ROUGH TRADE
Page 59
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Do British operators want a one-tonne panel van with an off-road capability? Renault thinks so, with the new 4x4 Trafic.
in Renault believes that high prices are partly to blame for the small size of the four wheel drive panel van market in the UK.
For while sales of 4x4 pick-ups surged ahead a few years ago, few people have demanded a one-tonne payload panel van with 4x4 go-anywhere ability.
When Volkswagen launched its 4x4 Syncro version of the Transporter in January, it estimated that there is a UK demand for 100 similarly-sized 4x4 vans each year. It hoped to sell 100 Transporter Syncros in 1986 and looks set slightly to exceed that target.
Now Renault is entering the arena with its Trafic 4x4 — like the Syncro, a factory-produced vehicle rather than a conversion. Renault has a target of 100150 sales in the first year and is hoping that Trafic's simple, low-cost approach to 4x4 will win over people who previously ruled out four wheel drive panel vans as just too expensive.
The Trafic 4 x4 makes its public debut at next month's Motor Show but Renault let the ambulance services try it two weeks ago. It appears to offer what they need: a chassis that is practical and economical for everyday work but which can handle most likely off-road demands too. It also offers a fair amount of headroom (1,765rnm — 5ft 9in) because it is the long wheelbase, high roof version of the Trafic that is the basis for the 4x4.
Both engine options are also from the largest Trafic, the T1300. There is a 2,068cc naturally aspirated diesel that develops 43kW (60hp) and a 1,995cc petrol engine that produces 59kW (82hp).
As in the conventional Trafic front wheel drive is used on the road, but there is an additional prop-shaft emerging from the rear of the gearbox that takes the drive to the back axle to give a 50/50 front/rear drive split when required. Allwheel-drive is engaged by moving a lever at the right of the driver's seat. This can be done on the move, thanks, says Renault, to rubber Rotoflex couplings in the prop-shaft.
A large, orange warning light on the dashboard reminds the driver that four wheel drive is engaged. Differential locks are not available for either axle, underlining Renault's intention that the Trafic 4x4 should not be used in conditions extreme enough to demand diff locks.
Other factors also limit the van's offroad capability to moderate conditions. The gearbox and final drive ratios are the same as in the front wheel drive Trafic and, unlike the VW Transporter Syncro, there is no extra-low or crawler ratio in the five speed gearbox.
The suspension is from the standard T1300 (coil springs at the front, leaf springs at the rear) and the ride height is increased only by a barely discernable amount. The tyres too are normal road tyres but with a slightly greater section (195R14 instead of 175R14). The body shell has not been strengthened.
The only visual clues to the van's extra drive are the small 4x4 badges and the rear differential housing.
To clear the new drive train, the load platform has been raised by 125mm (5th) at the rear, tapering down at the front. The resultant reduction in the interior height brings the loadspace volume down from 7.8m3 (279ft3) to 7.1m3 (254ft3).
Both the petrol and diesel versions have a gross vehicle weight of 2.51 tonnes. Their kerb weights are 1,525kg and 1,575kg respectively, to give payload capacities of 985kg and 930kg. Renault says that even the diesel version can be made to scrape under the 1,525kg limit and so avoid the need for annual plating and testing.
In addition to the rear double doors (which go right up into the high roof) there is a nearside hinged side loading door as standard.
Driving the 4 x4 Trafic on a fairly mild, bone dry, cross-country course demonstrated the advantage of 4x4 without really proving the Trafic's ability as an off-roader. Using only front wheel drive, the unladen Trafic came to a halt on a short, steep, chalky climb; after engaging four wheel drive it managed to restart and claw its way to the top.
On a tougher, wetter course, lack of ground clearance and its standard road tyres are likely to be an embarassment. Lower ratios would also be needed, par ticularly in the case of the diesel version which has relatively modest torque and power output for a 2.5 tonner. To be fair, Renault is not promoting the 4x4 Trafic as a real mud-plugging, off-roader.
Where the Trafic 4 x4 does score is on price. Trafics have always been competitively priced, and the low cost allwheel-drive system adopted by Renault makes the 4x4 version look even more of a bargain. The petrol version is £8,175 and the diesel is £9,045, excluding VAT — at least £1,500 cheaper than Volkswagen's Transporter Syncro, depending on the models compared.
El By David Wilcox