Renault-Traffic Car: owner feedback and model review

The machine can not be as fast as a sports car, capacious, like a bus, and economical, like "Smart". However, there are models that are able to combine the advantages of completely different machines. At least to some extent. It is to this that the car "Renault-Traffic" belongs. Today we will review the last, third generation of the model.

Historical reference

In Europe, the Renault-Traffic model is considered one of the best sellers among commercial vehicles, along with the Volkswagen-Transporter and Opel-Transit models. The second generation was produced and successfully sold for 13 years. True, in our region the car was not very well known. There are several reasons for this: skeptical attitude towards the French car, personal preferences of the drivers of the 90s and a weak advertising campaign. Years passed and priorities changed. And now, when the new "Renault-Traffic" came on sale, the model quite ambitiously announced itself in our market.

Creating a new generation, the developers tried to improve the car on all characteristics, while preserving the strengths of the predecessor and not allowing a significant rise in price. In addition, the management has set designers the most difficult task: to reduce fuel consumption, but at the same time to increase the internal space and expand the list of useful options.

Exterior

It's time to get acquainted with the appearance of Renault-Traffic. The feedback from owners and experts echo that the exterior of the model has not just been transformed, but has radically changed. Of course, to the faultless Mercedes Vito in the last modification of our hero is still far away. However, he is at a price very far from the German. The new "Renault-Traffic" is noticeably larger than its predecessor and, let's say, "busier".

Following the example of the second generation, the model is available in different versions: cargo, cargo and passenger. The range of colors also significantly expanded, many bright, fresh shades added. The bright color is rather original to the car of such a class as Renault-Traffic. The owners' comments point out that this car looks much more fun, and on the road it can be seen from afar.

And what's inside?

Before entering the salon, the driver faces wide and heavy doors, the massive handles of which are horizontally arranged. A step is unequivocally necessary here, by the way, without it you would have to show climbing skills. Adjusting the driver's seat in height is available even in the base configuration, which can not but rejoice, because, when driving such a large car, I want to have a good overview. By the way, with the review, as the reviews show, there are no problems here. Large windows and huge rear-view mirrors (consisting of two sections, the bottom of which has a hemispherical shape), cope with their task for a hooray.

Useful options

In top versions, the central mirror can be equipped with a liquid crystal display screen, which displays data from the rear view camera. Also for the car is available parktronic. And the first and second option definitely will not interfere, because the car is very bulky and long, and the rear door divided in half negatively affects the view through the salon mirror.

If desired, you can put a branded multimedia system with navigation on the car. Exactly the same system is put on passenger cars "Renault". Even a simple, basic radio receiver here has a convenient daisy-bar control panel and a connector for a flash card. Another USB input is located on the top of the torpedo. So if you need to charge your phone, you do not have to turn off the music. Thus, almost all the options that are now installed on the passenger models Logan, Megane or Sandero, are also in the model "Renault-Traffic" 2015. The owners will not give their lies. Auto recognize is really very comfortable. If you want cruise control, please. Or maybe you want a keyless access system ? No problem. And in the "Traffic" you can add side airbags and a folding passenger seat, which turns into a table. In general, the choice of equipment depends on the budget and needs. For example, for a business car, it is unlikely that someone will order a launch from the button.

Ergonomics

Useful options are not limited to the level of comfort of Renault-Traffic. The owners' reviews mark the abundance in the cabin of various niches, offices and shelves, which is very convenient, especially on long trips. And all this is even in the basic configuration. At the top of the torpedo is a convenient recess for containers with drinks. Here you can arrange a bottle of water, and a cup of coffee. The center console pleases with a convenient retractable cup holder. In the salon even there are slots for coins. In total, the cabin has 14 compartments, the total volume of which is 90 liters. Among them there may be a 54-liter container, located under the passenger seat.

The instrument panel of the third "Traffic" has significantly changed. The shield received an electronic speedometer, which is much more comfortable than the analog dial. The speed reading takes minimal time. On the dashboard there were hints indicating the time of the optimal gear shift.

The ventilation system and the deflectors themselves have also changed. And if for a car it's a trifle, then in a minibus - a guarantee of comfort. At the disposal of the passengers of the middle row there are air ducts for feet and a control panel for blowing on the ceiling. For the rear row there are also deflectors. All this indicates a high level of comfort "Renault-Traffic". The owners' comments, however, point out as a significant shortcoming the impossibility of airing the cabin through the windows. Alas, all the windows, except for the two front ones, are deaf.

