Renault Master van and cargo truck 2022: reviews, photos

Renault Master

- a series of small cars produced by Renault since 1980. Cars of the second and third generations were also sold under the Opel Movano brand in continental Europe and Vauxhall Movano in the UK (developed and produced by Renault).

Over the years, Renault Masters were produced with different types of bodies, both standard-sized vans and models with increased height, long-wheelbase modifications (had the LWB prefix). The most common models are those with a van body.

Heavy-duty versions of the Master were sold by Renault Trucks as the Renault B and later as the Messenger and Mascott.

Specifications

A little about the history of the model

Production of the 1st generation Renault Master started in 1980. These trucks were produced in collaboration with Fiat and were equipped mainly with 2.4 liter Fiat-Sofim diesel engines, and since 1984 - with another option, also a diesel engine, with a displacement of 2.1 liters. For those interested, Renault Master with Renault gasoline engines of 2.0 and 2.2 liters was also on sale.

Renault Master was one of the first in this segment to use a sliding side door. The “highlight” of the model was the unusual round door handles (similar to the handles on the Fiat Ritmo).

1st generation car

Based on the Renault Master, vehicles with a larger payload capacity were developed and put into mass production. They received the name Renault B, on a rear-wheel drive chassis. From 1990 to 1999, a 4x4 all-wheel drive version was also produced. In 1993, Renault B cars received their own style (a different radiator grille) and a new independent model name - Renault Messenger.

The 2nd generation (1998-2010) became “an even more joint project” - developed by Renault together with Nissan and Opel. Therefore, in addition to the Renault Master, practically its twins were produced, under the names Opel Movano and Nissan Interstar. Trucks of this 2nd generation were equipped with Renault S8W/S9W, S9U, G9T and Nissan YD diesel engines, with working volumes of 2.2, 2.5 and 2.8 liters.

2nd generation car.

At the end of 2003, the company restyled the exterior of the car and its interior. The second generation retained and added new capabilities to the main advantage of this model: its versatility. These vans could be adapted for any need: from distributing goods around the city to being used as an ambulance.

The third generation Renault Master, which was launched on the market in May 2010, is also produced under several “clone” brands: Opel / Vauxhall (for Britain) Movano and Nissan NV400. Cars of all these brands are equipped with the same 2.3 liter Renault diesel engine, available in 3 power options - from 100 to 150 horsepower.

Of the total number of Masters produced, 75 percent are from Renault. The remaining 25% are the same light-duty vehicles under the Opel (for continental Europe) and Vauxhall (for the UK and other right-hand drive countries) brands.

To start production of third-generation cars, the automaker invested approximately 151 million euros in the plant. Most of these investments were used to modernize welding equipment in the body and paint shops. The first division was updated with a fully automated body welding line consisting of 250 robots, and the second division was updated with the ability to paint vehicles with extra-long vans (L4 version, up to 6.848 m long).

Engines

Renault Master is equipped with reliable and economical diesel engines

M9T 125 HP

Power – 125 hp/3,500 rpm.

Torque – 310 Nm/1,500 rpm.

M9T 150 HP

Power – 150 hp/3,500 rpm.

Torque – 350 Nm/1,500 rpm.

Transmission

The Russian market has two versions of the car: with front-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive version. French specialists were able to synchronize their power unit with a 6-speed manual gearbox. With the help of the sixth speed, the car's fuel consumption improves and the acoustic comfort in the cabin increases.

As for the gear shift lever travel in the 3rd generation Renault Master, it has become shorter and the shifting effort has decreased. All speeds are switched on with clarity. Thanks to the revision of the ratio of gear ratios in Renault Master III gearboxes, the acceleration characteristics of the vehicle have been improved.

Since 2016, the French company has introduced a special version of the Renault Master X-Track, which has increased road lights, underbody protection and a limited slip differential. A little later, the Renault Master 4×4 all-wheel drive model was also demonstrated. Such cars are a modification of Oberaigner Automotive GmbG, which has been re-equipping commercial vehicles of various companies for quite some time.

A similar system is mounted on any version of the new Master, which comes from the factory with rear-wheel drive. The structural changes to the car are minimal: both axles are raised by 65 millimeters, and the weight of the car increases by 150 kilograms. Electronic systems ESP and ABS are provided in the cheapest configuration.

