Following the successful release of the stylish Trafic, Renault has added extra volume to its commercial vehicle range with the release of the Master van and cab-chassis line-up.

Available in a range of sizes, Renault offers business customers the choice of three wheelbases, two roof heights and the choice of closed (van) or an open (cab-chassis) version.

Powered by a 2.5-litre dCi 120 engine, the Master combines performance with economy thanks to the combination of an efficient direct injection turbo diesel matched to a Renault six-speed manual gearbox.

Designed and developed by the Corporate Design Department at the Renault Technocentre in France, Master boasts resolutely modern styling that evokes dynamism and strength: large headlamps, vertically set rear lamp clusters and the distinctive shape of its wheel arches.

The Master comes with a combination of active and passive safety features including a standard driver’s airbag with seatbelt pretensioner and ABS brakes with EBD and brake assist.

In total there are five variants of the Master - three wheelbases and two roof heights plus a cab chassis. All five come standard with air conditioning.

All variants can be optioned with an Integral pack which adds a passenger airbag - designed to offer protection to both front seat passengers – an alarm, power windows, mirrors and central locking.

The Master is also available in 4 colours – Glaciar white, Carmen red, Altantic blue and Cosmic silver, the latter being a metallic paint finish.

Master provides a useful load volume ranging from 8m3 for the L1H1 to 12.6m3 for the L3H2. The width of the door openings (rear doors and sliding side door), and the extra-low sill (from 51cm), together with the vertical sides, provide a completely cubical load space. The rear doors can open through 180°.

Renault has taken into account the needs of its business customers when developing the maintenance and service policy for the Master. To reduce down time, the Master’s major service intervals are at 30,000 kilometres, while there are 15,000 kilometre minor services (oil changes). Like all Renaults, the Master is also covered by a three-year or 100,000km warranty.

Pricing for the Master starts at $38,690* for the Master Cab Chassis, while the Master vans start from $39,990* for the L1H1 rising to $43,490 for the Integral pack on the L3H2.

According to Renault’s commercial vehicle manager, Adam Le Fevre, the Master will appeal to business customers seeking a full-size van with excellent performance and comfort.

“The Master stands out in the market with its up-to-date design, wide range of sizes and high level of standard features,” Mr Le Fevre said.

“Master has the potential to command a strong position in the Australian van market,” said Mr Le Fevre.

*Prices are recommended retail only and do not include dealer delivery or government charges or optional extras including metallic paint.

Design and features

The Master’s front end has taut lines, emphasized by the large headlamp housings with their teardrop shape, and a wrap-around bumper for better protection. It also features a "honeycomb" grille with inset Renault diamond logo.

The expressive shape of the rear lamp clusters repeats the signature styling of the Renault range. Finally, the side and rear protective mouldings reinforce the robust appearance of the vehicle.

The vehicle is a natural workplace for the tradesperson on the move.

The dashboard draws inspiration from the Trafic and has been designed to make it comfortable for occupants to use.

The gear lever, which is built into the dashboard, is more driver-friendly and the inclusion of a foldaway elbow-rest for the driver’s seat facilitates gearchanging.

The driving position of Master optimizes operating conditions. The driver's seat has three-way adjustment (height, longitudinal and backrest angle). The four-spoke steering wheel has a large diameter for greater comfort.

Features such as trip computer, power assisted steering, in-dash CD player with fingertip remote control and the acoustic quality of the vehicle also contribute to driving comfort.

The cigarette lighter and 12V power point allow an electronic organizer and a mobile telephone to be recharged simultaneously. The digital clock and the display of outside air temperature on the remote radio display complete the specification. Finally, an Integral pack, comprising passenger airbag, alarm, electric windows, remote central locking and electrically heated and operated door mirrors, is available as an option.

The alarm fitted with the Integral pack option monitors both the cabin space - via ultrasonic sensors - and the load area by monitoring of the rear doors.

The power assisted steering, which takes into account the load capacity, provides greater ease of operation.

Stowage spaces are cleverly placed and distributed around the cabin for business use. They allow the driver always to keep the most essential working documents immediately to hand. In the central section of the dashboard, the stowage under the cowl and the vertical rack-type stowage are intended for A4 documents.

The chilled glovebox, with a lockable lid and interior lighting, has a volume of 5.2 litres, ideal for keeping frequently used valuable objects in complete security. The open stowage housed in the upper section adds a further 5 litres of stowage space, depending on whether or not the passenger airbag is fitted.

