Automotive

Renault SpaceNomad camper descends the Swiss Alps for a bite of VW pie

Renault SpaceNomad camper descends the Swiss Alps for a bite of VW pie
The Renault SpaceNomad makes an interesting alternative to the more widely known VW California
The Renault SpaceNomad makes an interesting alternative to the more widely known VW California
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The Renault SpaceNomad includes a retractable awning
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The Renault SpaceNomad includes a retractable awning
The included solar panel adds some extra leisure battery timee
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The included solar panel adds some extra leisure battery timee
The new Traic serves as a solid base van for the SpaceNomad conversion
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The new Traic serves as a solid base van for the SpaceNomad conversion
RV specialist Pilote does the conversion work after Renault manufactures the Trafic van
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RV specialist Pilote does the conversion work after Renault manufactures the Trafic van
The low-profile pop-up roof is designed for seamless handling, parking and accessibility
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The low-profile pop-up roof is designed for seamless handling, parking and accessibility
On the open road in the Renault SpaceNomad
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On the open road in the Renault SpaceNomad
The SpaceNomad seats up to five and sleeps up to four
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The SpaceNomad seats up to five and sleeps up to four
The collapsible dining table works inside or out
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The collapsible dining table works inside or out
The SpaceNomad includes a full kitchen block, convertible rear seating/bed, pop-up sleeper roof and plenty of storage
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The SpaceNomad includes a full kitchen block, convertible rear seating/bed, pop-up sleeper roof and plenty of storage
The SpaceNomad does not include a full bathroom but it does come with a rear outdoor shower
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The SpaceNomad does not include a full bathroom but it does come with a rear outdoor shower
Renault offers several color options
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Renault offers several color options
New Renault SpaceNomad
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New Renault SpaceNomad
Renault SpaceNomad
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Renault SpaceNomad
The SpaceNomad still offers space for luggage and gear
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The SpaceNomad still offers space for luggage and gear
Taking the wheel
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Taking the wheel
Renault offers several color options
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Renault offers several color options
The Renault SpaceNomad makes an interesting alternative to the more widely known VW California
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The Renault SpaceNomad makes an interesting alternative to the more widely known VW California
View gallery - 17 images

Renault is pushing its way into Volkswagen territory. After launching its Trafic SpaceNomad camper van exclusively in Switzerland in 2020, the French marque takes advantage of the popularity of RV life and expands outward, bringing the camper to additional European markets. The latest pop-top SpaceNomad offers an attractive alternative to the Volkswagen California, complete with standard solar power, four beds and a shower.

Volkswagen may absolutely dominate in nostalgia, but these days we prefer the look of Renault's Trafic. Its boxier, broad-shouldered cargo area looks like a natural for living in, and the newest version spreads that strong look throughout.

Renault debuted the original Swiss-market SpaceNomad on the older pre-facelift Trafic, but the newest SpaceNomad benefits from the updates the Trafic received in 2021. The newer Trafic wears a more cohesive facial signature spread across a strong, upright front-end, an improvement over both the weaker, flabbier face of the older Trafic and a VW T6.1 bogged down by way too much grille.

Renault offers several color options
Renault offers several color options

The SpaceNomad's interior layout is quite familiar from the California and other midsize van campers. It accommodates passengers on buyer's choice of two-seat or sliding three-seat rear bench. Either way, those seats fold down into a 49 x 74-in (124 x 188-cm) bed.

Next to the bed, the driver-side kitchen block houses the dual-burner stove, sink and 49-L fridge. A full-height multi-cabinet storage console sits behind the kitchen.

The SpaceNomad includes a full kitchen block, convertible rear seating/bed, pop-up sleeper roof and plenty of storage
The SpaceNomad includes a full kitchen block, convertible rear seating/bed, pop-up sleeper roof and plenty of storage

The SpaceNomad comes standard with a low-profile pop-up roof that ducks below 6.6 feet (2 m) when closed and is designed to have minimal effect on handling or fuel consumption. Once popped, the fabric sidewalls of the roof enclose a 47 x 79-in (120 x 200-cm) bed, completing the van's four-person sleeping arrangements. The bed lifts out of the way during the day to open headroom over top the downstairs living area.

A slim solar panel atop the roof helps keep the leisure battery charged enough to power the fridge, LED lights, USB ports and water pump. Renault estimates that with the solar panel comfortably bathed in sunlight, leisure battery life extends from 48 to 72 hours, turning a camping weekend into an extended three-day stay.

The SpaceNomad does not include a full bathroom but it does come with a rear outdoor shower
The SpaceNomad does not include a full bathroom but it does come with a rear outdoor shower

The SpaceNomad also includes a standalone indoor/outdoor table that stores in back. When used inside the van, the table works with the rear seats and the front swivel seats.

Out on the road, the new SpaceNomad benefits from Renault tech like the 8-in infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, and driver assistance like lane departure warning, emergency brake assist and driver alertness monitor.

The Renault SpaceNomad includes a retractable awning
The Renault SpaceNomad includes a retractable awning

Renault previewed the new Trafic SpaceNomad at last year's Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, where the production model joined the fanciful Hippie Caviar Hotel and a few other Renault-based campers. It launches the new camper van this month, adding France and Belgium to Switzerland as available markets. Plans announced at Düsseldorf laid out bringing the van to five new European markets in all, with Austria, Denmark and Germany joining the others.

The SpaceNomad starts at CHF59,990 (approx. US$61,950) in Switzerland. Renault will manufacture the Trafic vans at its Sandouville plant before sending them across France to Angers for conversion by RV manufacturer Groupe Pilote.

Source: Renault

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