Notes[ | ]

1. Walker, Alan.
   The great European retreat (undefined) // TRUCK / Kennett, Pat. - London, UK: FF Publishing Ltd, 1982. - September. — P. 37.
2. What's New: Renault revealed (unspecified) // TRUCK / Kennett, Pat. - London, UK: FF Publishing Ltd, 1982. - September. — P. 17.
3. fr:Renault Mascott
4. Renault Mascott / Master Pro (n.d.). buzzybeeforum.nl
   (April 26, 2014). Access date: May 6, 2014.
5. Master Propulsion II (French) (unavailable link). renaultconcepts.online.fr. Retrieved May 14, 2014. Archived May 14, 2014.
6. Renault Trucks Master brochure (inaccessible link)
7. Renault cargo-and-passenger models conquer off-road conditions

Chassis

The suspension installed in front is of an independent type with a reaction rod that connects 2 levers. With this, the car owner always controls the trajectory of the car (even on wet surfaces). The wide track provides additional stability.

The suspension works in such a way that the stability of its functioning is almost independent of the vehicle load. The rear wheels have a heavy-duty trailing arm. When cornering, the new Renault Master 2022 rolls, but not much, like for a van, and the chassis holds its trajectory perfectly. The Frenchman is not a racing car. The vehicle is intended for cargo or passenger transportation.

And for such tasks it copes well. Even if the Renault Master 2022 is maximally loaded, the van does not look helpless. The brake system of the new product is characterized by increased efficiency. The front wheels are equipped with disc brakes that support the ventilation function, while the rear wheels have simple disc brakes.

Salon

The truck's interior is underwhelming compared to its competitors and is cheap. There are three seats covered in fabric. The driver's seat is suspended through air suspension and equipped with mechanical adjustments. The center seat folds down to create a table and cup holders for snacking.

In the driver's hands is a simple 3-spoke steering wheel with 4 buttons and mechanical adjustments. The instrument panel is made of four dial gauges in three small wells. Two monitors of a simple on-board computer have been introduced.

The entire dashboard has many niches for tools, bottles, glasses, etc. There are folding stands for tablets and mobile phones. The center console is equipped with two round classic air ducts. At the top there is a simple radio tape recorder with CDs. Below are three climate control adjustment washers.

The Renault Master 3 cargo compartment is separated by a metal partition. It can be supplemented with a window or grille. The volume varies depending on the modification - 7.8-15.8 cubic meters.

Safety

Regardless of the drive type and modification, Renault Master 2022 has a whole set of systems that provide complete control and safety. Electronic technology Hill Start Assist. After the owner releases the brake pedal, Renault MASTER will remain standing in place for several seconds. The technology helps prevent the car from rolling away when parking or stopping on an incline.

ESP technology helps insure the owner in case of loss of controllability and facilitates cornering at increased speeds. Thanks to the anti-lock braking system (ABS), it is possible to maintain high vehicle controllability during emergency braking. Also for safety, the Renault Master III has enhanced traction. It helps maintain control of the road surface during difficult conditions such as mud, snow or sand.

The system detects the wheel that is slipping and supplies the necessary torque to the drive wheels. At night, the driver will be assisted by additional cornering lights. Renault Master received a high level of safety even at night. With the help of additional headlights that turn on when you turn the steering wheel, an additional area of ​​the road is illuminated.

A blind spot viewing mirror is also provided. It is installed in the passenger's visor. It helps to control the situation during a complex maneuver. For an additional cost, you can install the Security package. As a separate option, a side airbag for the owner and a front airbag for the passenger are installed from the factory.

If you plan to use a trailer, then the trailer sway assist system will come to the rescue. When the system detects a dangerous amplitude of body sway, it can limit the fuel supply to the power unit and begin to brake the wheels. To increase safety, you can use a differential lock.

When road conditions are less than ideal, differential locking on Renault Master rear-wheel drive models adds additional reliability and safety to the van.

Exterior

The appearance of the truck has changed, it has become more modern and attractive. The front has vertical optics with halogen filling. A massive radiator grille with a chrome surround and three crossbars is installed in the center. The bumper is made entirely of black plastic and has round foglights integrated into it.

