the target of winning back the top slot in the
European light commercial vehicle market and laying the foundations for solid,
profitable expansion in the segment. This target was achieved in October 1998,
when Renault won back the leading position it had occupied for 12 years – from
1981 to 1993 – and which it has now confirmed.
The New Trafic was developed with General Motors Europe following a
collaborative agreement signed in December 1996. The “X83’’ is sold by Renault
as the Trafic and by GM as the Vivaro, while a Nissan version is also sold in
Europe.
Changing customer needs
Studies carried out by Renault in the compact van market have revealed a
changing pattern of needs among professional customers. Traditional requirements
have involved the extension of the range (payloads, wheelbases, heights, etc.)
and the possibility of making vehicles “to measure” (specially adapted bodies
which account for 25% of the market). The new and additional requirements
emerging from an ever more demanding professional customer base are bringing LCV
and passenger car requirements closer together. Individual operators, small
companies and large fleets all now expect complete control of operating and
maintenance costs, higher levels of comfort and safety, and attractive design.
A strong, expressive design created with the professional user in mind
With its strong, expressive look, the Trafic suggests dynamism, but also
strength, and its appearance marks a break with the conventional approach to
LCVs. Modern and daring with a plunging nose and taut lines, it conveys a
feeling of safety with wrap-around side protection mouldings and a solid bumper,
while taking into account the needs of professional users.
Access to the driving position, whose ergonomics were studied with particular
care to provide both space and efficiency, is made easier by the hump-roofed
cabin (known as the “Jumbo effect”), which does not affect the overall height.
Together with the width of the openings, with one sliding side door one metre
in width, the extra-low sill and the vertical sides of the vehicle provide a
cubical rear compartment, thus optimizing the load space. At the rear, the doors
open 180° while long wheelbase customers can option doors that can be opened
through 270° to lie against the body sides.
The vehicle was designed by Renault’s Corporate Design Department based at
the Technocentre, and developed by the engineering team of Renault's LCV unit at
Villiers St Frédéric in the Paris region.
A working tool adapted to every need
A rival to the Volkswagen Transporter, the front-driven SWB Ford Transit, and
the Mercedes Vito, the Trafic is offered in 4 specification levels, two
wheelbases and with a high roof long wheelbase to better meet the needs of
different users.
Designed for professional use, the Trafic boasts excellent dimensions. In the
L1H1 version, the van offers a load volume of 5m3, and a load space with a
length of 2.41m and an interior height of 1.38m. The L2H1 long version, offers a
load volume of 5.9m3 and an additional 40cm of load space length.
All versions of the Trafic offer a 1200kg payload capacity.
Clever provision of space inside
A true combination of daring design, spaciousness and accessibility, the
Trafic is equipped with a functional dashboard with multiple stowage spaces
adapted for professional use.
Similar to the dashboards of monospace models in its ergonomics, the Trafic
includes as standard:
- a hood to cover documents (invoices, delivery notes, etc.) to prevent them
from reflecting in the windscreen
- a height-adjustable steering wheel
- two shelves installed beneath the instrument panel and the glovebox
- four card-holders
- two cupholders
- a movable ashtray
- and an illuminated and cooled glovebox with optional air conditioning (able
to hold two 1.5-litre bottles)
For the sake of ergonomics, the gear lever projects from the dashboard –
making for easy walk-through access to the load area – and each front door
features a large stowage bin that can hold a 2-litre bottle.
A light commercial vehicle with the comfort features of a car
The Trafic offers many comfort features and has power assisted steering,
tinted glass, a single in-dash CD player and air recycling mode as standard.
In the area of vehicle security, special attention has been paid to the
design of the locks which resist tampering, the steering column, and the spare
wheel, secured in place by a coded latch. With the addition of an engine
immobilizer as standard equipment, the Trafic brings about peace-of-mind for
users, an essential feature for professional use.
A powerful and economical engine
From introduction, the New Trafic will be offered with the new 1.9 dCi engine
developing 74kW @ 3500rpm and 240Nm of torque @ 2000 rpm, with 200Nm available
from 1,500rpm, an indication of excellent flexibility at low speeds. Equipped
with common-rail direct injection, the turbodiesel engine improves power and
torque output while also reducing fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and operating
costs.
