Arriving four years after the panel van variant, the passenger Trafic is expected to provide seating for nine.
Trafic Passenger will debut in July, four years after the panel van variant. Picture: Renault
Having debuted the panel van variant as far back as 2022, Renault South Africa has announced an official launch date for the passenger version of the Trafic van.
What to expect?
Currently in its third generation, the Trafic is still one of Renault’s oldest global models, having been on sale in Europe since 2014.
Marketed under the Renault badge, as well as Nissan and Opel/Vauxhall, the passenger version is likely to provide seating for nine, although unlike on the Old Continent, without the long wheelbase bodystyle option.
In its most basic or standard wheelbase form, the Trafic has the following dimensions:
- Length: 5 080 mm;
- Wheelbase: 3 098 mm;
- Height: 1 973 mm;
- Width: 2 312 mm
Likely spec
Set to rival the Hyundai Staria, Toyota Quantum, Ford Tourneo, its Volkswagen Transporter twin, Opel Zafira and lower-spec versions of the Mercedes-Benz Vito, final specification of the Trafic hasn’t yet been approved.
However, based on details from Renault UK, and indeed the panel van, expect it to have the following:
- 17-inch alloy wheels;
- LED headlights;
- folding electric mirrors;
- rain sense wipers;
- imitation leather upholstery;
- dual-zone climate control;
- push-button start;
- keyless entry;
- multi-function steering wheel;
- seven-inch TFT instrument cluster display;
- eight-inch infotainment system;
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
On the safety and driver assistance side, expect the Trafic to have the following:
- cruise control;
- tyre pressure monitor;
- rear parking sensors;
- reverse camera;
- Auto High Beam Assist;
- Electronic Stability Programme;
- Hill Start Assist;
- Automatic Emergency Braking;
- Lane Departure Warning;
- Driver Attention Alert;
- Traffic Sign Recognition
Diesel, auto combo?
Up front, the Trafic passenger is likely to have the same engine as the panel van, namely a 2.0 dCi that produces 125kW/380Nm.
However, while the latter has a six-speed manual gearbox, the passenger van could potentially swap this for a nine-speed automatic as in the UK.
Arriving soon
For the moment, nothing else is known as full details will only be announced at the Trafic’s launch on 22 July.
As a reminder, expect it to also come with a substantially higher price tag than the panel van‘s current R635 999 sticker.
