Renault Trafic gets sporty

The Australian delivery scene could be set to take on a sporty twist, with Renault Australia recently announcing it will shortly debut three sporty, 'driver-focussed' concept versions of its new Trafic medium van.

The three models – one in Bamboo Green, one in Glacier White, and one in Jet Black – will break cover at Phillip Island (Vic) at the Australian round of the MotoGP Championship on Friday (October 16), and will adopt sports alloy wheels, body decal kits, tinted windows and a high-spec sound system, among other yet-to-be-revealed features.

The vans have been produced as 'evaluation' models, says Renault, but a favourable response could well lead to production down the track.

Previewed recently in Renault Australia's LCV magazine, Renault Business, the vans will follow in the wheel tracks of a similar vehicle rolled out by Renault Netherlands. The Dutch distributor recently came up with the Trafic Formula Edition (pictured), which takes the traditional notion of a humble delivery van and turns it on its head.

We'll have to wait until this weekend to get our first glimpse of the Australian-spec machines, which promise to add a 'lifestyle' element to the van segment – much in the same way that dual-cab pick-ups are now increasingly tailored to lifestyle buyers.

After the MotoGP debut Renault Australia says the vehicles will tour east coast dealerships through the summer, where further customer feedback will be gathered.

Renault Australia's Model Line Manager for Renault LCVs, Lyndon Healey, said the Renault Australia wanted to "amp it up a little more for the Aussie driver who uses his Trafic for work and play".

The latest-generation Trafic reached Australian showrooms in May, bringing new power, fresh styling, more space and a raft of practical features to the French maker's medium van platform.

Click here to read the trucksales.com.au review of the new Trafic.