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MAGNUM: A SPENT FORCE?
Page 64
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At this year's Hanover IAA Show, Renault will unveil the limited-edition Magnum Vega. Is this the last word for the Magnum — or the start of a new chapter? Dave Young reports.
In the beginning was the Virage.This 1980s design concept from the Italian Cercello Gandini, who was also responsible for the Citroen BX, became the AE, rapidly renamed the Magnum. For 15 years it has been flagship of the Renault fleet, but after 1(X),000 sales it is easy to forget just how radical that flat-floor cab was at its 1991 launch.
Magnum's latest incarnation is the Vega, which Renault marketing types describe as: "A new vision for driver's pleasure where the driver feels at home."
Presented with typically French elan in a studio at Renault's Lyon HO. the Vega with its blue neon exterior light lines, aluminium trim and graphite pain twork -looked as big and boxy as ever. Cutting through the hyperbole, it quickly became apparent that the cab structure remained unchanged.
Amid much talk of brand value and "customer intimacy", it emerged that the Vega design brief was limited to an interior revamp within the current cab shell.
As Magnum is a long-haul vehicle, designed for those spending three or more nights out a week, the designers decided to focus on the needs of the driver when stopping to rest. To this end they accompanied drivers on long journeys around Europe to observe the cab as recreational and living space and to "look to the next 20 or 30 years-.
The focus in the Vega is on material quality, luxury entertainment systems and storage capacity. This translates to leather upholstery; multi-directional LED spotlights: and a multi-function unit incorporating a games console, a large fold-flat LCD screen, kettle and wardrobe.A sliding, swivelling passenger seat turns to face this unit sideways on, leaving no room fora lower bunk.
Unanswered questions
It no doubt appeals to younger drivers, but as one underwhelmed Polish journalist pointed out: "You've made the cab better to watch TV in than sleep." 'Why no Xenon lights?" asked another. Overall, the European transport press reception is best described as muted.
The 500hp Vega will go on sale in France next year as a limited edition; to date Renault hasn't revealed its price, or if it will be available in right-hand drive for the UK market.
For all their comparison of the Magnum to the Mustang as a design icon, Renault executives weren't in the mood to answer key questions on the Magnum's future. Why no radical modification to the cab? And, most importantly, how long will it be in production?
When asked. Renault marketing boss Danny Boulenger tried to turn the tables, asking: "Do you think it looks old?"Well, frankly, yes.
Will the next-generation cab be a joint platform with Volvo? As always when their Swedish partner is mentioned, the Renault team became defensive revealing only that the current Magnum cab will endure until Euro-6."There will be another Magnum... I can't say when," said Boulenger.
As such, the Vega seems intended as much to bolster Renault morale at a time when the Lyon plant has moved from vehicle manufacture to assembly as to serve customer need.
We've been here before with Virage 2 and the Premium-based Radiance concept truck. But change doesn't always mean progress.
Right now they need a flagship, even at the expense of refurbishing an old one for, as a Renault spokesman once explained:"Monsieur Renault is France." •