THE ALL NEW Master Van

NEW MASTER,

A MORE EXTENSIVE RANGE OF ECONOMICAL VEHICLES

New Master's assertive styling previews the new design trend for Renault vans, with businesslike, expressive lines that reflect the robustness and outstanding user-friendliness expected of a large van.

The cab offers the market's biggest range of practical and convenient stowage solutions. Shaped around the specific requirements of business users and the equipment they need for their everyday work, these solutions are both user-friendly and perfectly integrated into the interior design.

New Master aims to deliver car levels of comfort thanks to a complete reappraisal of the driving position and controls, enhanced visibility and the availability of a raft of new features normally associated with cars.

New Master is powered by the new 2.3 litre dCi engine which was engineered to take on board the specific requirements of commercial vehicle users. The powerplant range includes three power outputs (100, 125 and 150hp) and is identical for both the front-wheel drive (transversally mounted) and rear-wheel drive versions (longitudinal).

With an average fuel economy gain over the current Master range of up to 4.1 mpg, the front-wheel drive panel van versions of New Master return class-leading combined-cycle fuel consumption (NEDC) from 33 mpg (187g of CO₂/km). Servicing costs have been slashed by 28 per cent compared with the previous model in the UK and figure among the lowest on the market.

Thanks to the new rear-wheel drive versions, the range has been extended to include an additional length option (L4, offering a carrying capacity of up to 22m³). Also new are 3.5 and 4.5 tonne versions with twin rear wheels, as well as features that give coachbuilders greater scope for conversions.

New Master will be manufactured at Renault's SOVAB* plant in Batilly, France.

(*) SOVAB (Société des Véhicules Automobiles de Batilly) is a wholly-owned Renault subsidiary.

 

1. ASSERTIVE STYLING

New Master boasts a brand new design which previews the new styling trend for Renault vans. Its assertive, expressive lines preview the robustness and outstanding user-friendliness expected of a big van.

Forceful looks 

New Master's bold front-end styling features a broad grille and large, expressive headlamps. The muscular wheel arches and blunt bonnet convey a sense of power, while the distinctive forms of the asymmetric rear windows has become one of Master's visual hallmarks. The model's unmistakable rear lighting signature is founded on three triangular stop lights. 

Robust lines and purposefully practical

New Master's ruggedness is clearly evident in its pleasing proportions, prominent protective bumpers and broad side protection mouldings. The rear lights are wider than those of the previous model and give the vehicle a more grounded, reassuring stance. 

The styling work of the design team was steered by a concerted effort to produce a vehicle that was above all practical:

• the three height variants were designed concurrently in order to ensure balanced, pleasing proportions across the Master range,
• the side windows were designed to provide maximum visibility,
• the stronger, big door handles provide a secure grip,
• steps have been carefully incorporated in the front bumpers to make it easy to reach the windscreen,
• the incorporation of direction indicators in the door mirror housings is an appreciable safety plus.

2. THE NEW BENCHMARK FOR CABIN STOWAGE  

New Master's cab boasts the market's biggest range of practical and convenient stowage spaces. These driver-friendly, fully-integrated solutions have been designed to accommodate the paraphernalia of everyday working life.

 Among its myriad of features are:

 

- Full-width parcel shelf. 

 

- Provision for fitment of the tachograph. 

- Sunglasses holder. 

- A dashboard compartment to accommodate a laptop computer and/or A4-size documents. 

- A large oddments tray above the glovebox. 

- A mobile phone holder with a 12V socket for charging, a coin holder and a holder for cards or motorway toll tickets - all within easy reach of the steering wheel. 

- An MP3 player holder close to a second 12V socket, plus audio connectivity. 

- Four can holders and a removable ashtray. 

- A large 7.6 litre chilled glovebox (with optional climate control) with capacity for two 1.5-litre bottles. 

- Capacious door bins incorporating internal divisions and space for a 1.5-litre bottle. 

- Numerous trays to accommodate items such as keys, gloves, folding umbrellas, etc.

Roomy under-seat stowage accessible by lifting up the cushion of the passenger seat. The uninterrupted space allows larger items to be stashed away. 

A fully-fledged workspace in the cab 

New Master sees the launch of two major innovations which enhance the workspace inside the cab:

• a retractable document holder on the dashboard, positioned so as not to obstruct the driver's vision. Delivery documentation and other paperwork can be clipped onto this holder.
• a swivelling table mounted on the back of the centre seat which pivots round to face the driver. The design incorporates an adjustable tray specially designed to house a laptop computer. It can also be used as a desk for writing and includes two cup-holders, as well as stowage space for stationery.

