Renault has published a teaser sketch that previews the next generation of its mid-size Trafic van.
Marking the nameplate’s third generation in 33 years, the next Trafic will gain a bolder design that will borrow styling cues from recently-introduced Renault products such as the redesigned Megane and the Captur crossover. Several body styles will be offered including two wheelbase lengths, two roof heights, a passenger-carrying model with room for up to nine passengers and a chassis-cab.
Mechanically, the next Trafic will be offered with a turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine available in several power tunes. Most models will come standard with a start/stop system, and a plug-in hybrid variant is expected to join the lineup later in the production run in order to help Renault comply with strict CO2 emissions that will come into effect across Europe before the end of the decade.
Renault will likely eschew the auto show circuit and unveil the third-gen Trafic online in a matter of month. When it goes on sale, the Trafic will square off against the Toyota ProAce, the Volkswagen Transporter and the cargo-hauling variant of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class.
GM sibling
General Motors’ Germany-based Opel division will get its own variant of the Renault Trafic dubbed Vivaro. The two vans will be similar inside and out save for the front fascia and the Opel variant might get brand-specific engines.
At the time of writing GM is not planning on selling the van in the United States under the Chevrolet and GMC monikers.
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