A 6-speed gearbox for ease of driving, lower fuel consumption and acoustic
comfort
The new Renault 6-speed manual gearbox, designated “PK6”, is fitted as
standard. The sixth speed brings several advantages. The wider spread of gear
ratios allows the potential of the diesel engine, with its high torque output at
low speeds, to be more efficiently exploited. The gear spacing allows engine
speeds to be reduced and the torque curve to be better exploited. The 6-speed
manual gearbox improves response in each of the intermediate ratios, while fuel
consumption and noise levels are reduced.
In addition to existing equipment and in order to optimize acoustic comfort,
a great deal of work has been carried out since the beginning of the project on
engine filtration. Superior sound insulation has been achieved in the engine
compartment, in the cabin, the head lining and particular architectural design
features.
Digital simulation was used throughout the vehicle's development to work on
structural dimensions and potential sources of noise. The soundproofing of the
roof and the positioning of ribs were also validated by digital simulation
(vibrational calculations).
All links between the suspension system and the body have also been fitted
with vibration filters in accordance both with acoustic and ground link
standards.
Safety among the best in its class
The Trafic satisfies one of the most ambitious design specifications in the
area of active safety. The vehicles are equipped with a front suspension which
ensures steering precision and ride comfort to compare with those of the best
monospace models on the market due to the use of an anti-roll bar with
articulated attachments directly to the spring/damper unit.
At the rear, the design of the torsion-tube axle located by trailing arms and
Panhard rod provides not only a compromise between comfort and dynamic
behaviour, but also effective filtration of the vibrations which create road
noise. The adoption of dampers with variable hydraulic setting according to load
(together with variable-rate springs) allows the ride/comfort pay-off between
the lightly and heavily loaded conditions to be optimized.
All versions of the Trafic are equipped with four disc brakes. At the front,
these are ventilated (305mm x 28mm) and are provided with twin-piston calipers
with diameters of 40 and 45mm. At the rear, the discs (285mm x 12mm) have
calipers equipped with automatic clearance adjustment.
This efficient and fade-resistant braking system, combined with an optional
ABS-EBA system with electronic control of braking effort distribution as
standard equipment, establishes the vehicle as a benchmark in the compact van
class.
The vehicle’s structure was also designed to withstand frontal impact at
64kph rather than the 56kph called for in the European legislation covering
passenger cars. The New Trafic has programmed deformation zones in addition to a
galvanized high-strength steel structure and generous external protection
features.
Features
| Version |
Base |
Air |
Comfort |
Integral |
| Variations |
| |
Short Wheelbase Low Roof (L1H1) |
$ 33,490* |
$ 36,290* |
$ 37,390* |
$ 39,690* |
| |
Long Wheelbase Low Roof (L2H1) |
$ 35,490* |
$ 38,290* |
$ 39,390* |
$ 41,690* |
| |
Long Wheelbase High Roof (L2H2) |
$ 37,490* |
$ 40,290* |
$ 41,390* |
$ 43,690* |
| Safety Features |
| |
Driver Front Airbag |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Power Assisted Steering |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Rear View Mirror |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Height Adjustable Driver's Seat |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
ABS with EBA |
- |
- |
- |
std |
| |
Passenger Airbag |
- |
- |
- |
std |
| Comfort &
Convenience |
| |
15W Single-CD RDS Radio with Fingertip Remote Control |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Heat Reflecting Windscreen |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Single Fixed Passenger Seat |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Tinted windows |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Door Pockets |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Four Card/Coin Holder |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Glove box capable of holding two 1.5 litre bottles |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Air Conditioning |
- |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Glove box cooled |
- |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Electric Windows and Electric Door Mirrors |
- |
- |
std |
std |
| |
Remote Central Locking |
- |
- |
std |
