Hillside Leisure Ellastone

Four berth Four travel seats Length: 4.99m, width: 1.96m, height: 2.00m Gross weight: 2,740Kg Payload: 690Kg Base vehicle: Renault Trafic SL27 Business panel van Engine: 1.6-litre turbo-diesel, Euro V, 90bhp (115, 120 and 140bhp available) Kitchen: two-burner hod with separate Smev grill, Waeco compressor type fridge Beds: Downstairs double: 1.80m x 1.19m, roof bed: 1.91m x 1.23m

Shock of the new

If you expected the new Trafic to be as revolutionary as its forebears you’ll be disappointed. Perhaps the French have lost their nerve for guillotining the past and shocking with the new. Where the new van wins, instead, is with the quality of its drive. And the quality of its build, too.

I was lucky enough to attend the Copenhagen launch of the new Trafic and it was immediately clear that the real development has been in the cab, where it has moved much more upmarket. Gloss black highlights and smartphone and tablet cradles are just hints at its 21st century abilities. Driver comfort has been focused on too, with reach and rake adjustment for the steering column and a driving position that is more family MPV than builder’s van. It is also the first Renault vehicle to offer R&Go, an app that you can download to provide navigation, telephone commands and vehicle trip information. And this is the first Trafic to offer a hands-free key card as an option.

Even this entry-level base vehicle comes with a USB port in the dashtop, cupholders in each corner (plus a central fold-down one), remote radio controls on the steering column, a DAB radio, heated mirrors, Hill Start Assist and Grip Xtend (to enhance traction on slippery surfaces like gravel, mud and light snow).

Despite the new Ellastone’s eye-catching £33,995 starting price, Eberspächer diesel heating, a 12V/230V boiler, roof bed, Porta Potti and an external shower are all standard. Better still, you can upgrade to a 120bhp Twin Turbo Sport van for £36,995. Then you’ll get metallic paint, automatic lights and wipers, a sat-nav with touchscreen, leather steering wheel, 17in alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, cruise control, front foglamps and body-coloured bumpers and mirrors.

There will be three furniture colours to choose from too, although basically this is a classic side kitchen layout with the popular and proven RIB seat/bed. As is often the case, the seat is fractionally high unless you are long in the leg, but it is well shaped and has pop-up head restraints. There’s good storage below too, including room for a portable loo (freeing up vital extra cupboard space in the kitchen).

See the February issue of MMM magazine for the full review.

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This prototype Ellastone is just the start in Hillside’s relationship with the new Renault; a high-top and rear kitchen layouts will follow, and more powerful engines and a rear tailgate will also enhance the appeal. But the key thing here is that the Trafic goes straight to the top of the campervan base vehicle class, especially in Twin Turbo Sport guise. Spend £37k on one of these and you’ll have a campervan every bit as good as a £50k T5. No, make that better…