Renault reveals new Estafette commercial vehicle concept

Renault has unveiled a new Estafette electric van concept at the 2024 IAA Transportation exhibition.

Designed to meet freight transport needs in congested city centres, the concept is said to be built atop a new FlexEVan platform developed by Renault and has been designed to meet a host of requirements from various professionals and logistics firms.

The Renault Estafette concept makes use of a rolling shutter instead of swing-out doors so it can reverse right into any space for easy loading of cargo

Up front, the Estafette concept follows after its 1959 namesake with the use of jovial round head lights. Two pocket sliding doors at either side, meanwhile, allow roadside deliveries from the vehicle to be done safely. And at the rear, a shutter is utilised instead of swing-out doors, so there need not be any clearance space behind the vehicle (although a step that unfolds automatically is available) for easy loading of cargo into the vehicle.

This body measures in at 4,870mm long and 1,920mm wide (not too different from the Renault Kangoo), however, the turning circle of the Estafette concept is said to be similar to that of a Clio, while its height measures in at 2,590mm, allowing its driver to effortlessly move between the cockpit and cargo area.

These dimensions allow the Renault Estafette concept to offer a load capacity of close to 7,100 litres. And to soften its towering height, it comes with a Tropical Yellow roof that sits over its Helium Grey cab.

A 12-inch screen in the cabin can run programmes designed for the trade of the vehicle's driver and is augmented by additional widgets that allow quick access to selected features

Renault has opted to match this with a cabin that comes in zesty yellow. Here also lies a driver's seat that can swivel for easy access to the cargo area, which can house any driver standing perfectly straight (as long as he/she is not more than 1.9m tall). Protection from any moving goods is offered by a sliding door that divides the cockpit from the cargo area and closes automatically when the driver returns to the cockpit or exits the vehicle.

At the other end, the driver will face 7.0-inch display and a 12-inch screen mounted on the middle of the dashboard, the latter capable of running software applications developed specifically for the trade of the vehicle's user. The base of the screen, the surface at the centre of the steering wheel and the area towards the door include a series of widgets providing one-tap access to the driver's favourite features.

Renault states that the Estafette concept is set to turn into production van in two years.