At each end of the dashboard, a cupholder situated beneath the ventilation inlet can accommodate drink cans. Master also provides two stowages in the door bins, each capable of holding a 2-litre bottle plus A4 documents.

Safety

Renault’s expertise in safety is applied to the entire commercial and passenger vehicle range. Master was the object of a stringent design specification. Master is equipped as standard with ABS and EBD. This system, together with the four disc brakes, ensures excellent distribution of braking effort and ultra-short braking distances. Master also has Emergency Brake Assist coupled to the ABS, a unique feature in this market segment.

Finally, the door mirrors with their double field of vision reduce any blind-spot effect, for added safety.

The passive safety system comprises one or two airbags. The 45-litre driver’s airbag is standard, while an optional 100-litre passenger airbag provides protection for occupants of the bench seat . The vehicle is equipped with head restraints for all seat positions, while the outboard front seats benefit from height-adjustable three-point safety belts. The driver’s seatbelt comes standard with a pretensioner combined with a load limiter, while the passenger’s safety belts are equipped with pretensioners and load limiters when the optional airbag is fitted.

The safety specification is completed by a seatbelt reminder warning light, and a collapsible steering column which limits rearward movement of the steering wheel in case of a frontal impact.

Goods security has been enhanced with the adoption of the exclusive Renault Anti-Intruder Device (RAID) if the vehicle is equipped with central door locking. All the doors are locked as soon as the vehicle exceeds 8kph, for optimum protection from theft or physical aggression towards the occupants.

Drive line

The proven 2.5 dCi 120 engine in the Master produces high torque at low engine speeds, helping it to combine performance with ease of driving. The 2.5 dCi 120 common-rail turbo-diesel engine delivers a torque output of 290Nm at 1,600rpm and 84kW of power.

It is teamed with the "PK6" manual gearbox which, with its sixth speed, improves motorway fuel consumption and acoustic comfort. Gearchange operation is more precise, with reduced movement and effort. The new gear ratios improve response and help to keep the engine in its best operating range, to the benefit of fuel consumption and noise.

The Master has double wishbone front suspension with rocking upper arm, together with a wide track and this ensures precise control and good roadholding on dry or slippery surfaces, whatever the type of road. Good stability and ride comfort are guaranteed whatever the load being carried, thanks to this independent front suspension.

Variants

Master is available in three lengths designated L1 (4.89m), L2 (5.39m) and L3 (5.89m); in two heights dubbed H1 (2.25m) and H2 (2.49m) and in two vehicle types (open and closed goods transport) to satisfy a diverse range of requirements.

Renault’s LCV sales

When Kangoo and Master went on sale at the end of 1997, Renault's aim was to regain leadership of the European market for light commercial vehicles which the company had enjoyed for 12 years from 1981 to 1993. This objective was achieved in 1998 and put Renault's light commercial vehicle activities on the road to sound, profitable growth. During the subsequent four years, this success was consolidated and at the end of 2002, Renault became the leading LCV brand in Western Europe for the fourth year running.

At the end of June 2003, Renault retained its lead in Western Europe with 132,923 light commercial vehicle registrations for a market share of 14.8%.

Like its predecessor, New Master is made at SOVAB (SOciété Vehicles Automobiles de Batilly), in Batilly, eastern France. On June 6, 2003, SOVAB produced its millionth vehicle, a Master van.

Founded in 1980, the factory currently has two production lines, one of which builds Master for Renault while the other produces equivalent vehicles for sale under other brands. The factory has tripled its annual output since 1997 thanks to the success of Master, of which it has made more than 387,000 units since its launch.

