The New Renault Master, which builds on a success story that has seen more than 3 million sold since its 1980 introduction, is available to pre-order now with prices starting from £33,500 for diesel versions and £42,500 for E-Tech 100% electric versions.
The Renault Master’s success over these 40-plus years and three generations has ranked it as a long-standing leader in its category in Europe. Renault Master vans have found their way on to the roads of more than 50 countries and the fourth-generation version is set to extend this success.
The New Master E-Tech 100% electric made its UK premiere at the highly attended Commercial Vehicle Show in late April 2024, positioned alongside the recently-launched Renault Trafic E-Tech electric and the multi-award winning Kangoo E-Tech electric. The New Master E-Tech 100% electric now completes the electrified LCV Renault range, giving customers the choice between both electric and ICE powertrains across all models.
INNOVATIVE DESIGN
AN INTERIOR THAT DOUBLES AS A WORKSTATION
The New Renault Master’s high-grade interior mirrors that of a passenger vehicle. The S-shaped dashboard facing the driver adds to the air of spaciousness. The materials have a premium feel and the 10-inch screen – which comes as standard across the line-up – adds a visually pleasing high-tech touch. Dark upholstery enhances the contemporary, ultra-modern style.
The steering wheel is from the Renault passenger vehicle range, and is adjustable for height and reach. Automatic versions now have the transmission controls on the steering wheel, opening up even more space in the centre console.
The 135 litres of total cabin storage space – a 25% increase over the previous generation – ranks this generation as the market leader. The available space is spread across the dashboard, side cupholders, closed glove-box, cab-ceiling slot and two storage tiers in the doors.
The New Renault Master effortlessly turns into an office on wheels. The back of the middle seat folds down into a desk, the base houses a slot to store a laptop, and there are USB-C ports to power devices. Every detail is intended for intensive everyday use. The non-abrasive and sturdy TEP-lined seat edges, for instance, make it easier to get in and out of the van and are highly resistant to wear.
DISTINCTIVE EXTERIOR STYLING
The New Renault Master’s show-stopping design adds a clearly defined identity, attractive looks and a modern feel.
Its design also conveys dependability, durability and safety. Its distinctive front end includes Renault’s new logo and the extra-large full-LED headlamps in the signature C-shaped array around the grille. Customers have a choice of seven body colours as standard and over 300 special hues.
The proportions have been meticulously fine-tuned to strike the right balance for each body type. The rear is narrower to optimise aerodynamics, but the rear opening and load area are remarkably large nevertheless. The rear window is asymmetrical – a typical Master feature – and the rear lights have a distinctive C-shaped pattern like the ones at the front.
A great deal of development work was invested into perceived quality and toughness. The fact that each side panel is a single part, for example, adds to the solid look – especially in the longer versions – and they are extra stiff so they will not warp. Perceived quality in the cargo area is also higher, spanning as far as the reinforcements and other internal details.
ENHANCED EFFICIENCY VIA ADVANCED AEROVAN DESIGN
New Renault Master’s aerodynamics ensure it maximises efficiency, regardless of how it is powered. Its Scx is more than 20% lower, and substantially below that of the previous generation.
Even the smallest details contribute to the smoother design: 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.
As the vehicle is too large for the wind tunnel that Renault typically uses in Saint-Cyr, the aerodynamic development studies were conducted using 83% scale models. The full-size vans were then tested in a tunnel built to assess aircraft aerodynamics.
All this work has significantly improved efficiency in the ‘real world’. The New Renault Master’s CO2 emissions are 39g/km lower than the previous generation, and now below 200g/km*. Its aerodynamics contribute to considerably lower energy consumption in the electric versions with a 20% improvement on the current Master.
*awaiting full UK CO2 homologation
FLEXIBLE & EFFICIENT POWERTRAINS
Regardless of the powertrain they choose, customers of the New Renault Master will drive the one of the most highly efficient vehicles in the category. This will lower their operating costs, and their vans will also be able to carry an increased payload (up to 2 tonnes). The New Renault Master is designed to go further, carry more and cost less.
