Dakar - South African crews dig deep as second week begins
The 2026 Dakar Rally roared back into action on Monday with Stage 8, a gruelling 481km loop around Wadi Ad Dawasir.
- Industry News
- 12 January 2026
The fourth generation of one of Renault’s bestsellers, the Trafic panel van, is set to launch in South Africa.
The latest model of the Trafic, which was born in 1980, will boast a noticeably improved exterior, improved technology and clever storage options. Renault SA has thus far retailed two generations of the Trafic, with 555 units sold.
The van, which is manufactured in Sandouville, Normandy (France), features a completely new front face, a new radio antenna and new 16-inch wheels as well as a completely redesigned interior.
It also offers power adjustable mirrors, comfortable upholstery and new door panels with wider armrests. By folding down the backrest on the middle seat, the cabin turns into a mobile office, with enough space for a laptop and an A4-sized swivel stand to easily hold any working documents. The folding backrest of the central seat makes for added convenience. In terms of storage, the cabin is full of smart solutions, including the new Easy Life drawer, accommodating 88 litres – 54 of which are located under the passenger bench seat.
The new Trafic has adopted a 2.0L Turbo Diesel engine (dCi 170), which is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and is equipped with ECO Mode, which offers overall improved fuel efficiency.
The van has a cargo volume of 8.9 m3 and is available in two colour variants: Ice Cool White (Non-Metallic) and Cumulus Blue (Non-Metallic).
Local sales of the new Trafic will commence in late November 2022 and it will retail at R 599 999.
The 2026 Dakar Rally roared back into action on Monday with Stage 8, a gruelling 481km loop around Wadi Ad Dawasir.
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