Some of the best commecial vehicles launched over recent years have been the result of co-operation between
van manufacturers.

Although I’ve mentioned the word ‘recent’ here, it’s hard to believe that some of the vans available today have been around for a long time.

We’ve recently taken delivery of a new Renault Trafic, which will be used by Fleet Van for the next 12 months.

This van was first revealed to the public in September 2000 as a collaboration between Renaol and Opel/Vauxhall, and with a series of updates and honing over the last decade it still manages to make a stong case for itself alongside newer rivals.

When I first drove the Trafic in 2001 I noted it was the only launch I can ever remember when two rival van manufacturers actually put their differences aside and got together for a single presentation.

But what really stood out was that this new van was so much better than anything that had gone before – it really was a quantum leap forward.

Although most of these vans that you see on UK roads carry the Vauxhall moniker and were built at Luton, it is fair to say that this vehicle is a Renault at heart.

It was designed by Renault and since its introduction, Nissan has also joined in with the project selling the same vehicle as the Primastar.

Since the Trafic first arrived on UK roads a whole host of other variants have become available, including the Trafic Sport that we have on test.

Given our extensive previous experience of the Trafic and its Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan Primastar counterparts, we expect a year of hugely enjoyable motoring ahead with the Trafic able to cope with any task required of it.

Now you would expect that after 11 years, this van would be getting a tad grey round the gills and showing its age against the opposition.

Well if you thought that, you’d be dead wrong – and it’s a sign of just how far ahead it was in 2001 because quite frankly some of the opposition are still trying to catch up.

Of all the vans we’ve ever driven, the Trafic just about tops the list even now for comfort and drivability.

And looking at the picture here, you’ll see that even its looks are still contemporary and cutting edge.

Our Sport model offers that little bit extra than the standard models and anyone who thinks that spending money on things like alloy wheels and metallic paint is a waste of time should stop and consider just what an upmarket, quality story a vehicle like this will say about the company which runs it and has its logo emblazoned on the side. This van simply exudes style and elegance.

There are also residual values to think about.

Put a van like this through the auction halls and it will stand out among the typical workhorse variants, and attract significantly greater interest and higher bids from used van buyers  – they just can’t get enough of them.

It’s a simple question of speculating and accumulating really.

The model on test here has a basic price of £19,870 ex-VAT but with a few added extras that Renault has added to the vehicle, the price rises to £20,930.

The Trafic only arrived a few days before we went to press so in the next issue we’ll be telling you how the van is settling in to its busy new life.

For now we’re very happy with the initial impressions. But looking ahead 12 months, when we defleet the Trafic – and when the van’s design will be 13 years old – I wonder whether it will have lived up to our early expectations, or after all this time, despite the many updates which have witnessed many upgrades in equpment levels  as well as  significant improvements in fuel efficiency and cuts to CO2 emissions it will have begun to feel its age. No doubt time will tell.