Renault has launched a ‘Trader Life’ version of its Trafic medium van, pitched directly at the trades with sub-$30,000 pricing and plenty of equipment included as standard.

The Trader Life is based on the three-seater short-wheelbase (3,098mm) model and uses a detuned version of the ‘R9M’ 1.6L four-cylinder common-rail single-turbo diesel engine available further up the model line.

In this case, the engine produces 66kW of power at 3,500rpm and 260Nm of torque from just 1,500rpm, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and returning fuel economy of 6.2L per 100km on the official combined cycle – a figure that Renault describes as class-leading.

There is no automatic available on Trafic, while higher-series models are offered with an 85kW/300Nm version of the single-turbo engine (as seen in the SWB 85) or a 103kW/340Nm unit that has two turbochargers (SWB/LWB 103).

Pricing for these variants ranges from the mid-$30,000s to mid-40,000s, plus on-road costs, covering long-wheelbase (3,498mm) and crew cab body styles, which leaves the new Trafic Trader as an appealing entry point to the range with pricing at launch set at $29,990 drive-away.

Renault says the specification is aimed at minimising the cost of ownership, with headline items such as air-conditioning (with pollen filter), cruise control (with speed limiter) and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity all fitted and supported by the company’s three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty (with roadside assistance) and three capped-price services across the term.

Like the SWB 85 model, the Trader Life has a 1,665kg kerb weight, 2,000kg braked towing capacity, 2,900kg gross vehicle mass and 1,235kg payload. The load volume is 5.2m³ and the cargo bay measures 2,537mm long, 1,662mm wide (1,268mm between the wheel arches) and 1,387mm high. The area has 16 anchorage points and LED strip ceiling lighting, while access is made via a sliding door on the left-hand side and a lift-up tailgate.

Standard safety features include four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, electronic stability control with ‘load adaptive control, rollover mitigation, the ‘Grip X-Tend’ traction aid, hill-start assist and dual front airbags. Curtain airbags and reverse parking sensors are not included.

Other fittings include daytime running lights, rear fog lamps, body side protection mouldings, electric door mirrors (with blind spot mirror) and 16” steel wheels, although the under-body spare is deleted in favour of a tyre repair kit. The body colour is also restricted to white.

Cabin equipment runs to electric front windows, fully adjustable driver’s seat (including height and lumbar), height- and reach-adjustable multi-function steering wheel, a trip computer, stereo with two USB points and auxiliary jack, a 12V power outlet on the dash, three cup holders and front storage bins with separate bottle holders.

No factory options are offered, but Renault dealers are able to provide a range of locally fitted accessories to meet the requirements of a particular trade.