Car manufacturers are still holding on to a trend that has been sweeping the industry for years: releasing new models of cars or vans and naming them after older models that, in some way, made history. A prime example is seen at the IAA 2024 in Hanover, where Renault presents the Estafette Concept prototype, reviving the name of the famous van produced from 1959 to 1980. While this new version vaguely echoes the lines of its predecessor, it comes with a significant difference: electric propulsion.
This minivan is designed for urban distribution, specifically for last-mile deliveries in e-commerce. It’s as long as the Kangoo with a medium wheelbase and offers the cargo capacity of the Trafic with a low roof and medium wheelbase. This combination makes the prototype both agile and maneuverable, without sacrificing load capacity.
To design the Estafette Concept, Renault engaged delivery drivers to better understand their daily needs, from safety to ease of use, as well as the need to reduce time spent on operations. At the heart of the vehicle is the Ampere FlexEva platform, which enables advanced vehicle management through features like real-time updates, predictive maintenance, and continuous connectivity.
Renault explains the connection to the original Estafette through a few shared characteristics. The first is innovation: the original model featured the entire engine and transmission mounted at the front, freeing up space for cargo, while the new version boasts the fully electric FlexEVan platform. Additionally, both models have sliding doors on both sides. Renault has announced that the electric Estafette will go into production within two years.
