Renault Trafic 2008 News

Renault Trafic ad shows how 'K.I.T.T.' the new van can be for tradies.Renault is set to officially pull the covers off the new third-generation Trafic at the Paris motor show next month, but the French carmaker has given us a taste of the new light-commercial van's capabilities in a new recreation of the classic opening sequence of the 1980s David Hasselhoff TV classic Knight Rider. Cheekily titled TraficRider, the ad showcases the Trafic as a companion to everyday hero tradies, but the touchscreen multimedia interface is as close as the Trafic will get to K.I.T.T.'s sidekick-level artificial intelligence. There's no suggestion the Trafic can talk to its owner like K.I.T.T. did, but we'd love to see the grille scanner appear on the options list when the new model likely arrives early next year.

Over there, the van will also be sold as the Nissan Primastar as well as the Vauxhall and Opel Vivaro, but of all these models, only the Renault will come to Australia and it will be on sale here next year. Renault is saving much of the detail of its all-important load hauler, but says it features an all new interior and exterior design and will introduce a swag of new technology.To be built at Sandouville, France, the Trafic will be available with a new 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel with two turbochargers which help return a remarkable average fuel consumption figure of less than 6L/100km. There will also be a single turbo version of the same engine, which uses a variable geometry turbocharger.  It is not quite as efficient as the double-boosted unit but still uses 15 per cent less than the one it replaces.Renault says the new Trafic will be available in a wide range of body styles and there will be two different heights, two different lengths, a regular cargo van, passenger van and a cab-chassis ute.The third generation Trafic features a modern and masculine design that is not as out-there as some French designs.  It has a blunt nose with a deep grille for optimum cooling. The headlights stretch up and away from the grille and a design crease starts just beneath the wing mirror, drops down and then runs along the side of the van, rising up and over the rear wheel arch.Renault says the new van is more dynamic than ever before, with sharper lines. It adds that the new Trafic  retains the sturdy look of the existing machine thanks to a grey wrap-around plastic bumper that looks like it can take plenty of hard knocks. 

The Trafic has been a popular choice for vannies, notching more than 1.6 million sales in the past three decades.The image you see provides a preview glimpse of several of the forthcoming vehicle's features. "Its lines embody Renault's new brand identity with the aim of achieving a dynamic, assertive stance without sacrificing either the robustness or user-friendliness customers expect of their van.The third generation Trafic has focused on meeting the needs of business customers more closely than ever, by providing them with 'Innovation for a Better Life'.The appeal of the van produced by Europe's number one LCV manufacturer since 1998 is boosted by revised styling, new technologies and a range of new engines that benefit from Renault's expertise in the world of Formula 1 racing. 

An Australian company has promised a wheelchair conversion for vans and people movers that provides a “dignified approach” for passengers.Tysons sales manager Ryan Tyson said their Glide Rite wheelchair access system would not leave a wheelchair-bound person in full view of passing traffic.“Until now, anyone confined to a wheelchair suffered from difficult access to vehicles, or at best a very steep ramp,” he said.“They were also positioned in the back of vehicles, away from other passengers and either stuck up in the air on a platform, or down in a pit in the rear of the vehicle. It robbed them of dignity.”Glide Rite uses airbags to lower the vehicle and the floor. An access ramp also deploys to allow entry to the vehicle for manual and electric wheelchairs as well as mobility scooters.The passenger is not confined to the rear or in a lowered floor area.A low ramp angle and “soft-start” winch allow the carer to be with the wheelchair-bound passenger at all times and reduces the risks involved in high-lift transfers.The ramp folds into a dedicated area and cannot be seen from outside the vehicle.An alloy/honeycomb construction reduces the weight of components and the risk of injury to carers.The system is available for Mercedes Benz Vito Wagon and Vito XLWB, Renault Traffic and Master and is under development for the Volkswagen T5 van.Tysons is an Australian family business that has been converting vans for various uses for 30 years.The basic conversion cost for the fitted Glide Rite system is about $15,000, but most people spend around $28,000 having the whole interior fitted out with extra seating.

An Australian company has promised a wheelchair conversion for vans and people movers that provides a “dignified approach” for passengers.Tysons sales manager Ryan Tyson said their Glide Rite wheelchair access system would not leave a wheelchair-bound person in full view of passing traffic.“Until now, anyone confined to a wheelchair suffered from difficult access to vehicles, or at best a very steep ramp,” he said.“They were also positioned in the back of vehicles, away from other passengers and either stuck up in the air on a platform, or down in a pit in the rear of the vehicle. It robbed them of dignity.”Glide Rite uses airbags to lower the vehicle and the floor. An access ramp also deploys to allow entry to the vehicle for manual and electric wheelchairs as well as mobility scooters.The passenger is not confined to the rear or in a lowered floor area.A low ramp angle and “soft-start” winch allow the carer to be with the wheelchair-bound passenger at all times and reduces the risks involved in high-lift transfers.The ramp folds into a dedicated area and cannot be seen from outside the vehicle.An alloy/honeycomb construction reduces the weight of components and the risk of injury to carers.The system is available for Mercedes Benz Vito Wagon and Vito XLWB, Renault Traffic and Master and is under development for the Volkswagen T5 van.Tysons is an Australian family business that has been converting vans for various uses for 30 years.The basic conversion cost for the fitted Glide Rite system is about $15,000, but most people spend around $28,000 having the whole interior fitted out with extra seating.

An Australian company has promised a wheelchair conversion for vans and people movers that provides a “dignified approach” for passengers.Tysons sales manager Ryan Tyson said their Glide Rite wheelchair access system would not leave a wheelchair-bound person in full view of passing traffic.“Until now, anyone confined to a wheelchair suffered from difficult access to vehicles, or at best a very steep ramp,” he said.“They were also positioned in the back of vehicles, away from other passengers and either stuck up in the air on a platform, or down in a pit in the rear of the vehicle. It robbed them of dignity.”Glide Rite uses airbags to lower the vehicle and the floor. An access ramp also deploys to allow entry to the vehicle for manual and electric wheelchairs as well as mobility scooters.The passenger is not confined to the rear or in a lowered floor area.A low ramp angle and “soft-start” winch allow the carer to be with the wheelchair-bound passenger at all times and reduces the risks involved in high-lift transfers.The ramp folds into a dedicated area and cannot be seen from outside the vehicle.An alloy/honeycomb construction reduces the weight of components and the risk of injury to carers.The system is available for Mercedes Benz Vito Wagon and Vito XLWB, Renault Traffic and Master and is under development for the Volkswagen T5 van.Tysons is an Australian family business that has been converting vans for various uses for 30 years.The basic conversion cost for the fitted Glide Rite system is about $15,000, but most people spend around $28,000 having the whole interior fitted out with extra seating.