2024 Renault Estafette Concept

Renault Estafette Concept: the electric van inspired by cities and the professionals who work in them

• Estafette Concept encapsulates something about Renault's vision for its electric utility vehicles moving forward. It is a glimpse into how Flexis – a joint venture by Renault Group, Volvo Group and CMA CGM Group – will rise to the challenges in the energy transition and last-kilometre logistics
•Estafette Concept is designed for cities. It is a compact yet spacious all-electric van combining Kangoo L2's length, Clio's agility and Trafic L1H2's load capacity
•It was designed around professional drivers, engineered based on their feedback and geared for their needs. It streamlines operations and enhances safety
•Estafette Concept is fully connected and leverages the SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) architecture in the FlexEVan platform developed by Ampere. SDV electronic architectures play an essential role in increasing performance and cost-efficiency in new-generation vehicles. They also integrate advanced features including real-time updates and predictive maintenance. Overall, they help to reduce cost in use by about 30%

E-commerce has kick-started exponential growth in freight transport, traffic restrictions in city centres are tightening, and delivery professionals, tradespeople and retailers are realising that their needs will soon outgrow conventional vans. Renault Group is using the new FlexEVan platform that Renault developed with its partners in Flexis to build its vision of the next dream utility vehicle – 65 years after the Estafette revolutionised the van universe. The specs are based on professionals' requirements and feedback, and the two main goals are keeping drivers and goods safe, and keeping loading and unloading swift.

'We are very excited about helping to bring to life the vision that Renault Group and its partners Volvo Group and CMA CGM Group have come up with to revolutionise urban logistics, to make operations more sustainable, safer, city-friendlier, driver-friendlier and neighbour-friendlier. Estafette Concept is the first example of what electric utility vehicles will look like tomorrow: purpose-engineered to drive in cities, compact, connected and built for fully sustainable delivery services.'
Philippe Divry, CEO, Flexis SAS

The Estafette's pioneering legacy
Estafette Concept has much more in common with Renault's emblematic 1959 van than the jovial round headlamps. They are both radically innovative and practical. The original Estafette was the very first Renault brand vehicle to fit the entire powertrain – engine and transmission – at the front to free up all the space behind for loading. The new Estafette 4.0 is the first to feature the FlexEVan electric platform, which is poised to upend the utility vehicle landscape. They were both designed to make life easier for delivery drivers, tradespeople and retailers, and are both remarkably compact – ample inside yet easy to park. They both have two sliding doors for unparalleled convenience and safety.

And they were both designed for and with professionals. In 1959, Renault launched its Estafette with a France-wide delivery tournament. Estafette Concept will become a production van in two years' time, so watch this space!

Exterior design 'Estafette Concept intends to change the way people perceive vans in cities, while applying and adapting the same interior and exterior concept across the line-up. Vans will no longer be anonymous shapes: they will be endearing, expressive and come in eye-catching pop colours.'
Sandeep Bhambra, Chief Designer, Advanced Design and Concept Cars, Ampere

'Standing-position' proportions
Estafette Concept's footprint (4.87 x 1.92 metres) is in the same league as Kangoo L2's (4.91 x 1.86 metres). They both fit in a standard parking spot (less than 5 metres long), while being more agile, with a turning circle between kerbs similar to that of a Clio (just over 10 metres). But Estafette Concept is considerably higher (2.59 metres compared with 1.85), so its silhouette is distinctly vertical. The driver, as a result, can effortlessly move back and forth between the cockpit and cargo area.

Openings that make life easier
The pocket sliding side doors open with one swift motion, so the driver doesn't have to constantly pull them outwards and backwards then back again. They save a substantial amount of time and are much easier on the driver's wrist when they make dozens of stops a day.

The shutter at the rear rolls around itself, opening up the van's full height. And it doesn't have a tailgate or swing-out doors, so you don't need any clearance space behind (even though a large step unfolds automatically every time you open the shutter). The van can for example reverse all the way up to a dock for easy loading, for a total load capacity close to that of a Trafic L1H2 (7.1 cu. metres). The shutter is used exclusively for loading and the sliding door alongside the pavement is used exclusively for unloading, to keep the driver completely safe.

Smooth silhouette
The sleek outline – the only prominent feature is the ripple underlining the grille bar – gives Estafette Concept a gentle feel that conceals technology at the height of perfection. Think Smeg fridge meets plush toy.

Pop top
Cities would look so much more dazzling from above if every delivery van had a pop top! Estafette Concept joins in the fun with a Tropical Yellow roof over a Helium Grey cab, but the two-tone body has another advantage, too: it softens the van's towering height.

Strong statement
A commanding grille bar protrudes from the otherwise soft contours on Estafette Concept's prow, beneath the windscreen base, to draw the eye to the van's brand. The backlit Renault Nouvel'R logo is distinctly reflected in the new signature LED pattern forming large vertical fragments of the logo at the ends of the bar.

The base of the prow has two large headlamps with a 3D look to magnify the techy effect. They are linked by a black strip providing the background for the Renault monogram and housing a built-in camera. The monogram also appears on the sills to make the brand even more prominent.

Triptych-shaped windscreen
To provide the driver with a panoramic view of the urban surroundings, the gigantic windscreen wraps around the side, connecting to two strikingly ample windows forming a triptych. From the outside, the inconspicuous frame helps to create a high-tech 'helmet visor' effect, hinting at the van's advanced safety features.

Interior design

Últra-ergonomic cockpit area
The cockpit area is all zesty yellow and has a single seat for the driver (the foldaway seat next to it is exclusively for training). The seat is on a platform, so the driver is in a comfortable, secure position. All they have to do is swivel the seat to stand up without any extra strain on their legs or torso. And anyone up to 1.90 metres tall can stand up perfectly straight inside. The platform under the seat has 7 drawers (3 on the door side, 4 on the other side).

Source - Renault