2017 Renault Trafic Squad goes dual-purpose
Renault has given its tradie-trusted Trafic van a more family-friendly feel with a 2nd row of seats that takes the fresh Team variant capacity to six occupants including the driver, while leaving Four.0 cubic metres of cargo volume in the back and a 1060kg maximum payload.
The fresh version is based on the 103kW twin-turbo 1.6-litre diesel long-wheelbase Trafic but adds a 2nd row of three individual seats with utter three-point belts at a cost of Two.0 cubic meters of stream bay volume for $42,990 before on-road costs – an increase of $3500 over the equivalent three-seater.
In addition to all of the three-seater’s gear, the Squad gets glazed sliding doors for 2nd row occupants, a glazed bulkhead behind the extra seats, a pair of 49-litre storage boxes with extra pockets, a 12-volt socket and interior ending to match the front row.
The French maker is suggesting an equipment-boosted Premium Pack for the base Squad that adds 17-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers and exterior mirrors, as well as deadlocks, an 800-amp battery, upgraded multimedia system with 7.0-inch touchscreen, navigation and Arkamys stereo and heated driver’s seat.
Like higher-grade versions of the Trafic van, the $2490 Premium package also adds the ‘mobile office’ features that include a tablet holder and premium dashboard with laptop storage, but not the folding middle seat that converts into a desktop.
The Trafic has been a superb seller for Renault in Australia.
At the top of the Trafic Squad pile, a Lifestyle variant adds opening windows for the rear passengers, chrome grille highlights, a gloss black badge surround, a hands-free entry card (as found in many Renault passenger cars) and automatic climate control for $46,780.
With the extra seating and diminished flow area, Team variants can still accommodate items measuring up to 2423mm long, 1662mm broad and 1387mm in height.
All versions are sold with a standard six-speed manual gearbox with no automatic option at this stage, as is the case with the more stringently commercial van variants.
At the launch of the Trafic in May 2015, Renault said it would “work towards” an auto option, but the company is yet to expose if it is making progress with an automatic that would doubtless appeal to a broader audience in Australia.
Despite its self-serve transmission, the Trafic performed well in the Two.Five to Three.Five tonne van segment during 2016, finding one thousand seven hundred thirty buyers and sitting in fourth place behind the Toyota HiAce (7478), Hyundai iLoad (5467), and Volkswagen’s Transporter that finished last year with a tally of one thousand nine hundred sixty sales.
Renault light commercial vehicles senior model line manager Lyndon Healey said the company had been pleased with the Trafic since its introduction, and the fresh Squad options would further broaden its appeal.
“The Trafic has been a good seller for Renault in Australia,” he said. “The Trafic Team brings another level of functionality to what is already a very capable and increasingly popular alternative to more mainstream mid-size van offerings.”