Review: Renault X82 Trafic (2015-on)

Overview

Officially released in Australia in May 2015, the Renault X82 Trafic was a front-wheel drive van. Manufactured in Sandouville, France, the X82 Trafic was available in standard and long wheelbase bodies, L1 and L2, respectively. While the standard wheelbase Trafic was initially available with 1.6-litre turbo (dCi 90) or twin-turbo diesel (dCi 140) engines, the long wheelbase Trafic was solely available with the latter. In May 2017, however, the Trafic dCi 90 was replaced by the Trafic dCi 115. For all Trafic variants, six-speed manual transmissions were fitted as standard.

Inside, the Trafic had three seats: an adjustable driver’s seat and a dual passenger bench.

R9M turbo-diesel engines: dCi 90 and dCi 140

The Trafic dCi 90 was powered by Renault’s ‘R9M 408’ diesel engine which had a cast iron block, an aluminium alloy cylinder head, common-rail fuel injection, a low-inertia variable-geometry turbocharger, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, a diesel particulate filter, exhaust gas recirculation

The Trafic dCi 140, however, was powered by Renault’s ‘R9M 450’ diesel engine which differed in that it had two sequential turbochargers: a low-inertia turbocharger which operated at low engine speeds and a second turbocharger which took over at higher engine speeds. To reduce fuel consumption, the R9M 450 turbo-diesel engine also had:

• A ‘Stop & Start’ function which enabled the engine to shut down when the Trafic was stationary in traffic; and,
• A ‘regenerative braking’ function which increased alternator output when the vehicle was coasting or braking to recharge the battery.

The R9M engines were mated to Renault’s six-speed ‘MT6/ND’ manual transmission; the transmission included a ‘Hill Start Assist’ function.

Dimensions and specifications

The Renault X82 Trafic L1H1 was 4999 mm long, 1956 mm wide, 1971 mm tall and had a 3098 mm long wheelbase. Inside, maximum load length was 2537 mm, maximum load height was 1387 mm and the width between the wheel arches was 1268 mm; maximum cargo volume of 5.2 m³.

The X82 Trafic L1H2 differed in that it had a 400 mm longer wheelbase, load length and overall length. As a result, its maximum cargo volume was 6.0 m³and it was capable of carrying two pallets.

The Trafic dCi 90 did not have a bulkhead and was fitted with a glazed rear tailgate; in contrast, the Trafic dCi 140 had dual rear doors with 180 degree opening angles and a steel glazed bulkhead. For the Trafic dCi 140, there were flaps at the bottom of the bulkhead and beneath the front bench seat so that objects which were 3750 mm long (for L1 variants) or 4150 mm long (for L2 variants) could be transported

Maximum braked towing capacity for the Renault X82 Trafic was 2000 kg.

Suspension and steering

The Renault X82 Trafic had MacPherson-type front suspension with an anti-roll bar connected to the spring-damper assemblies via articulated mountings. The torsion beam rear suspension included pull rods, a Panhard rod, hydraulic rear shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.

The Renault X82 Trafic had rack-and-pinion, electric power-assisted steering.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Renault X82 Trafic included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

From January 2016 production, standard safety equipment for the Renault Trafic was extended to include front seat-mounted airbags which provided chest and head protection.

Brakes

The Renault X82 Trafic had 296 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs and 280 mm by 12 mm solid rear discs.

Features: Trafic dCi 90 and dCi 140

The Renault Trafic L1H1 dCi 90 had 16 x 6.0J steel wheels with 205/65 R16C tyres, a two speaker sound system with auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, black cloth seat upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, remote central locking, power adjustable and heated door mirrors, power front windows, a height and reach adjustable steering column, a height adjustable driver’s seat, a 12 volt power sockets (dashboard and cargo bay), trip computer and an immobiliser.

From January 2016 production, the Renault Trafic was fitted with a phone-docking module as standard.

The Trafic dCi 140 – both L1H1 and L2H1 variants – were further equipped with 16 x 6.0J steel wheels with 215/65 R16C tyres, an MP3-compatible CD player, rear vision camera, directional fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an electrochromatic rear view mirror.

The Trafic dCi 140 variants also had a ‘fold-down centre-seat workstation’ whereby the centre seat could be folded forward and an integrated seatback cover lifted up to provide a space for a laptop computer.

Options

As an extra-cost option, the X82 Trafic was offered with a ‘MEDIA NAV’ satellite navigation system which had a seven-inch touch screen display, used NAVTEQ mapping data, provided 2D and 3D maps, and was incorporated into the dashboard’s centre console.

2017 Renault Trafic Formula Edition

Released in Australia in May 2017, the Renault Trafic Formula Edition was powered by the dCi 140 engine and available in L1 or L2 bodies. Visually, the Trafic Formula Edition could be identified by its black-painted 17-inch ‘Cyclade’ wheels with yellow centre caps, body-coloured front bumper, black Renault bonnet badeg, yellow exterior highlights (for the upper and lower grille inserts, and fog lamp surrounds), ‘Formula Edition’ side stripes and anti-theft spare wheel holder. Furthermore, the Renault Trafic Formula Edition was available in Storm Grey or Jet Black paint finishes.

Inside, the Renault Trafic Formula Edition featured a dark ‘Java’ cloth upholstery, a heated driver’s seat, a ‘MediaNav’ navigation system with a seven-inch touchscreen, chrome instrument panel surrounds, gloss black side air-vent surrounds, a leather-trimmed gear selector with chrome-plated trim, chrome-plated speaker surrounds, LED ceiling lights and ‘Formula Edition’ floor mats.

Australian deliveries of the 2017 Renault Trafic Formula Edition were limited to 80 vehicles.

2018 Renault Trafic Formula Edition

The Renault Trafic Formula Edition returned to Australia in May 2018. Compared to the 2017 Renault Trafic Formula Edition, the 2018 model differed in that it had daytime running lights that were integrated into the front bumper. Australian deliveries of the 2018 Renault Trafic Formula Edition were limited to 125 vehicles.

Brochure

• Brochure: Renault X82 Trafic (May 2015)

Specifications

• Specifications – Features: Renault X82 Trafic (May 2015)
• Specifications – Technical: Renault X82 Trafic (May 2015)

Related links

• Renault Australia: Renault Trafic
• Wikipedia.org: Renault Trafic
• Euro NCAP: 2015 Renault Trafic crash testing