Renault Brings Back Historic Names for Futuristic Vans
Like many automakers, Renault is keen on dusting off nameplates it hasn't used in decades. The R5 (Le Car in the United States) is back, and the reborn R4 goes on sale later this year. In addition, the Twingo will return in 2026. On the commercial side, the French brand is now resurrecting two monikers: Estafette and Goelette. The all-new vans are joined by a next-generation Trafic, with all three featuring electric drivetrains.
The Estafette name harkens to a series of vans sold from the late 1950s until the mid-1980s, but the new model adopts futuristic styling. It takes after a namesake concept exhibited last September at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover. The sleek van has been engineered with a sliding door and a roller shutter door at the back. It gets running boards on the sides and rear for easy access.
Renault's new compact van is 207.4 inches long, 75.5 inches wide, and 102.3 inches tall. Even if you're 6 feet 3 inches tall, you'll have no issues moving between the cargo area and the cockpit. As you would expect from a commercial vehicle, it gets a huge windscreen and expansive side glass for excellent outward visibility.
The Goelette name is just about as old as Estafette, and now it's officially back. Renault plans to sell the new version in three flavors (chassis cab, box, and tipper), but the rear section can be customized in multiple ways, depending on the business needs. It can be had with or without running boards and comes with a wraparound windscreen, allowing drivers to see through the B-pillars.
The Renault Trafic has been around since the 1980s, and unlike the other two, it's been on sale continuously, racking up more than 2.5 million units. Echoing the Estafette and Goelette, it adopts a high-tech look to make vans less boring, much like Hyundai has tried with the Staria Load. It's less than 74.8 inches (1.9 meters) tall, so accessing Europe's underground parking lots shouldn't be an issue.
Since vans must be boxy to maximize interior space, they're not the most aerodynamic vehicles. However, Renault has designed the new Trafic with a chunky upper rear spoiler with built-in deflectors. The revamped workhorse also features asymmetrical hinged doors and grained black lower body protection to toughen things up.
All three carry the "E-Tech" suffix since Renault intends to sell them with a fully electric drivetrain. The new Estafette, Goelette, and Trafic will be assembled in France at the Sandouville factory and will hit the market in 2026. The trio was developed by Flexis, a company founded last year by Renault in collaboration with Volvo and French logistics firm CMA CGM Group. Renault and Volvo are each investing €300 million in Flexis over the next couple of years, while CMA CGM Group is spending €120 million.
