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Few vans in recent years have made such an impression
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as Renault's Traffic. Along with its stable mate, the Vauxhall Vivaro, it has redefined what should be expected from an light CV.
In 2001 when it first broke cover, the impact was sizeable, due in part to the way it looked but, more relevantly, to the way it went. Here was a van that drove like a car with an engine that didn't feel as if it wanted to be somewhere else, as well as a generous, well proportioned and easily accessible load area.
But now it's 2008 and in the intervening seven years, pretty much every rival manufacturer has introduced fresh models to their line-ups.
Granted. the Trafic had a makeover in 2006. The 1.9-litre powerplant made way for a 2.0-litre unit tuned to 90hp and 115hp — both with a six-speed box — and the 2.5 received a power hike from 133hp to 150hp. Subtle exterior revisions and updated cabin completed the update — so does it still retain those qualities that gained the original so many admirers?
We tested the 2.0-litre 115hp short-wheelbase, low-roof variant. There are long and high configuration options respectively, while crew and chassis-cabs are also available.
Standard equipment includes ABS with EBD and EBA, remote central locking with deadlock, alarm and immobiliser and CD/radio. Prices start at £13,950. Renault's impressive Quickshift6 six-speed, semi-automatic transmission, which is claimed to increase fuel economy by 8%, along with satellite-navigation, air-conditioning and rear-parking sensors, are among the options available.
Productivity While the 2.0-litre engine brings more power and torque than its 1.9 predecessor, we didn't expect fuel economy to be adversely affected.
This revised unit has also received such extravagances as Bosch piezo-electric injectors and improved valve control. so we were hoping for good news. Our laden run produced 33.3mpg, which sits somewhere in the middle of the
competition, though the two sets of congested temporary lights no doubt had a negative effect on the result, while unladen saw a slight increase in performance to 35.6mpg.
Load volume checks in at 5.0m3, while payload is 1,092kg. That's not particularly outrageous, but the flat sidewalls and low loading level help users to make the most of what's available.
Access to the loadbay is through the nearside sliding and twin rear doors, all operated by oversized handles that are practical in design and easy to use. The back doors can be widened a further 900 at the pull of a well designed release latch.
There are six tie-down points to secure the load, and our test vehicle was fitted with optional ply lining on the floor and inner wall.
Special mention should also be given to the rear plastic bumpers with recessed lights that run up the side corners of the Trafic. Welcomed as being both highly innovative and practical on launch, their design in helping to absorb any low-speed wayward knocks still hasn't been bettered by the competition.
On the road
Let's all pause for a moment and consider the Trafic's
OW/ 2,770kg exterior design. Yes, we have to agree, it still looks stylish GCW 4,770kg and individual without being gimmicky: a real testament to Front axle 1,450kg the original shape.
Rear axle 1,550kg The beauty is more than skin deep, too, as the Renault continues to display the same poise on the move that originally had us heaping on the praise.
That is down to several key factors. The chassis and suspension are near perfect in their balance of road holding and compliance, due in part to the front suspension's separate sub-frame arrangement. It absorbs most
Fact file: road conditions without complaint, and keeps the Trafic composed when fully loaded, or Kerb weight 1,688kg in difficult driving conditions.
Net payload 1,092kg This is further enhanced by the engine Load area 5.0m3 which continues to display impeccable *With 75kg driver power delivery, building its urge
progressively and smoothly to the redline — a welcome characteristic on long or varied journeys.
And the same goes for the steering, which is well weighted and accurate. However, low-speed manoeuvres needed a bit of extra effort, due to a degree of undert assistance.
The same could also be said of the brakes. They felt slow to react and
the pedal was a little mushy at high 1:4 speed, particularly under load. But It
these criticisms can't detract from what is arguably still the best driving van on the road — an honour we don't bestow lightly.
Cab comfort
Due to its tilt towards passenger-vehicle design— all smooth edges and neutral colouring — the Trafic was considered revolutionary at its launch. Today, the interior still manages to maintain the effective ergonomic layout, but its acclaimed simplicity has now become a little dated.
The controls are easy to navigate with clearly legible dials and well positioned stalks, as are the secondary switches, such as the heater adjustments. The driving position, again a real advance when the Trafic first came out, remains sound. There's plenty of adjustment from the variablereach steering wheel and firm but comfortable seat — even if a little more lateral support would be welcome.
Visibility is good, and there's plenty of indication of where the sloping bonnet ends, while generous wing mirrors provide decent rear views — even of the blind spot.
Cabin storage, however, reveals no innovative or individual touches to distinguish it as being more than average. Granted, there are door bins, a glovebox and cup-holders. But aside from the curry hook on the passenger's side, options seem a little limited. Where, for instance, is the flip-up A4 holder, the fold-down clipboard or second power socket to run laptops?
When this aspect is stacked up against what the competition offers, the Trafic does begin to reveal its age. Yet it doesn't put too much of a dent in the overall standing of the interior, not least because the Trafic is so refined on the move. There's excellent insulation from road and wind noise, while the build quality is commendably tight and rattle-free, matching well with the ride to instil a feeling of real security. •