Renault's light commercial
range is on a roll. The French maker achieved significant success
across all three of its LCV lines last year and now it's hoping to
maintain the momentum with the latest iteration of its medium van, the Traffic
. Boasting new styling, new dimensions, new engines, more features and more space, the Traffic is available in three front-drive models, powered by either a single-turbo d Ci 90 (66kW/260Nm) or a twin-turbo Energy d Ci 140 (103kW/340Nm). Available only with a six-speed manual transmission,
Now the new Traffic is here, boasting a choice of new engines, new dimensions, new capacities and numerous improvements. Gone is the old 2.0-litre engine in favor of two new and frugal 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesels – the d Ci 90 and the Energy d Ci 140.
The former, with variable-geometry turbo, produces a claimed 66kW at 3500rpm and 260Nm at 1500rpm, while the latter – a twin turbo – pushes those numbers to 103kW and 340Nm. That gives a choice either side of the old engine, which produced 85kW and 290Nm, while Renault says the new power plants deliver fuel economy savings of 25 per cent, with a touted combined figure of just 6.2L/100km.There's plenty of adjustment on offer and vision is excellent, helped by slim A-pillars, a wide bulkhead window, quality side mirrors and a reversing camera. We didn't sample the optional Wide View Mirror, which turns the passenger's vanity mirror into a wide-angle view down the near side, reducing the van's blind spot.
The six-speed manual transmission may deter some but it's a sweet unit, shifting cleanly and smoothly, at at 100km/h in top gear the engine is ticking over at a lazy 1900rpm. Hill-hold assist is standard; it's just one of several safety features, including next-gen stability control with enhanced traction control, plus rollover mitigation and load-adaptive control. Optional curtain airbags can complement the standard driver and front passenger airbags.
