Because the Dacia Dokker can continue its career as a Renault, this brand thinks it has extra potential in the so-called large business market, where fleet managers place orders for hundreds of cars at the same time. We drove with the newcomer, for which the old name Express has been dusted off.
The last Dacia commercial vehicle will roll off the production line in June. The brand is turning away from this market completely, knowing it can never make a fist against the big boys. Fleet managers would prefer to shop for the richest possible range of delivery vans at as few car brands as possible, and then Dacia has nothing to offer. Moreover, it was in the way of Dacia that it never gives a discount, something that is customary with large customers, such as leasing companies. At the same time, Renault could use a cheaper delivery van, if only to avoid losing customers who are not interested in the technically more advanced new Kangoo. The division of roles envisioned by the importer is clear-cut: the Express, available from € 12,990 (excl. VAT/bpm) is becoming the fleet owner’s favorite, the Kangoo of ‘small business’, which includes the self-employed and SMEs. The Kangoo itself will follow in October, the importer is still negotiating the prices with the factory. The Express is already available.
More than a Dokker
Renault is hastening to report that the new Express is much more than a Dokker with a different front. Most important are the addition of blind spot warning, trailer stability assist and hill start assist. Evidence further provides the significantly upgraded interior. The dashboard kept roughly the same layout, including the display’s too low placement, but has become more sophisticated and modern. The instrumentation is very simple, the display does not have an exciting layout either, but it all functions well. Nice are the physical buttons for heating and ventilation, while for the radio you can go to the trusted satellite on the steering column. The seat is not great for tall people; the chair should be able to move back a decimetre. The addition of a monitor as a rear-view mirror is nice; the camera is placed above the rear doors. Works fine. There is no looking to the side, as with the Berlingo and associates, but the exterior mirrors are fortunately quite large. The loading space is as with the Dokker: maximum loading length 191 cm, width opening at the sliding door 71.6 cm, loading volume 3.3 m3, loading capacity 650 kg (diesels) or 780 kg (petrol version). The smaller of the two rear doors is difficult to open thanks to a rather hidden handle.
Gasoline
Petrol, the word was already spoken. Renault supplies the Express with the well-known TCe 100 engine, a 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 200 Nm at 1,500 rpm. Renault consciously includes it in the range for whom a diesel is not an option for whatever reason. The test drive showed that it is a nice little machine for those who like a bit of poking, because with 280 kg in the cargo hold he had to work hard for his money. The six-speed gearbox is exemplary and the operation is particularly light and easy. The steering is unfortunately rather vague, something that is undoubtedly heavier in the nose (Blue dCi 95). We can reassure those who aspire to the petrol version for the noise level: it does its job in silence, but except when accelerating it does not make a difference with the diesel. The latter is because of its much smoother engine character (240 Nm at 1,750-2,000 rpm) and quieter control without a doubt the finest of the two. The Express is also available as Blue dCi 75 with 220 Nm. The preliminary conclusion is quite positive, because with the Express you get a compact and affordable van that does not excel in refinement, but which at first glance does not make any major mistakes.