The rear-seat divans are fairly wide and, as was the case with the "beads", almost flat. In the second row, one section is tilted to open the passengers to the third row of Renault-Traffic. The drivers' comments mark a small inclination of the backrest and, as a consequence, a not very comfortable fit for the rear passengers. Even in the salon of the updated "Traffic", in comparison with the older generation, there is not enough (but not critical) place above your head.

Cargo capacity

That's what exactly did not have a predecessor, so it's a boot with a volume of 1800 liters. Laying the back sofa, you can increase this figure to 3400 liters. If there is a need for transportation of long cargo (refrigerator, cabinet, etc.), the sofas can simply be dismantled. But here you can not do without an assistant - the weight of the sofas is quite large. After dismantling, we get an absolutely flat floor. The rear doors fold open 90 or 180 degrees, which facilitates loading / unloading.

Engines "Renault-Traffic"

For the new "Traffic" French firm offers turbodiesel engines of a new generation. There are only two motors. Both have a volume of 1.6 liters. The power of the first is 115 horsepower, and the second - 140 (double turbo). The first gives 300 Nm of torque and consumes 6.6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers of track. The second gives 340 Nm of torque, but consumes only 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers. The flow rate is indicated in the mixed mode. Of course, the stated flow rates are indicated with regard to the empty interior. As you can see, in this generation there is no "Renault-Traffic" gasoline. The owners' comments show that gasoline units for such cars are not needed.

The third "Traffic" has an ECO button, which, according to representatives of Renault, allows you to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. The main task of this function is to "chop off" the bar of maximum torque. So it should be in theory, but in practice, a comfortable ride results in a consumption of 7 to 8 liters.

In the "Eco" mode, the car is very slow to gain speed, especially if the air conditioner is running. Therefore, the use of this mode is not justified, because for normal overclocking it is necessary to "twist" the engine more, which obviously does not lead to savings. That's where the economical mode is advisable, so it's on the road or in traffic jams, when you drive at a constant speed. Of course, the junior engine rides a little sluggishly. But the turbo "Renault-Traffic", mounted on the top engine, strongly affects the dynamics.

Transmission

"Renault-Traffic" (the configuration does not matter) is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. The first gear, as befits such machines, turns on briefly. A sixth can come in handy purely on the road. The clarity of inclusion and the course of the wings are far from the standard, but hatred of the French car industry does not cause. Thanks to the roll-back system, you can safely move on any slope. In the basic version there is an anti-lock system, and for a surcharge, you can get an ESP and assistance system when driving with a trailer, which eliminates the build-up of the body.

On the road

On the dynamics have already been said, so let's talk about comfort and manageability. Even at a speed of 130 km / h in front you can talk quietly, good noise isolation and a pleasant figure of fuel consumption create the feeling that you have been taken care of. By controllability, of course, the car is far from a car, but it rides quite well, and most importantly - obediently and understandably. Successful tuning of the suspension and large strokes allow us to move comfortably even on our specific roads. But it concerns only those sitting in front.

The rear passengers of Renault-Traffic (diesel), of course, do not get such comfort. And even at full load, the stern still shakes. And this is normal for machines of this class. "Traffic" can be a family or truck, but "commercial veins" make themselves felt. The rear suspension is designed for increased loads. Therefore, for the versatility of the car you have to pay the comfort of the rear passengers.

Prospects in the market

Renault-Traffic (diesel) took the niche of its predecessor in the company's commercial line, but whether it can become a bestseller is still unclear. French production will be difficult to compete with market leaders. Moreover, Ford and Volkswagen companies are also pleased with the novelties. So the novelty of the French just can not play. Nevertheless, the hero of today's story deserves attention. By the way, the price of the car starts from the mark of 25.5 thousand dollars. The new "Transporter", for example, in a 2-liter version costs 38 thousand.

Conclusion

Today we learned what the third generation of the Renault-Traffic car is. Photos, reviews and expert assessment helped us to get a better idea of the car. Summarizing the review, we can say that the car, in comparison with the last generation, has made a big step forward. He became more interesting and comfortable. Freight characteristics also increased. This is really a universal car, allowing you to solve any problem. And with such a fuel consumption on it is sluggish and just go to work. The French knew what to bribe. Perhaps in the future there will be "Renault-Traffic" 1.9. Feedback from owners, however, shows that the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is also quite enough.