std |
| |
Two shelves beneath instrument panel and glove box |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Two cup holders |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Dashboard Mounted Gearbox |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Manual Gearbox (6 speeds) |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| Loading Area |
| |
Interior Lightning |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Adjustable Side Anchorage Points |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| Security Features |
| |
Engine Immobiliser |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| Exterior Features |
| |
Body Side Protection |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Side Impact Bars on Front Doors |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Side Loading Door (Left - Unglazed) |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Mini Hubcabs |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Internally Adjustable Door Mirrors |
std |
std |
Electric |
Electric |
| |
180° Opening Rear Doors (Glazed) |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| Trim |
| |
Tortella' Cloth Upholstery |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| Colours |
| |
Apollo White |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Desert Yellow |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Atlantic Blue |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Lightning Silver (Metallic Paint) |
Optional |
Optional |
Optional |
Optional |
| Warranty |
| |
Renault 24 hr Roadside Assistance |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| |
3 years or 100,000 km |
std |
std |
std |
std |
| Recommended retail price excluding on-road
costs |
| |
| Features |
| |
|
L1H1 |
L2H1 |
L2H2 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Volume |
|
5m³ |
5.8m³ |
8.36m³ |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Transmission |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Type |
6-speed |
6-speed |
6-speed |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Speed km/h at 1000
tr/min |
| |
1st speed |
6.332 |
6.332 |
6.332 |
| |
2nd speed |
13.134 |
13.134 |
13.134 |
| |
3rd speed |
21.166 |
21.166 |
21.166 |
| |
4th speed |
30.093 |
30.093 |
30.093 |
| |
5th speed |
38.829 |
38.829 |
38.829 |
| |
6th speed |
45.995 |
45.995 |
45.995 |
| Capacity |
| |
Fuel tank (l) |
90 |
90 |
90 |
| Steering |
| |
Turning circle between |
|
|
|
|
|
pavement / wall (m) |
11.84/12.4 |
13.17/13.73 |
13.17/13.73 |
| |
Turns lock-to-lock |
3.21 |
3.21 |
3.21 |
| |
Size of the wheel (mm) |
380 |
380 |
380 |
| Axle |
| |
Size of antiroll Front & Rear (mm) |
22/35 |
22/35 |
22/35 |
| Braking |
| |
ABS |
Optional |
Optional |
Optional |
| |
Diameter Servofrein |
9"+10" |
9"+10" |
9"+10" |
| |
Front: disks radius / diameter (mm) |
305/28 |
305/28 |
305/28 |
| |
Rear: disks radius / diameter (mm) |
280/12 |
280/12 |
280/12 |
| Weight (kg) |
| |
Unladen kerb vehicle weight (kg) |
1745 |
1794 |
1881 |
| |
Front: |
| |
Unladen kerb vehicle weight (kg) |
1112 |
1150 |
1176 |
| |
Rear: |
| |
Unladen kerb vehicle weight (kg) |
633 |
644 |
705 |
| |
Gross vehicle weight (kg) |
2965 |
3030 |
3015 |
| |
Front gross vehicle weight (kg) |
1550 |
1550 |
1580 |
| |
Rear gross vehicle weight (kg) |
1650 |
1650 |
1650 |
| |
Gross train weight (kg) |
4965 |
4940 |
5015 |
| |
Payload (kg) |
1200 |
1200 |
1200 |
| |
Towing weight braked (kg) |
|
(driver only) |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
| |
Towing weight unbraked (kg) |
|
(driver only) |
750 |
750 |
750 |
| Dimensions |
| |
Load platform length |
2400 |
2800 |
2800 |
| |
Wheelbase |
3098 |
3498 |
3498 |
| |
Overall length |
4782 |
5182 |
5182 |
| |
Overall length with doors open |
5503 |
5903 |
5903 |
| |
Platform height unladen |
543 |
542 |
548 |
| |
Height of rear opening |
1335 |
1335 |
1818 |
| |
Interior height |
1387 |
1387 |
1887 |
| |
Maximum exterior height |
1959 |
1958 |
2492 |
| |
Interior width between wheel arches |
1268 |
1268 |
1268 |
| |
Maximum interior width |
1904 |
1904 |
1904 |
| Engine |
| |
Type: Common Rail Turbo Diesel |
std |
std |
std |
| |
Capacity |
1870 cc |
1870 cc |
1870 cc |
| |
Valves |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| |
Max. power (kW) @ revs/min |
74 @3500 |
74 @3500 |
74 @3500 |
| |
Max. torque (Nm) @ revs/min |
240 @2000 |
240 @2000 |
240 @2000 |
| Fuel Consumption |
| |
Fuel Tank |
90 |
90 |
90 |
| |
Fuel consumption - Urban cycle |
8.9 |
8.9 |
8.9 |
| |
Fuel consumption - Combined cycle |
7.4 |
7.4 |
7.4 |
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