The Estafette name might ring a bell for some. It's a nod to Renault's popular van that was a common sight on French roads from 1959 to 1980. While the new concept keeps some vintage vibes with its round headlights, it's not as retro-heavy as Renault's other throwback designs like the new 5 electric subcompact or R17 coupe.
This modern Estafette is built on the FlexEVan platform, which Renault developed together with Volvo and logistics giant CMA CGM Group. Size-wise, it's similar to the current Renault Kangoo, measuring 4870 mm long and 2590 mm tall. But don't let its compact exterior fool you – the Estafette packs a punch when it comes to cargo space.
With 7.1 m2 of load capacity, it's nearly on par with the much larger Renault Trafic van. Renault claims the Estafette combines the agility of their small Clio hatchback with impressive hauling abilities.
Inside, the Estafette is all about making life easier for drivers. The interior height lets them walk the full length of the van standing up. A full-height shutter door at the back provides easy access to the loading bay. The side doors slide open in a straight line, putting less strain on the driver's wrist compared to traditional swing-out doors.
Renault's design team had some fun with the Estafette, using bold colors to break away from boring, anonymous van aesthetics. The driver's cockpit is thoroughly modern, featuring a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch central touchscreen. This screen can run various apps tailored for different trades. There are even widgets below the screen and on the steering wheel for quick access to favorite apps.
In a high-tech twist, traditional side mirrors have been replaced by 10-inch vertical digital screens mounted by each door.
While Renault hasn't spilled the beans on the electric drivetrain details, they've made it clear the Estafette is designed for urban use. This suggests it won't need massive power or an oversized battery to get the job done.
It'll be interesting to see how closely the 2026 production model sticks to this concept when it finally rolls off the assembly line.
Source: Renault