3. SALOON CAR COMFORT

New Master boasts a standard of comfort that is similar to that of a saloon car. The driver's environment has been extensively redesigned to ensure optimal comfort, even on long journeys. Special attention has been paid to Master's thermal and acoustic comfort, and the cab includes a long list of equipment more usually associated with cars.

A comfortable, user-friendly driver's environment 

Not only is the cabin more comfortable, but it also accommodates tall occupants with ease, thanks to an extra 5.7cm in cabin length, most of which has been devoted to providing extra legroom.

In order to deliver a standard of comfort expected of a car, Renault has made a concerted bid to make the cab even more driver-friendly: 

• the driver's seat cushion is wider and longer, while the seat itself comes with a comfortable armrest,
• the driver's seatback is more reclined, and the smaller-diameter steering wheel is set in a more vertical position for easier manoeuvring,
• the combination of the height-adjustable steering wheel and the range of seat-adjustment possibilities allows drivers to find the ideal driving position with ease,
• precise alignment of the seat, steering wheel and pedals helps minimise any subconscious effort made by drivers to correct their driving position during the course of a long journey,
• comfort is further enhanced by the conveniently-placed controls (gearshift lever, audio controls, switches, etc.).

The optional suspension seat is particularly well suited to drivers who clock up a high number of miles. It can be adjusted according to the weight of the driver (from 40 to 130kg) and is equipped with a choice of two cushion angles, a pneumatic lumbar adjustment system and an adjustable headrest. It is compatible with a heated seat.

Thermal and acoustic comfort

New Master is equipped with an efficient climate control system for rapid attainment of the desired temperature, precise and easy-to-use controls, a quiet fan and improved distribution of airflow.

Careful attention has been paid, too, to the thermal comfort and soundproofing of the cab. Core-range versions of New Master come with a standard full steel bulkhead. All the engines are equipped with a twin mass-damping flywheel which filters out vibrations, notably at low engine speeds.

A comprehensive list of equipment for saloon car levels of comfort

• Keyless locking allows users to lock and unlock doors without having to use the key. All they need to do is touch one of the front or rear exterior door handles' locking buttons. This feature is particularly useful when making frequent deliveries, for example. 
• Fixed cornering lights broaden the area illuminated by the lights at night when cornering and parking.
• An extensive audio range, with a choice of two different radio packages. The standard range system comprises a radio CD player with MP3 compatibility Bluetooth hands-free kit, and can be upgraded with multimedia connectivity for USB devices or an iPod. Albums and tracks can be selected via the steering wheel-mounted fingertip remote control, while song titles are displayed on the screen.
• The Carminat TomTom® navigation system incorporates IQ Routes^TM*. Moving the display to the top of the windscreen has enabled dashboard space to be freed up for stowage. The screen can be pivoted to the right or to the left to ensure the driver, or even the passengers, have the best possible view of the route.

(*) The TomTom IQ Routes^TM system uses real-world traffic patterns to calculate the quickest possible route to the driver's destination. By refreshing the TomTom® routings database with information derived from the actual journeys of millions of road users, the IQ Routes^TM system can compute the optimum route for the specific time of the day and day of the week.

4. OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

New Master ensures a degree of driving pleasure similar to that of a car, thanks to a range of fuel efficient engines which combine responsive acceleration with low CO₂ emissions. Its chassis delivers an efficient, comfortable ride whatever the load, while the new 2.3 dCi engine has been specifically developed for vans and is available in a choice of three power outputs (100, 125 and 150hp). It is transversally mounted in the case of front-wheel drive versions and longitudinally mounted on rear-wheel drive versions.

Handling and ride comfort similar to that of a passenger car

New Master is equipped with pseudo MacPherson-type front suspension, with a standard anti-roll bar to combat body roll. The rear suspension of front-wheel drive versions features a single-leaf spring arrangement, while rear-wheel drive versions come with either dual leaf springs or triple leaf springs (with twin rear wheels). Rear air suspension will be introduced in 2011 to facilitate further conversions. Ride comfort when carrying heavy loads is ensured by the fitment of long, polyurethane bump stops. The standard tyre fitment is suitable for all types of use.