Master Specifications

Version		L1H1	L1H2	L2H2	L3H2	CCL3H1
Volume		8m³	9.1m³	10.8m³	12.3m³	-
Transmission Type
6-speed gearbox		Std.	Std.	Std.	Std.	Std.
Speed km/h @
1000 tr/min
	in 1st gear	6.76	6.89	6.89	6.89	6.89
	in 2nd gear	12.64	12.88	12.88	12.88	12.88
	in 3rd gear	20.37	20.76	20.76	20.76	20.76
	in 4th gear	28.97	29.52	29.52	29.52	29.52
	in 5th gear	37.38	38.09	38.09	38.09	38.09
	in 6th gear	44.27	45.12	45.12	45.12	45.12
Steering
Turning Circle		12.07	12.07	13.75	15.2	15.2
Turns lock to lock		3.57	3.57	3.57	3.57	3.57
Axle size of front
anti-roll bar (mm)		26	26	26	26	26
Braking - ABS		3	3	3	3	3
Weight
Unladen
kerb weight (kg)		1802	1837	1879	1921	1632
Gross vehicle
weight (kg)		3300	3500	3500	3500	3500
Front gross vehicle
weight (kg)		1750	1850	1850	1850	1850
Rear gross vehicle
weight (kg)		1900	2060	2060	2060	2060
Gross train
weight (kg)		5300	5500	5500	5500	5500
Payload (kg)		1691	1663	1621	1579	1868
Towing weight braked(kg)
driver only		2000	2000	2000	2000	2000
Towing weight unbraked (kg)
driver only		750	750	750	750	750
Dimensions
Load platform length		2714	2714	3214	3714	3714
Wheelbase		3078	3078	3578	4078	3654
Overall length		4888	4888	5388	5888	5869
Overall width		1990	1990	1990	1990	1990
Overall height		2256	2496	2493	2490	2256
Platform height
unladen		545	545	541	538	-
Interior height		1670	1912	1912	1912	-
Interior width between
wheel arches		1282	1282	1282	1282	-
Maximum
interior width		1764	1764	1764	1764	-
Engine
Common rail
technology		3	3	3	3	3
Capacity		2463cc	2463cc	2463cc	2463cc	2463cc
Valves		16	16	16	16	16
Max power (kW)		84 (115HP)	84 (115HP)	84 (115HP)	84 (115HP)	84 (115HP)
Revs/min		3500	3500	3500	3500	3500
Max Torque (Nm)		290	290	290	290	290
Revs/min		1600	1600	1600	1600	1600
Fuel tank		100L	100L	100L	100L	100L
Fuel consumption -
urban cycle		10.7	10.7	10.7	10.7	10.7
Fuel consumption -
combined cycle		8.9	8.9	8.9	8.9	8.9

Version		Air	Integral
	Short Wheelbase Low Roof (L1H1)	$39,990	$41,490
	Short Wheelbase Mid Roof (L1H2)	$40,990	$42,490
	Medium Wheelbase Mid Roof (L2H2)	$41,490	$42,990
	Long Wheelbase Mid Roof (L3H2)	$41,990	$43,490
	Long Wheelbase Cab Chassi (L3H1)	$38,690	$40,190
Safety Features
	Driver's Front Airbag	Std.	Std.
	Power Assisted Steering	Std.	Std.
	Height Adjustable Driver's Seat	Std.	Std.
	Partition	Std.	Std.
	ABS
	with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution)	Std.	Std.
	Passenger Airbag	-	Std.
Comfort & Convenience
	2x15W Single-CD and Radio with
	Fingertip Remote Control	Std.	Std.
	Heat Reflecting Windscreen	Std.	Std.
	Bench Passenger Seat	Std.	Std.
	Driver's seat armrest	Std.	Std.
	Tinted windows	Std.	Std.
	Door Pockets	Std.	Std.
	Glove box with lock	Std.	Std.
	Air Conditioning	Std.	Std.
	Electric Windows & Electric Door Mirrors	-	Std.
	Remote Central Locking	-	Std.
	Alarm	-	Std.
	Two cup holders	Std.	Std.
	Dashboard Mounted Gear shift	Std.	Std.
	Manual Gearbox (6 speeds)	Std.	Std.
Loading Area
	Interior Lightning	Std.	Std.
Security Features
	Engine Immobiliser	Std.	Std.
Exterior Features
	Body Side Protection	Std.	Std.
	Side Impact Bars on Front Doors	Std.	Std.
	Side Loading Door (Left - Unglazed)	Std.	Std.
	Mini Hubcabs	Std.	Std.
	180° Opening Rear Doors (Glazed)	Std.	Std.
Trim
	Vague' Cloth Upholstery	Std.	Std.
Color
	Glacier White or Carmen red
	or Atlantic Blue	Std.	Std.
	Cosmic Silver (Metallic Paint)	Optional	Optional
Warranty
	3 years or 100,000 km	Std.	Std.
	Renault 24 hr Roadside Assistance	Std.	Std.