EFFICIENT DIESEL BLUE DCI ENGINES
Three diesel Blue dCi powertrains, delivering 130, 150 or 170hp, are available with the New Master. They consume substantially less fuel (1.5 litres less per 100km on average) and emit less CO2 (39 grams less per km, below 200g/km). Depending on the version, the engines can be paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a highly efficient new 9-speed automatic gearbox.
100% ELECTRIC
The fully-electric New Renault Master is powered by a 105kW motor, delivering 300Nm of torque. It benefits from a 87 kWh battery that provides a WLTP range of up to 285 miles.
As a result, the New Renault Master E-Tech boasts record-high payload capacity (1,625kg)), range and towing capability (2.5 tonnes). Energy consumption is a WLTP standardised 21 kWh/100km with the large 87 kWh battery, thanks to the battery heat management system. A 130kW DC fast charge adds 142 miles of range in just 30 minutes. A 22kW AC home charger tops up the battery from 10% to 100% in just under four hours.
INCREASED TECHNOLOGY
A UNIQUE BRAKING SYSTEM
The novel power-assisted dynamic braking control system in the New Renault Master keeps braking effectiveness and pedal feel the same regardless of how much weight the van is carrying. It also triggers the automatic emergency braking system sooner (response time has been halved) and enhances regeneration, extending the range of the electric versions.
20 DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS
The New Renault Master’s set of 20 driver assistance systems maximises safety for the people in and around it. Its active safety features include its lateral stability, automatic emergency braking and trailer stability assist systems. It also comes with Intelligent Speed Assist, to help the driver stay within the speed limit.
ALL THE LATEST CONNECTIVITY
The New Renault Master provides all the connectivity that today’s van users require. The OpenR Link multimedia system – the most intuitive on the market – comes as standard with every model. It includes a 10-inch screen and wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections to replicate a smartphone screen. This system is also smart and scalable: it will grow to encompass new functionalities over time, with free over-the-air updates (like smartphone updates) for more than 20 apps, for five years.
OpenR Link with Google built-in: more connected and more efficient (standard on Extra trim)
This is the first time the ultra-modern OpenR Link system with Google built-in capabilities is available in an LCV. The system was developed with Google, runs on Android Automotive OS 12, and includes Google Maps navigation capabilities, the Google Play app catalogue and the voice-controlled Google Assistant.
Drivers of the New Renault Master can connect the system to their Google account – like their smartphone – for an optimal online experience. The modular interface displays Google Maps by default and you can add two widgets (the choice includes Music, Telephone, Google Assistant, Vehicle, Date and time, Tyre pressure and more). Then you can use the menu bar to the left of the screen to effortlessly navigate around the universes (Home screen/Google Maps, Music, Apps, Vehicle). There is also an optional wireless smartphone charger to avoid cable cluttering.
Google Assistant for extra convenience throughout the working day
OpenR Link is simple, intuitive and works like a tablet. You can interact with it using the touchscreen or your voice via Google Assistant (for instance if you want to listen to music). Google integration is available as an option on Advance and standard from Extra. You can also use this hands-free virtual assistant to listen to the news, check the weather forecast, adjust the air conditioning or switch the heating on or off, for example, without taking your eyes off the road. If you link your Google account to OpenR Link, Google Assistant can also be proactive – for instance suggesting a destination based on your habits.
Handy apps for professionals
Google Play has a growing catalogue of apps including several that are especially useful for professionals at work. For instance:
- Vivaldi, an Internet browser you can use on the 10-inch screen to read emails and open attachments, edit documents, watch tutorials or even watch YouTube videos on your lunch break, all more conveniently than on a smartphone. Vivaldi’s home page is configured to display handy links to Gmail, Outlook, Office and a Renault e-guide. You can also customise your bookmarks to skip straight to whichever ones you want, as you would on a tablet or laptop.
- EasyPark, which you can use to pay for public parking – and only pay for as long as you stay – the sim