The new Renault Trafic Passenger
Minibus hire firms and anyone else needing 8-17 seater passenger vehicles have two new options from today — the Renault Trafic Passenger and Master Passenger ranges. Order books opened today for the new minibus ranges and first deliveries are expected early next year.
Both the new models are of course based on the same platforms as the firm’s latest van models, and in all. There’s plenty of choice: a total of 17 variants of the Trafic Passenger and nine versions of the Master Passenger are now on offer.
Trafic Passenger
The Trafic Passenger is available with short (3098 mm) or long (3498 mm) wheelbases, four 1.6-litre dCi turbodiesel engines – depending on version – and a choice of ‘Business’ or ‘Sport’ trim levels. All versions have three rows of three seats, although buyers have the option of deleting the third row to increase load capacity. Sport models are also available with two individual front seats as a no-cost option.
The Trafic is powered by the same 1.6 dCi used in the van, with a choice of four power levels, ranging from 90 – 140hp. The twin-turbo ENERGY engine choices (120 or 140hp) offers the best fuel consumption and lowest emissions, but do come at a slight premium to the standard dCi models, suggesting they will appeal most to higher-mileage owners.
Master Passenger
The new Renault Master Passenger
The Master Passenger is sold as a 6-seat Combi, 9-seat Combi, 17-seat Minibus and Trabus Glazed Panel Van. They are powered by four different versions of the 2.3-litre dCi turbodiesel engine, one of which offers the convenience of Renault’s Quickshift robotised semi-automatic gearbox.
Business trim is standard on all models, which gives DAB Radio, CD, USB and Bluetooth connectivity as well as ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with Grip Xtend, Hill Start Assist and Trailor Swing Assist.
The 6-seat Combi has a 3182 mm wheelbase, for the 9-seat Combi this is extended to 3682 mm, while for the 17-seat Minibus the wheelbase is even longer at 4332 mm. The Trabus Glazed Panel Van is offered in medium- and long-wheelbase formats.
All Master models are powered by Renault’s 2.3 dCi engine, against in a choice of power outputs from 110hp to 150hp, and including the option of one ENERGY twin-turbo model, which delivers 125hp and offers claimed fuel consumption of 44.1mpg, compared to 38mpg for the standard dCi 125.