Large multi purpose vehicles never hacked it in Europe.
But, as light commercial vehicles became more civilised, passenger versions also came to fit the bill for those who wanted a substantial MPV.
More often than not, they could carry a full complement of people and have room for their luggage, kit or equipment. For Renault UK this has been a welcome trend. Earlier this year it undertook a radical range cull. Out went upper-medium Laguna (hatch, coupe, estate) and other major casualties were the Espace/Grand Espace – its large MPVs. Focus for the company now is on its small to lower-medium cars (a new Clio supermini comes late this year) and an already strong presence in the LCV market.
But, as light commercial vehicles became more civilised, passenger versions also came to fit the bill for those who wanted a substantial MPV.
More often than not, they could carry a full complement of people and have room for their luggage, kit or equipment. For Renault UK this has been a welcome trend. Earlier this year it undertook a radical range cull. Out went upper-medium Laguna (hatch, coupe, estate) and other major casualties were the Espace/Grand Espace – its large MPVs. Focus for the company now is on its small to lower-medium cars (a new Clio supermini comes late this year) and an already strong presence in the LCV market.
Vans did well across the UK last year. From Spring 2010, through 2011 - in stark contrast to cars - deliveries climbed steadily from the 2008-2009 slump. For the first quarter of this year, however, registrations have dipped by 11.1% compared to the same period last year. Vans up to 2.0t have fared particularly badly (down 24.5%) whereas 4x4 Utility types and 2.0-2.5t payload models have bucked the trend, both showing gains. Statistics and trend evidence courtesy of SMMT.
It seems however that up-market variants – top of the range Trafics are badged Sport – offering greater passenger comfort and/or accommodation are doing well. Equipment and drivability now can justify the car-like description. The nine-seat passenger version of the Trafic Phase 3 (short and long-wheelbase) might not be too traumatic (SWB at least) for someone stepping out of an Espace.
It’s nothing like as cossetingly comfortable, smooth and quiet as an Espace but, when size matters, even the larger mainstream European MPVs often don’t deliver. Six speed gearboxes come with all the 2.0 litre dCi 115ps (99mph max) diesels with the option of a Quickshift semi-automatic transmission.
It offers normal automatic mode (no clutch pedal) but reverse selected by moving the “gear-stick” right and down. Otherwise you nudge the lever forward (change up) and back (down) - pretty “quick” actually and adapts to ‘load factor’. It’s also far less tiring especially in traffic. Even the ‘Sport’ Trafic is no ‘performance car’ and there is little to be gained by a manual ‘box.
Cabin room available for nine people (3x3x3) and internal loadspace (especially in the LWB models) is impressive. A lot be stowed inside without recourse to a roof rack or trailer (but braked towing maximum is 2000kg). An estate car type parcel shelf is standard on the SWB but can be ordered for the LWB too for £90.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
It seems however that up-market variants – top of the range Trafics are badged Sport – offering greater passenger comfort and/or accommodation are doing well. Equipment and drivability now can justify the car-like description. The nine-seat passenger version of the Trafic Phase 3 (short and long-wheelbase) might not be too traumatic (SWB at least) for someone stepping out of an Espace.
It’s nothing like as cossetingly comfortable, smooth and quiet as an Espace but, when size matters, even the larger mainstream European MPVs often don’t deliver. Six speed gearboxes come with all the 2.0 litre dCi 115ps (99mph max) diesels with the option of a Quickshift semi-automatic transmission.
It offers normal automatic mode (no clutch pedal) but reverse selected by moving the “gear-stick” right and down. Otherwise you nudge the lever forward (change up) and back (down) - pretty “quick” actually and adapts to ‘load factor’. It’s also far less tiring especially in traffic. Even the ‘Sport’ Trafic is no ‘performance car’ and there is little to be gained by a manual ‘box.
Cabin room available for nine people (3x3x3) and internal loadspace (especially in the LWB models) is impressive. A lot be stowed inside without recourse to a roof rack or trailer (but braked towing maximum is 2000kg). An estate car type parcel shelf is standard on the SWB but can be ordered for the LWB too for £90.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
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