Review | First drive
The diesel-powered Renault Master will almost certainly be the best-selling derivative in the line-up.
Renault Master diesel T
Renault Master MM35 Extra Blue dCi 150
Price (ex VAT) £36,840
Price range (ex VAT) £34,590- £47,005 Warranty 3yrs/100,000mls Service intervals 2yrs/24,000mls Load length 3,225mm
Load width (min/max) 1,380mm/1,537mm Load bay height 1,885mm Gross payload 1,306kg Load volume 10.8m3 Engine size/power 1,998cc/150hp Combined fuel economy 37.2mpg CO2
199g/km
VERDICT Diesel powertrain does little to dent Master’s award-winning appeal.
Overall rating: 38
o say the new Renault Master has been highly acclaimed would be an understatement – it followed up
winning the International Van of the Year prize by taking our own What Van? Award for Van of the Year. However, our previous review of this fourth-generation large van focused on the fully electric E-Tech variant, which although clearly important seems unlikely to be the best-seller. Now, though, we’ve had the chance to try the diesel version of the new Master on UK roads. A choice of three diesel engines is
available, producing 130hp, 150hp or 170hp. We drove the middle option, and found it offered plenty of grunt for any situation, whether pulling out at urban junctions, keeping up with B-road traffic, or cruising at motorway speeds. At higher speeds in particular it also offers good refinement – you’re more likely to hear wind and road noise than the engine on motorways. Our van’s six-speed manual gearbox had a nice positive shift action
(a nine-speed auto is also available), and this went well with light and easy steering, and a chassis which for a large van felt commendably composed on a twisty road. With no load in the back during our test, the ride was occasionally jiggly, but there was no harshness, with the suspension absorbing potholes well. Adding to the comfort are seats adapted from those fitted to Renault’s Austral passenger car, which offer especially good lumbar support. On a similar theme, Renault has
intentionally mounted the Master’s steering wheel more vertically than would be usual, and this results in a relatively car-like driving position for a large van (although we found it a little tricky to choose a seat position initially due to the clutch pedal being mounted higher than the brake or accelerator). We should also add that this steering wheel has a high-quality feel, as does the surrounding switchgear. On a more negative note, while an electric handbrake will be available in a
On Sale: October 2024 Key Rival: Ford Transit
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