The precise, direct steering requires little effort when manoeuvring. Combined with a driving position which is more akin to that of a car, the small, more vertically-set steering wheel delivers a standard of driving comfort and manoeuvrability more readily associated with a family saloon.

The new 2.3 dCi engine: downsizing for a cocktail of performance and fuel economy

The new 2.3 dCi engine was developed specifically for Renault's LCV range. Despite the fact that its cubic capacity has been reduced by 200cc compared with that of the former 2.5 dCi, the 2.3 dCi engine delivers up to 30Nm extra torque and is available in a choice of three power outputs: 100, 125 and 150hp.

This new powerplant has been downsized to match the specific needs of business users, and this work has resulted in an average fuel consumption saving of up to 4.1 mpg over the previous-generation Master. Its combined cycle fuel consumption starts at 33 mpg (187g of CO₂/km) for front-wheel drive panel van versions. It is mounted transversally on front-wheel drive versions, and longitudinally in the case of rear-wheel drive versions.

 

• The entry level dCi 100 returns particularly low fuel consumption, while maximum torque stands at 280Nm. This flexible, discreet powerplant drives through a six-speed manual gearbox with carefully selected staging that makes it ideally suited to use in built-up areas.

 

• The dCi 125 represents a first-class balance between power output and fuel consumption. Its peak torque of 310Nm is available from 1,250rpm and delivers crisp acceleration from low revs. The best performance comes from the dCi 150 which is particularly enjoyable to drive. Acceleration is favoured by this engine's variable geometry turbocharger and gear ratios, while maximum torque is 350Nm at 2,500rpm.

All three engines are available with a manual six-speed gearbox, but the dCi 125 and dCi 150 can both be ordered with Quickshift transmission. The standard gearshift indicator is designed to help drivers judge when to change gear for greater control over fuel consumption.

All the engines that figure in the New Master range are Euro5 compliant.

Optimised traction in all load configurations

Rear-wheel drive versions of New Master feature a highly resistant monocoque construction (whereby the body forms an integral part of the chassis). This solution provides a number of benefits, including a lighter vehicle weight for a higher payload and reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, as well as enhanced manoeuvrability and a lower sill height.

All versions of New Master are equipped with latest-generation ABS and adjustable front/rear brake bias. Rear-wheel drive versions come with load-sensing ESP and standard ASR traction control which ensure enhanced road holding and vehicle stability irrespective of load. The optional differential lock optimises traction performance on loose or slippery surfaces.

5. COST OF OWNERSHIP AMONG THE LOWEST ON THE MARKET

With an average fuel economy gain over the previous-generation Master range of 4.1 mpg, the front-wheel drive versions of New Master return class-topping NEDC combined-cycle fuel consumption as low as 33 mpg (187g of CO₂/km). Servicing costs have been slashed by 28 per cent compared with the previous model in the UK and figure among the lowest in the market.

Market-leading NEDC fuel consumption for front-wheel drive versions

New Master illustrates just how much progress Renault has made when it comes to reducing the fuel consumption of its commercial vehicles. Compared with the previous-generation Master, fuel consumption has been cut by an average of 1 litre/100 km in the case of front-wheel drive versions, and by up to 2.7 litres per 100 km on rear-wheel drive versions. These results flag up the front-wheel drive versions of New Master as the market leader regarding fuel economy (NEDC). Fuel consumption figures for the new range start at 33 mpg (187g/km of CO₂). These improvements represent a cost saving of €1,300 (£1,180) over a distance of 90,000 miles (based on a pre-tax diesel price of €0.87/litre). Master has an operating range of more than 870 miles on a single tank of fuel, which is almost 124 miles further than its predecessor.

These improvements have been achieved thanks notably to:

• the swirl effect of the new 2.3 dCi engine's fuel injection which favours efficient combustion,
• improved aerodynamics,
• optimised gear ratios for greater driving pleasure and lower fuel consumption.

Maintenance costs are among the lowest on the market

Maintenance costs in the UK have been cut by 28 per cent compared with the outgoing Master. This represents a saving of £1,000 over the course of 90,000 miles or four years. This saving has been made possible thanks to:

• an oil change interval extended to every 25,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first; this is 6,215 miles (or one year) more than before,
• a maintenance-free camshaft drive chain,
• brake pad and disc life improved by 20 per cent; New Master is fitted with a brake pad wear warning light on the dashboard,
• long-life coolant now allows change intervals to be extended to 100,000 miles compared with 74,500 previously.

