Renault boosts power for entry-level Trafic

RENAULT Australia has given its entry-level 1.6-litre single-turbo diesel engine a 29 per cent boost in power and 15 per cent increase in torque, while offering a limited driveaway price of $34,490 until the end of the financial year.

The short-wheelbase L1H1 dCi90 variant has increased power and torque by 19kW/40Nm from 66kW/260Nm to 85kW/300Nm, while fuel consumption has also risen from 6.2 litres per 100km to 6.6L/100km.

When the new Trafic was introduced in mid-2015, engine displacement was reduced from 2.0 litres to 1.6, and power and torque dropped from 85kW/290Nm in the outgoing engine.

With the introduction of the more potent 1.6-litre turbo diesel, power is back up to match the old 2.0-litre unit, while an extra 10Nm of torque is now available.

Driveaway pricing of $34,490 will last until the end of June, at which point it will be offered from $34,990 before on-road costs, representing a $1000 increase over the less powerful version it replaces.

Maximum braked towing capacity remains unchanged at 2000kg, as does the Trafic’s payload of 1235kg.

The sole transmission option remains a six-speed manual, which is employed across the range.

Other Trafic variants are powered by a more potent twin-turbo version of the same engine that makes 103kW/340Nm, and is offered in short and long-wheelbase form.

Renault LCV senior model line manager Lyndon Healey said that the low operating costs of the Trafic made it an attractive option for prospective buyers.

“The Trafic is a great choice for savvy business users who know that purchase price is not the best indicator of the real cost of ownership,” he said.

“It’s over the long term that Trafic’s extended service intervals, capped-price service costs, excellent reliability and strong resale values really make it the stand-out choice.

“This new 85kW engine for the Trafic improves driveability and with its very attractive drive away price it’s now an even better option for anyone looking for a mid-size van that’s easy, safe and fun to drive. And like every other Trafic, it’s comfortable, quiet and of course has a very practical load-space and high payload.”Renault has sold 520 examples of the Trafic in the first four months of 2107, down 9.4 per cent on the 574 sales registered in the same period last year.

This places it fourth in the 2.5-3.5 tonne van segment, behind the ageing Toyota HiAce (2188), Hyundai iLoad (2130) and Volkswagen Transporter (556), and ahead of the Ford Transit Custom (328) and Mercedes-Benz Vito (320).