T he Renault Master made an immediate impact on the van
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world when it was introduced a couple of years ago, setting a high standard for handling and driver comfort combined with the good payload and load volume expected from a front-wheel-drive panel van. At a stroke the Master and Kangoo made Renault a force to be reckoned with, and it is hoping to repeat their success with the upcoming Trafic revamp.
General Motors was wise enough to adopt the Master as the Vauxhall Movano, so most of the comments made here will be equally applicable to that model.
The Master is offered at three wheelbase lengths and three roof heights to give six loadspace volumes ranging from 8.0-13.9m3. Gross vehicle weights are set at 2.8, 3.3 and 3.5 tonnes; the payload for this medium-wheelbase, medium-roof 3.5
tonner is an excellent 1,580kg—just (but only just) the best in this group.
Until now the Master's engine options have been a pair of diesels: a 78hp 2.5-litre naturally aspirated indirect-injection unit or the 113hp 2.8-litre direct-injection turbo-diesel tested here. This is one area where the Master could do with updating, and it will soon get it in the form of a superbly responsive 2.2-litre 90hp common-rail unit which is expected to deliver comparable torque levels with rather better fuel economy.
Other improvements on the way include an alldisc. ABS-equipped brake set-up which should be one of the best in the class.
The Master's cabin is still as pleasant as it was
at the model's launch, though many of its competitors have caught up in terms of design and finish. It's refined and pretty quiet with in-cab storage and layout that are still as good as any. The driver's seat got widely varying ratings for comfort, although passenger accommodation was generally well rated.
The Renault also scored extremely well with our panel for its steering-wheel-mounted radio/cassette controls which are quite brilliant. Every single tester commented favourably on them, and we can only conclude that such controls should be made compulsory, for safety as well as convenience.
loadspace access is good, and the loading floor is low—the Master also has the tallest loadspace in the group. As with the cab, it seems that Renault really listened to what van drivers want.
On the road the Master still scores well, even lf it can't quite match the class-leading Relay. Visibility is good (and the two-zone heated mirrors are a worthwhile option) while steering and braking are fine. Motorway stability is exceptionally good, and the performance figures belie the relatively ordinary engine specs.