RENAULT
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The most recent Commercial Motorroarttest of the Renault Premium listed only two significant misgivings the elderly nature of the driveline and the clunky change of Renault's homebrewed 818 gearbox. Now RVI has replaced both engine and box—has it created a winner?
There's no doubt that this Premium's 24-valve engine is bang up to date on paper, with its highpressure common-rail fuel system managed by the latest V-MAC ill electronic control system. Our truck appeared In Euro-2 tune: Renault has decided to keep the hardwareidentical Euro-3 version up its sleeve until it becomes obligatory.
Our first impression was slightly disappointing in terms of refinement, with the engine sounding a bit harsh in some situations. Once under way, however, it felt stronger than the measured times would indicate and in fairness this was a very new truck with just 13,000km on the clock. Given a decent mileage we would expect it to loosen up considerably.
gate changes in a muddle. Our example also came with the motorway-optimised direct-drive gearbox and single-reduction axle. For tougher operation an overdrive box with ZF Intarder and double reduction axle is available. More than most, the Renault's standard Jake brake needed the full complement of engine revs to gain significant retardation. Its control, on a spindly stalk to the left of the steering column, took us a little time to get used to but soon proved to be convenient.
Inside, the newly re-trimmed cab offers a good compromise of storage and space, thanks to the two-thirds width over-screen lockers which give generous headroom on the passenger side. The Renault led the scoring in terms of cab access, storage and sleeping facilities, but lost ground on quality and finish.
Using the lower bunk as a seat was somewhat hampered by the lack of headroom below the semi-stowed upper bunk, and also revealed a squeak which afflicts the lower mattress. Anyone planning to use the cab as a home from home does at least have the option of Renault's ingenious single-occupancy version.
The dash is fronted by the fourspoke wheel from the Magnum, while the general layout is ergonomically sound Any important information is conveyed by the large display panel lithe centre of the dash, but it woukl be seen more easy lithe screen were angled towards
the driver There is no question that the Renault's strongest points are its payload and the low fixed costs which \ result from its highly competitive price.