Renault adds cab-chassis to Master range

RENAULT has added three 4.5-tonne cab-chassis variants to its Master range in response to growing demand for its light commercial vehicle range in Australia.

The expanded Master range now includes a single-cab variant priced from $45,490 before on-road costs, and a dual-cab priced from $50,490, adding to the long and mid-wheelbase vans the French car-maker has offered since 2010.

Single cab models are available with a choice of two wheelbase lengths – 3682mm or 4332mm – while the dual-cab is available with a 4332mm wheelbase.

As well as a payload of up to 2.5 tonnes, the rear-wheel-drive Master cab-chassis offers a towing capacity of 3.0 tonnes, which Renault says is partly due to its dual rear wheels.

The big ute range is powered by the same 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine as the Master van, and produces 110kW or power and 350Nm of torque, offering up to a 30,000km service interval according to a system that monitors the engine oil’s condition.

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, but a six-speed robotized manual gearbox is available as a $2500 option across the cab-chassis range.

The Master’s cabin features a number of storage compartments and a laptop table fitted to the rear of the foldable front middle seat, while the dual-cab variant can carry up to seven occupants using a ‘four-across’ rear bench.

Standard gear in the Master includes remote central locking, Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming, chilled glove box, powered front windows and air conditioning. Options include an alloy or steel drop-side tray, a satellite navigation system and a reversing camera.

Renault says the longer-wheelbase single-cab Master can be built up to an overall length of eight metres, with just under 5.5-metres worth of payload, allowing for the installation of a refrigerated box for food transportation.

Some of the safety equipment standard across the Master cab-chassis range includes dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, cruise control and a brake pad wear indicator.

The Master cab-chassis is offered with a three-year, 200,000km factory warranty, three years of roadside assistance and Renault’s capped-price servicing for either the first three years or 90,000km.

As reported by GoAuto, Renault is experiencing something of a boom in local light-commercial vehicle sales, with the French car-maker selling 364 Masters so far this year, up 62 per cent over the same period last year.

The smaller Trafic van range has increased by 130 per cent compared with the first seven months of last year, with sales of 522 units, while the baby of the range, the Kangoo, has held steady with a two per cent boost for sales of 181 units.

Renault Australia LCV brand manager Lyndon Healey said the cab-chassis variants in the Master range would appeal to a broad range of industries from construction to local councils.

“The dual-cab version is expected to be especially popular, not only with work crews, but with families who need more space than a traditional double-cab ute, and still want to enjoy car-like comfort,” he said.

“We have specified the Renault Master cab/chassis range to suit Australian conditions and we are confident it will prove to be a winner for this market.”