Dacia Estafette
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Automobiles, Commercial vehicles |
| Website | www |
The Renault Estafette is a light commercial front-wheel drive van manufactured by the French company Renault. Initially, it was powered by the water-cooled Renault Ventoux engine, but later models incorporated the Renault Cléon-Fonte engine across multiple body variants. The Estafette was ultimately replaced by the Renault Trafic.
Upon its introduction, Renault distinguished itself as the sole automaker globally offering vehicles with all three principal drivetrain layouts concurrently: front-engine front-wheel drive (Estafette), rear-engine rear-wheel drive (such as the Dauphine), and front-engine rear-wheel drive (for example, the Frégate).
History
In 1944, the French Ministry of Industrial Production implemented the Plan Pons, which assigned manufacturers like Peugeot, Renault, and Chenard & Walcker to produce vans with payload capacities between 1000 and 1400 kilograms, while Citroën was designated to focus on small trucks. Despite this directive, Citroën launched the innovative front-wheel-drive, unibody Citroën H Van in 1947, which achieved considerable commercial success.
Renault adhered to the plan by producing the 206 E1, featuring a conventional chassis and wooden frame body panels to minimize costs amid material shortages. Although it performed well commercially, it did not match the popularity of Citroën’s H Van. To bridge the gap between its smaller Juvaquatre and the 1000 kg 206 E1—previously occupied by the discontinued Renault Colorale van—Renault developed the Estafette.
Despite company preferences favoring rear-engine models like the 4cv and Dauphine, Renault reluctantly authorized a front-engine, front-wheel-drive van designed by Guy Grosset-Grange under Fernand Picard’s leadership. The Estafette incorporated existing Renault components, including a modified Dauphine engine coupled with a newly designed gearbox tailored for van usage. Initial doubts about the 845 cc engine’s capability were dispelled after comparative testing against the German Gutbrod Atlas, which utilized a smaller engine yet managed similar payloads.
Introduced in June 1959 and named after the Italian word Staffetta (meaning Courier), the Estafette emphasized efficiency and functionality over raw power. It was available in four body configurations: a van featuring a unique three-part rear door (with an upward-hinged upper window and two side-opening lower halves), a sliding side door on the curb side, and a sliding driver’s door; a high-roof variant equipped with a translucent plastic roof to allow standing height; a pickup model with a tubular canopy frame and detachable tailgate that doubled as a loading ramp; and an eight-seat minibus. Factory paint options were limited to grey, blue, yellow, or orange.
The Estafette’s low floor height and wide rear access made it especially suited for transporting bulky goods. The high-roof version provided increased cargo volume, favored by businesses requiring ample interior space. Its adaptability also rendered it popular as a mobile retail vehicle at markets, achieving iconic status in France comparable to that of ice cream vans in England.
Evolution
In 1961, Renault introduced the Alouette variant—a simpler minibus featuring removable seating—which gained popularity among French coachbuilders. Soon after, a chassis-cab model became available to accommodate various custom body applications.
By May 1962, the Estafette became the first model fitted with Renault’s new "Sierra" series water-cooled 1,108 cc four-cylinder engine, which was launched in the Renault 8 passenger car one month later.
In 1968, seventy units were supplied to police forces for use at the Winter Olympics held in Grenoble, leading to an extended contract. The largest corporate client for the Estafette was France’s telephone company PTT. That same year saw an upgrade to a 1,289 cc engine from the forthcoming Renault 12 model, increasing payload capacity to 1000 kg. The grille design was refreshed in 1973. Production persisted until 1980 when more than half a million units had been sold before being succeeded by the Trafic.
Between 1975 and 1978, Automobile Dacia in Romania produced a version of the Estafette for Romanian Post services, manufacturing approximately 642 vehicles.
Revival
During the 2024 IAA event in Hanover, Renault presented the Estafette concept as part of the Flexis Group collaboration with Volvo Trucks. This model marks the inaugural vehicle built on the new 'FlexEVan' electric platform, with plans to commence production within two years.
According to Flexis CEO Philippe Divry, the Estafette is intended to succeed the Renault Trafic and serve as a representation of upcoming electric commercial vehicles.
Versions
- R2130/31
- manufactured: May 1959 – May 1962
- engine: 845 cc, , type 670
- payload capacity:
- R2132/33/34/35
- manufactured: May 1962 – Nov 1968
- engine: 1,108 cc, , type 688
- payload capacity: , designated as "Estafette 1000"
- R2136/37 (with R2137 versions including "Plateau" and "Base Carrossable" open bed pickups)
- manufactured: Sep 1968 – Jun 1980
- engine: 1,289 cc, , type 810
- payload capacity: (R2136), (R2137)