Renault delivers facelifted Master pricing

RENAULT’S comprehensively updated Master large van will arrive at dealerships next month, priced from $44,990 plus on-road costs and featuring substantial cabin upgrades and load area tweaks to go with the refreshed exterior styling.

In return for price rises of around $1000 across the board, a new dashboard layout is provided with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration added to a better-integrated 7.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system.

The instrument panel has also been refreshed with a 3.5-inch trip computer display.

As well as modernising the dash, updating the steering wheel and gear selector and adding more visually appealing touches such as chrome trim on the air-conditioning vents and controls, Renault has provided a number of open and lidded compartments adding up to 105 litres of in-cab storage capacity.

The company says it has also improved the longevity and quality of the Master’s upholstery fabric.

Van body styles gain LED lighting and redesigned grabhandles to ease access through the rear barn doors, as well as the side when sliding doors are optioned.

On the outside, Renault has redesigned the front fascia with a more horizontal headlight design that reflects the C-shaped daytime running light signature of its passenger cars, while a narrower and taller new chrome-framed grille combines with the higher and shorter bonnet to create a more squared-off look.

Buyers can also now opt for a new ‘Urban Grey’ paint finish as a no-cost option over the basic Glacier White. Metallic is $1000 extra, with shades comprising Star Grey and Pearlescent Black unless customers are willing to wait for a special-order vehicle in which case metallic Tempest Blue is available along with a broader selection of flat shades such as Persian Blue, Chrome Yellow, Orange, Carmen Red and Caribbean Blue.

As previously, the Master van is available in four lengths and three roof heights with load volumes ranging from eight to 13 cubic metres.

Long-wheelbase vans can be specified with front- or rear-wheel-drive layouts, with the extended long-wheelbase being rear-drive only.

No drivetrain updates have been applied, so all Masters continue to share a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

Front-drive models can be had with a six-speed manual or automated manual transmission ($2000 extra). Rear-drive versions are exclusively manual but come with a rear step as standard.

Engine power and torque outputs remain at 120kW/360Nm courtesy of two turbos when paired with a manual gearbox or 110kW/350Nm with the automated transmission and a single turbo. A differential lock can be specified on rear-drive Masters for $1000.

Both the bus and cab-chassis are based on the front-drive long-wheelbase platform and come with the automated transmission as standard.

A Trade Pack option is available for $1600 and comprises full-height timber wall and floor lining, LED ceiling lights and a rear step for front-drive variants.

A $1000 Business Pack adds foglights, keyless entry and additional chrome trim inside and out.

Manual-gearbox Masters can also be specified with a $1000 Convenience Pack that includes lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, front parking sensors and automatic high beam.

Adding a glazed or metal sliding doors on the driver’s side is an $800 option (glazing is not available with the Trade Pack). A suspension driver’s seat – which deletes the airbag – is also $800. Going for dual front seats instead of a bench gains dual side airbags and costs $200.

Renault also offers a customisation service for its commercial vehicles through the Pro+ dealership network.

Master maintenance intervals are 12 months and up to 30,000km, with three years/90,000km of capped-price servicing available. The standard inclusion of one year’s roadside assist can also be extended up to four years if customers use an authorised Renault dealership for servicing.

Unlike most Renault passenger cars that come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, the company’s commercial vehicles are covered for three years with unlimited kilometres.

The Master has become one of Australia’s most popular large vans, second only to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter since 2014 and overtaking the Sprinter in light bus sales last year.

In 2019, Renault sold 1450 Master vans (-5.5% on the year prior) and 116 buses (-40.2%).

Aside from the dominant Mercedes, which in 2019 sold 3349 Sprinter vans (+18.8%) and 81 buses (-61.8%), rivals include the Fiat Ducato (1044, -11.1%), Ford Transit (963, +19.6%), Volkswagen Crafter (796 vans, +57.6%, plus two buses) and Iveco Daily (238, -11.5%).

2020 Renault Master pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs.