2020 Renault Trafic does an excellent job
The life of a courier driver is a very tough one, they easily rack up a few hundred kilometres a day having woken way before dawn. They’re also regularly verballed by impatient customers who tend to shoot the messenger. But if this job is your go, why not do it in comfort in the Renault Trafic Short-Wheelbase (SWB), which now comes with an Efficient Dual Clutch automatic transmission (EDC).
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The new auto is in fact borrowed from the Megane Renault Sport. It takes a few minutes to get used to driving what is a fairly large vehicle, but the gearbox is slick and quick, giving this commercial vehicle from Group 1 Renault better drivability.
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First thing - the centre armrest to my left, basically like what you’d find on a plane. It can go up and down and would be a perfect way to claim your "space" away from the apprentice tradie onboard.
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Visibility is excellent from your own elevated throne. The windscreen is wide but steeply raked. Behind the front three seats is a bulkhead that has a narrow window. That gives you the ability to have a good view out of the rear barn doors. Of course, that depends on how much you’re actually carrying.
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The side mirrors have a lower magnified section to help with blind spots, there are an auto-dimming rear mirror and a pleasant, colourful infotainment system. The auto is paired exclusively with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.
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Straight away it is obvious the power and torque balance are in the right groove, thanks to 125kW at 3500rpm and 380Nm of torque at a low 1500rpm.
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The Renault Trafic has a payload of 1250kg, but the manual can cope with up to 1274kg, plus can tow up to two tonnes.
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The Trafic SWB has 5.2 – 6m3 of load space. Perfect for a forklift to place a pallet that will fit between the rear wheel arches.
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It’s a good looker, for a van. The new Renault C-shaped LED daytime running lights, as with all new Renault SUV’s are a standout while the logo is bolder and bigger. Driving at night is now much safer with auto LED headlights, they’re 50 per cent brighter on high beam or 20 per cent when dipped.
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The cabin is clearly hard-wearing, but you never feel like you’re driving a tractor. There’s also a mobile phone holder. To keep you safe there are front and lateral curtain airbags standard across the range.
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The infotainment system is running Renault’s Media Nav Evolution. It supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. If this is your mobile office, you’re going to need storage. The brand claims all up there’s 90-litres of space. There are plenty of spots to hide things, even the centre seat can be folded down allowing for a laptop or clipboard to be angled your way.
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The rear cargo bay has new LED bulbs that offer 500 lumens, so you’ll find the 18 tie-down points much more easily.
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All Trafics come with a three-year/unlimited km factory warranty. You can extend that to five years/160,000km by forking out some extra cash.
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Servicing intervals are huge at 30,000km or once a year. Renault also provides Roadside Assistance for up to four years.
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The Renault Trafic SWB with EDC is easy to manoeuvre with a spritely engine. It’s also a very comfortable mobile office space.
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Article from https://eftm.com/2020/03/2020-renault-trafic-delivers-the-goods-with-new-auto-variant-73047
