Renault loads two turbos into Master

RENAULT has freshened its biggest light commercial vehicle offering, with a new higher powered twin-turbo engine, mild facelift and a variety of new kit now available for the Master van.

The mid-life update also brings a handful of new variants with a long-wheelbase rear-drive version arriving alongside front-drive Window and Platform Cab options specifically intended for retro conversion.

With an extra turbo, the 2.3-litre diesel engine gains an additional 10kW and 10Nm of torque over the single-turbo engine but increased efficiency and idle-stop cuts fuel consumption significantly from 8.3 litres per 100km to 6.9L/100km. Emissions also fall from 227g/km to 180g/km.

Only vehicles optioned with the six-speed manual gearbox will benefit from the new 120kW/360Nm double-turbo engine with six-speed automatic versions continuing to use the single-turbo 2.3-litre engine with 110kW and 350Nm of torque.

The new range kicks off with the smallest variant in the line-up and the front-wheel drive, short-wheelbase low-roof version, priced from $40,990 before on-road costs.

The new entry level van is the only variant available with both single- and twin-turbo engines, and a de-tuned 100kW version of the new engine, which is the cheapest.

Moving up to the 120kW version adds $1000 to the price of the base low-roof, while the 110kW single turbo variant is the most affordable automatic version at $43,490.

A rear-wheel drive addition has boosted the payload of the front-drive long-wheelbase mid-height roof version from 1540kg to 2207kg and is available with either manual or automatic transmission, priced at $49,990 and $52,490 respectively.

The only variant in the Master range that is not available with a manual gearbox is the other new entry to the mid-roof LWB line-up – the Window Van from $50,490.

A new platform cab also joins the front-wheel drive Master ranks aimed at independent body-fitting businesses such as mobile home and special purpose vehicle manufacturers, costing $41,490 for the manual or $43,990 with an automatic transmission.

Renault's Master Cab Chassis line-up pricing is unchanged apart from a slight adjustment of entry level single-cab prices which have risen by $1000 to $46,990 and $49,990.

With the exception of the Cab Chassis range, prices of the previous Master variants have increased by either $500 or $1000. See pricing table.

Variants are available in various combinations of short-, medium-, long- and extra long-wheelbases, low-, mid-height and high-roofs, Platform Cab, Single or Dual Cab Chassis bodies and a choice of either manual or automatic transmissions, driving front or rear wheels.

Payload capacity varies from 1540kg to 2490kg, while load bay capacity starts at 8.0 cubic metres for the entry level vans, and expands to 17 cubic metres in the extra long-wheelbase variants.

The Master's new nose is recognisable by a re-pressed bonnet featuring an extension of the radiator grille, which now houses the Renault diamond badge.

An update to the Renault's ESP stability program is also included in all 2015 Master vans which brings hill start, trailer swing assist and Grip Xtend.

Hill start holds the brakes on for hill starting and prevents the Master rolling backwards especially when heavily loaded, the trailer swing assist helps to maintain the stability of trailers when cruising at speed, while Grip Xtend uses wheel braking and traction control to allow progress on slippery surfaces.

Standard safety features include airbags for both front occupants, reverse parking sensors, double aspherical mirrors and auto door locking.

Side airbags, alarm, cornering headlights, fog-lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and a reverse camera can all be added to the Master range as options.

All variants of the the Renault Master get air-conditioning, electric windows, CD/MP3 player with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, trip computer, an overhead storage compartment, chilled glovebox and the dual passenger seat folds into a table for the driver.

Extra kit can be added optionally including satellite navigation, climate control and a selection of additional storage compartments.

Master load bays have tie-down points, a 12-volt power socket, glass divide for cabin area, illumination, mid-height lining, a sliding side door and rear doors that open to 270 degrees.

As its name would suggest the new Window Van variant features full side glazing as well as fog-lights, rear-window demister, suspended drivers seat and extra storage as standard, but can have unglazed panels or an opening window fitted to sliding door and opposite panel for no extra cost.

2014 Renault Master pricing*

Vans
L1H1 SWB 100kW FWD	$40,990 (+$500)
L1H1 SWB 120kW FWD	$41,990
L1H1 SWB 110kW FWD (a)	$43,490 (+$500)
L2H2 MWB 120kW FWD	$45,490 (+$500)
L2H2 MWB 110kW FWD (a)	$47,990 (+$500)
L3H2 LWB 120kW FWD	$46,990 (+$1000)
L3H2 LWB 110kW FWD (a)	$49,490 (+$1000)
L3H2 LWB Window Van 110kW FWD (a)	$50,490
L3H2 LWB 120kW RWD	$49,990
L3H2 LWB 110kW (a)	$52,490
L4H3 ELWB 120kW RWD	$51,990 (+$500)
L4H3 ELWB 110kW RWD (a)	$54,490 (+$500)
Platform cabs
L3 120kW FWD	$41,490
L3 110kW FWD (a)	$43,990
Cab/Chassis
L3 Single Cab 120kW RWD	$46,990 (+$1000)
L3 Single Cab 110kW RWD (a)	$49,490 (+$1000)
L4 Single Cab 120kW RWD	$47,990
L4 Single Cab 110kW RWD (a)	$50,490
L4 Dual Cab 120kW RWD	$51,490
L4 Dual Cab 110kW RWD (a)	$53,990

*Excludes on-road costs.