The total cost of ownership has fallen by £1,650 on average over 90,000 miles or four years, whichever comes first, for a monthly saving of £33 (based on European figures and a pre-tax diesel price of €0.87/litre).

6. AN EXTENSIVE RANGE, NOW INCLUDING REAR-WHEEL DRIVE VERSIONS

Thanks to the introduction of the new rear-wheel drive version, the range has been extended to include an additional length option (L4, offering a carrying capacity of up to 22m³). Also new are 3.5 and 4.5 tonne versions with twin rear wheels, as well features that give coachbuilders greater scope for conversions.

A significantly broader range

New Master is one of the market's few large vans to offer the choice of either front- or rear-wheel drive. This is how the range has expanded:

• A new length option (L4) offering carrying capacity of up to 22m³ (17m³ on panel van) and a load length of up to 4.38 metres.
• 3.5 and 4.5 tonne versions with twin rear wheels permitting a higher payload,
• towing capacity of up to 3 tonnes, bringing the Gross Train Weight (GTW) to 7.5 tonnes,
• greater scope for conversions by coachbuilders.

The addition of these new versions means that the New Master range is unmatched at more than 350 configurations:

• 70 body options (panel van, combi, minibus, chassis-cab, platform cab, etc.) and a choice of four lengths (three wheelbases and two rear overhang options),
• three height options,
• a choice of front- or rear-wheel drive (with single or twin rear wheels),
• four GVWs: 2.8 tonnes, 3.3 tonnes, 3.5 tonnes (single or twin wheels) or 4.5 tonnes (twin wheels).

Additional scope for conversions

The suitability of New Master for conversions has been enhanced thanks to its basic design features and specific options. For example, the removable rear cross-member facilitates determination of the rear overhang and makes it easier for coachbuilders to convert. The availability of rear-wheel drive options will help New Master increase its market presence, especially in segments such as dropside, tippers, Box and Luton vans.

A range of accessories that meet the needs of business users

Certain accessories are available as original equipment options, guaranteeing a high standard of quality and an innovation for the market:

• reversing camera with screen incorporated in the sun visor,
• roof rack, available in a choice of four lengths (maximum carrying capacity: 200kg); a walkway and ladder can be ordered to facilitate loading and access,
• alarm with movement sensor in cargo carrying area

Made-to-measure load space

Thanks to a choice of four lengths and three heights, the New Renault Master range offers 12 different carrying capacities, ranging from 8m³ to 22m³. Moving the spare wheel to a position underneath the vehicle has resulted in extra carrying capacity.

The doors and access to the load space have been carefully designed:

• the sliding side door has been widened by 17cm, making it one of the widest on the market,
• left- and right-hand side sliding doors are available, enabling the vehicle to be loaded from either side,
• at the rear, access to the load-space is facilitated by one of the market's lowest sill heights: 548mm in the case of front-wheel drive versions, or 674mm in the case of rear-wheel drive versions (which have a step fitted as standard.)

7. SAFETY A PRIORITY 

Safety has always been at the heart of Renault's concerns and the company has designed New Master to be one of the safest vehicles in its segment thanks to a long list of high-end features.

Renault Master's passive safety equipment includes:

• a full complement of airbags (frontal and lateral airbags for driver and passenger), 
• seatbelts fitted with pretensioners and load limiters. 

New Master's all-round visibility is among the market's best. The revised forms of the windscreen and side windows, the steeply-raked bonnet and the raising of the driving position by 49mm have improved the vertical field of view by 1.3 degrees and the horizontal view by 7.2 degrees. 

To deliver top-level active safety, New Renault Master has:

• the market's shortest stopping distance (from 62 mph to standstill, laden, on a dry road surface): 44.7 metres in the case of front-wheel drive versions, and 46.6 metres in the case of rear-wheel drive versions. New Master is able to achieve this performance thanks to 302mm-diameter ventilated disc brakes at the front and 305mm-diameter solid discs at the rear. Other technologies aimed at maximising braking efficiency are ABS, emergency brake assist and engine torque overrun regulation,
• ESP is standard equipment for rear-wheel drive versions and optional in the case of front-wheel drive versions,
• Fixed cornering lights.

For the security of goods in the cargo area:

• full steel (standard) or glazed bulkhead,
• wood floor for standard duty (10mm gauge) or optional 15mm ply floor for heavy-duty use,
• ply lining panels to protect body sides (accessory fitment).