2010 Renault Master on sale in Europe from April, Australia in 2011

By Tim Beissmann | February 01st, 2010

Updated 01/02/10 with comments from Renault Australia.

Renault has unveiled the newest version of its Master van before its European launch in April.

Renault says the Master’s assertive styling – with its tall headlights and large, imposing grille – previews the new design trend for Renault vans.

Manufactured at Renault’s SOVAB plant in Batilly, France, the range has now expanded to offer:

A fourth length option offering carrying capacity of up to 17m³ and a load length of up to 4.38m
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 to 7.5 tonnes
Greater scope for conversions by coachbuilders

The addition of these new versions means the new Renault Master range is available in more than 350 configurations with more than 40 body options, four lengths, three height options, choice of front- or rear-wheel drive (with single or twin rear wheels) and four GVWs (2.8, 3.3, 3.5 and 4.5 tonnes).

With an average fuel economy gain over the current Master range of 1 litre/100km, the front-wheel drive versions of new Master return combined-cycle fuel consumption from 7.1 litres/100km and CO2 emissions as low as 187g/km. The fuel savings have translated to an increased range of almost 200km for some models, taking it out to 1400km on a single tank.

The new Master is powered by a 2.3-litre dCi engine including three power outputs (dCi 100, dCi 125 and dCi 150) and is identical for both the front-wheel drive (transversally mounted) and rear-wheel drive versions (longitudinal). Derived from the 2.0 dCi (M9R), the new engine is smaller than the G9U (2.5 litre dCi) but delivers more torque (up 30Nm).

Renault says servicing costs have been cut by 40 percent compared to the previous model, placing it among the best in its class.

The new Renault Master aims to become the segment’s benchmark for comfort thanks to a complete reappraisal of the driving position and controls, enhanced visibility and the availability of features normally associated with passenger cars including keyless locking, fixed cornering lights, automatic climate control, and optional Bluetooth/USB/iPod audio connectivity, reversing camera and heated seats.

Myriad storage spots come in the form of an overhead rack, dashboard compartment, A4 file shelf, mobile phone holder with charging socket, four can holders and removable ashtray, 7.6 litre chilled glovebox, door bins, under-seat stowage and various trays to name a few.

The Renault Master has been in the heavy commercial van business for more than 12 years and sold more than one million units in 45 markets worldwide.

Last year in Australia, Renault sold 122 Masters, giving it a 1.1 percent share of the 3501 to 7500kg GVM segment – down from 272 and 2.1 percent in 2008.

Renault Australia managing director, Rudi Koenig, said the new Master will arrive down under in 2011 with the introduction of rear-wheel drive versions and an increased GVM on some models up to 4.5 tonnes among the key improvements. He said it was still too early to confirm any price fluctuations.

Mr Koenig admitted 2009 was a difficult year for the Master but expects the outgoing model to reclaim some lost ground in 2010.

“The global economic situation, strong Euro for the first part of last year and the cost increases associated with the facelift/engine upgrades necessitated pricing increases which impacted our sales.

“This was especially the case with sales to large fleet operators where we could not repeat our 2008 sales volumes.

“The strengthening Australian dollar did enable us to improve our price competitiveness later in the year but not in time to take advantage of the June market spike (with the cessation of the government investment allowance for large companies).

“Our plan for 2010 is to claw back a substantial part of the lost ground,” he said.

James007

Great looking new van here from Renault, but how long will we in Australia have to wait to see it, if at all??

Renault will finally release the all new Kangoo LCV here in the next few months, some 2 years after it’s European launch!!!

I’ve also heard that Renault will only be releasing RenaultSport versions of the all new Megane in Australia. Seriously, what are they thinking??

Baddass

It would seem that with Renault sales at an all time low, and the Renaultsport versions of the Clio and Megane are the bestsellers of the range, it makes business sense to keep what is profitable and get rid of what isn’t.

Personally, I don’t see Renault having a future in Australia. Only selling the most expensive versions of your mainstream models isn’t a way to be successful. Renault weighed so much on the success of the Laguna, and subsequently suffered when the sales plummeted a short after launch.

BTW nice van. It looks best in that dark blue. That McDonalds’ cheese yellow colour is a turn-off though.

James007

Considering the only Clio model you can buy in Australia anyway, is the RenaultSport spec makes it hard, but when they were selling the regular Clio models, the regular models were the ones making up the most of the volume.

Also with the Megane, the 2.0L Petrol sedan is clearly the best selling Megane model in Australia, but when they introduce the new generation Megane, it’ll be a RenaultSport only model. Well, that’s just what I’ve read and heard anyway.

Most of Renaults vehicles are being made in Turkey or South Korea now, with only a few Australian spec models coming from France, so I don’t buy this whole, they’re too expensive to import here, argument.

You would have thought that Renault would have been given a helping hand by Nissan in Australia??

RK

If they’re going to focus in Australia on selling Renaultsport models, I hope that means we’ll at least start getting said Renaultsport models a bit earlier than 2 years after European release…
Paul

There’ll be a full range of Megane hatch models with 3 engines and 3 trans from August/Sept

Steve-Poyza

A full range? How do you know this?

James007

Oh CA, can’t you just make a dedicated ‘Renault Australia bitchfest’ thread, so we don’t have to highjack threads like this that have nothing to do with the vehicle posted!!

Anyway….

I’m really not sure if we will get the full range of the new generation Meganes?? Plus, I thought that once Renault started producing the Megane in South Korea as the Samsung SM3, that it would be then competitive to import Renault’s from there, just like the Koleos SUV??

And wasn’t there going to be a European Megane and a Global Megane?? The Global Megane was going to be cheaper to build and sell compared to the European version.

They also ned to start building the Clio in South Korea too and sell it there as the Samsung SM1 or something and then import it to Australia as a Renault. That, or start bringing in Dacia’s badged as Renaults.
CrustyTheClown

Renault said if they didnt do 3000 units per year they would pull the plug and depart AUS.

Last year they did 2400……

GUYS, here is some free advice, forget the prestooge, you have NONE, import the Dacia while you still are breathing and alive[just]……
http://caradvice.com.au Rick

crusty you are a clown. Renault as a company are far from dying. selling over 2 million units in europe alone in 2010.
The new cars out are very well equipped and priced.
roko

renault buyer beware i have brought a renault master late 2007 had only travelled 70,000 kilometers and needs a new engine and turbo have warranty till 2012 but reanault now wont pay claim saying it is does not have warranty i have paper work to prove it the yard i purchased the van from has closed shop so i can only deal with renault australia and they are passing the blame back to yard were purchased so do not buy a vehicle from melville euro (renault dealer) which use to own the yard that i brough my van from being wanneroo euro.