The profile is mostly straight with shallow lines in the center and at the top. The wheel arches of the Master are swollen and beveled, between them there is a wide black molding with reflectors. The doors are equipped with massive rear-view mirrors with a turn signal repeater in the lower corner.

Everything is simple at the back, according to all the canons of such commercial vehicles. Simple vertical optics, almost straight doors and a flat running board as a bumper. Additionally, a ladder can be installed on the right door. If necessary, a towbar will be installed free of charge.

Functionality

The car is thought out to the smallest detail. Having decided to buy a Renault Master in Moscow, you will be able to enjoy its incredible practicality and functionality. Hinged rear doors that open at an angle of up to 270° provide convenient access to the cargo compartment and facilitate loading, and special rings allow you to securely secure boxes and other things.

Excerpt characterizing Renault Master

Marya Dmitrievna, although they were afraid of her, was looked at in St. Petersburg as a cracker and therefore, of the words spoken by her, they noticed only a rude word and repeated it in a whisper to each other, assuming that this word contained all the salt of what was said. Prince Vasily, who recently especially often forgot what he said and repeated the same thing a hundred times, spoke whenever he happened to see his daughter. “Helene, j'ai un mot a vous dire,” he told her, taking her aside and pulling her down by the hand. – J'ai eu vent de certains projets relatifs a... Vous savez. Eh bien, ma chere enfant, vous savez que mon c?ur de pere se rejouit do vous savoir... Vous avez tant souffert... Mais, chere enfant... ne consultez que votre c?ur. C'est tout ce que je vous dis. [Helen, I need to tell you something. I've heard about some species regarding... you know. Well, my dear child, you know that your father’s heart rejoices that you... You endured so much... But, dear child... Do as your heart tells you. That’s all my advice.] - And, always hiding the same excitement, he pressed his cheek to his daughter’s cheek and walked away. Bilibin, who had not lost his reputation as the smartest man and was Helen’s disinterested friend, one of those friends that brilliant women always have, friends of men who can never turn into lovers, Bilibin once in a petit comite [small intimate circle] expressed to his friend Helen your own view on this whole matter. - Ecoutez, Bilibine (Helen always called friends like Bilibine by their last name) - and she touched her white ringed hand to the sleeve of his tailcoat. – Dites moi comme vous diriez a une s?ur, que dois je faire? Lequel des deux? [Listen, Bilibin: tell me, how would you tell your sister, what should I do? Which of the two?] Bilibin gathered the skin above his eyebrows and thought with a smile on his lips. “Vous ne me prenez pas en taken aback, vous savez,” he said. – Comme veritable ami j'ai pense et repense a votre affaire. Voyez vous. Si vous epousez le prince (it was a young man), - he bent his finger, - vous perdez pour toujours la chance d'epouser l'autre, et puis vous mecontentez la Cour. (Comme vous savez, il ya une espece de parente.) Mais si vous epousez le vieux comte, vous faites le bonheur de ses derniers jours, et puis comme veuve du grand... le prince ne fait plus de mesalliance en vous epousant, [You Don't take me by surprise, you know. Like a true friend, I have been thinking about your case for a long time. You see: if you marry a prince, then you will forever lose the opportunity to be the wife of another, and in addition, the court will be dissatisfied. (You know, after all, kinship is involved here.) And if you marry the old count, then you will be the happiness of his last days, and then... it will no longer be humiliating for the prince to marry the widow of a nobleman.] - and Bilibin let go of his skin. – Voila un veritable ami! - said the beaming Helen, once again touching Bilibip’s sleeve with her hand. – Mais c'est que j'aime l'un et l'autre, je ne voudrais pas leur faire de chagrin. Je donnerais ma vie pour leur bonheur a tous deux, [Here is a true friend! But I love both of them and I wouldn’t want to upset anyone. For the happiness of both, I would be ready to sacrifice my life.] - she said. Bilibin shrugged his shoulders, expressing that even he could no longer help such grief. “Une maitresse femme! Voila ce qui s'appelle poser carrement la question. Elle voudrait epouser tous les trois a la fois,” [“Well done woman! This is what is called firmly asking the question. She would like to be the wife of all three at the same time.”] thought Bilibin. - But tell me, how will your husband look at this matter? - he said, due to the strength of his reputation, not afraid to undermine himself