Renault’s all-new Master is available to pre-order now with prices starting from £33,500 for diesel versions and £42,500 for E-Tech 100% electric versions.
Unveiled late 2023 at the Solutrans event and showcased as the CV Show last month, the fourth-generation version gains a bolder new look, extra onboard space and comfort and a raft of new connected features to enhance useability. It also gets a wide range of powertrains, including fully electric and diesel variants from launch and a future hydrogen version.
It launches with a wide range of versions, ranging from 11 to 14.8m3, with a 40mm wider opening at the sliding side door and 100mm longer load. It also delivers greater payload capacity, length, width and volume.
The panel van line-up from launch offers a choice of medium and long wheelbase versions, the latter also available with a high roof.
Numerous derivatives are also available across the chassis cab and platform cab ranges to offer a basis for conversion.
The diesel line-up includes three diesel Blue dCi powertrains, delivering 130, 150 or 170hp, offering significantly enhanced fuel economy and lower emissions – still to be officially confirmed but due to be under 200g/km. Depending on the version, the engines can be paired to a six-speed manual gearbox or new nine-speed automatic gearbox.
The fully electric Master is said to boast record-high payload capacity (1,625kg), range and towing capability (2.5 tonnes). It’s powered by a 143hp/105kW motor, delivering 300Nm of torque. It gets an 87kWh battery that provides a WLTP range of up to 285 miles. A 130kW DC fast charge adds 142 miles of range in 30 minutes. A 22kW AC home charger tops up the battery from 10% to 100% in just under four hours.
Design delivers a more distinctive front-end bearing Renault’s new logo and larger full-LED headlamps in the Master’s signature C-shaped array around the grille, with the same pattern echoed at the rear.
A more aerodynamic approach to design means the bonnet is shorter, the windscreen is further forward and tilted, the wing mirrors, air intake ducts in the bumper and roofline slope are streamlined, and the rear is narrower. The sharper aerodynamics have also improved acoustic comfort in the interior.
The interior comes with comfort features such as a steering wheel already seen in the Renault passenger vehicle range and adjustable for height and reach. Gearbox controls for automatic versions are now on the steering wheel, freeing up space in the centre console. In total, the Master has some 135 litres of cabin storage space – up 25% – and spread across the dashboard, side cupholders, glove-box drawers, cab-ceiling slot and two storage tiers in the doors.
The cabin also doubles as a workstation, using the folded-down middle seat as a desk for a laptop, which can be stored in the base. There are also USB-C ports to power devices. Seat choices include suspension and swivelling variants, individual seats and three types of benches (two fabric and one TEP).
Equipment features include OpenR Link multimedia system with a 10-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility as standard in every version and new functionalities due to launch in time.
Using the OpenR Link multimedia system with Google built-in capabilities also opens the door to creating custom apps for converted vehicles. Three apps are available at the launch: one for fire brigades, one for mobile workshop conversions and one for refrigerated vehicle conversions.
The Master E-Tech 100% electric comes with exclusive functions to simplify the transition to electric mobility while Mobilize Power Solutions, part of Renault Group, can provide a range of made-to-measure charging solutions for company premises, on the road and at employees’ homes.
The new Master comes with 20 driver assistance systems that include lateral stability, automatic emergency braking and trailer stability assist functions. It also features Intelligent Speed Assist, to help the driver stay within the speed limit, while a new power-assisted dynamic braking control system boosts effectiveness no matter how loaded the van is and also halves the time for the automatic emergency braking system to reaction. The new braking system also enhances regenerative braking, extending range on the electric version.
