Kevin Swallow
Page 47
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The new Renault Master scores heavily in several important areas. It's affordable, has a good warranty package, and there are enough Renault dealers to offer geographically-dose back-up without too much downtime.
This particular van, which is RWD, has a payload potential of 1,179kg, which is 282kg better than the last RWD model CAftested, and this alone makes it a lot more versatile.
The smart 143hp Euro-5 2.3-litre engine, delivering 350Nm of torque, offers a punch true to its weight, and its drivability belies the van's unwieldy look and the fact that it is RWD. All this is combined with the best in-cab storage in its field.
There is still some room for improvement: its six-speed transmission is not as smooth as it could be at tower speeds, and the materials in the cab interior aren't great. A van this size isn't going to be frugal over the long haul, and strong side winds also play havoc with the driving experience.
While Renault doesn't enjoy the same pizzazz as Mercedes-Benz or Volkswagen in terms of desirability, or have the same universal reputation enjoyed by lveco for its Daily van, the new Master should not be discounted as a viable option.