with such a naive question. – Will he agree? - Ah! Il m'aime tant! - said Helen, who for some reason thought that Pierre loved her too. – Il fera tout pour moi. [Oh! he loves me so much! He is ready for anything for me.] Bilibin picked up the skin to indicate the preparing mot. “Meme le divorce, [Even for a divorce.],” he said. Helen laughed. Among the people who allowed themselves to doubt the legality of the marriage being undertaken was Helen’s mother, Princess Kuragina. She was constantly tormented by envy of her daughter, and now, when the object of envy was closest to the princess’s heart, she could not come to terms with this thought. She consulted with a Russian priest about the extent to which divorce and marriage was possible while her husband was alive, and the priest told her that this was impossible, and, to her joy, pointed her to the Gospel text, which (it seemed to the priest) directly rejected the possibility of marriage from a living husband. Armed with these arguments, which seemed irrefutable to her, the princess went to see her daughter early in the morning, in order to find her alone. After listening to her mother's objections, Helen smiled meekly and mockingly. “But it’s directly said: whoever marries a divorced wife...” said the old princess. - Ah, maman, ne dites pas de betises. Vous ne comprenez rien. Dans ma position j'ai des devoirs, [Oh, mamma, don't talk nonsense. You don't understand anything. My position has responsibilities.] - Helen spoke, translating the conversation into French from Russian, in which she always seemed to have some kind of ambiguity in her case. - But, my friend... - Ah, maman, comment est ce que vous ne comprenez pas que le Saint Pere, qui a le droit de donner des dispenses... [Ah, mamma, how do you not understand that the Holy Father, who has the power of absolution …] At this time, the lady companion who lived with Helen came in to report to her that His Highness was in the hall and wanted to see her. - Non, dites lui que je ne veux pas le voir, que je suis furieuse contre lui, parce qu'il m'a manque parole. [No, tell him that I don’t want to see him, that I’m furious against him because he didn’t keep his word to me.] “Comtesse a tout peche misericorde, [Countess, mercy for every sin.],” said the young blond man as he entered. a man with a long face and nose. The old princess stood up respectfully and sat down. The young man who entered did not pay attention to her. The princess nodded her head to her daughter and floated towards the door. “No, she’s right,” thought the old princess, all her convictions were destroyed before the appearance of His Highness. - She is right; but how is it that we didn’t know this in our irrevocable youth? And it was so simple,” the old princess thought as she got into the carriage. At the beginning of August, Helen's matter was completely determined, and she wrote a letter to her husband (who loved her very much, as she thought) in which she informed him of her intention to marry NN and that she had joined the one true religion and that she asks him to complete all the formalities necessary for divorce, which the bearer of this letter will convey to him. “Sur ce je prie Dieu, mon ami, de vous avoir sous sa sainte et puissante garde. Votre amie Helene.” [“Then I pray to God that you, my friend, will be under his holy, strong protection. Your friend Elena"] This letter was brought to Pierre's house while he was on the Borodino field. The second time, already at the end of the Battle of Borodino, having escaped from Raevsky’s battery, Pierre with crowds of soldiers headed along the ravine to Knyazkov, reached the dressing station and, seeing blood and hearing screams and groans, hastily moved on, getting mixed up in the crowds of soldiers. One thing that Pierre now wanted with all the strength of his soul was to quickly get out of those terrible impressions in which he lived that day, return to normal living conditions and fall asleep peacefully in his room on his bed. Only under ordinary conditions of life did he feel that he would be able to understand himself and all that he had seen and experienced. But these ordinary living conditions were nowhere to be found. Although cannonballs and bullets did not whistle here along the road along which he walked, on all sides there was the same thing that was there on the battlefield. There were the same suffering, exhausted and sometimes strangely indifferent faces, the same blood, the same soldiers' greatcoats, the same sounds of shooting, although distant, but still terrifying; In addition, it was stuffy and dusty. Having walked about three miles along the big Mozhaisk road, Pierre sat down on the edge of it. Dusk fell on the ground, and the roar of the guns died down. Pierre, leaning on his arm, lay down and lay there for a long time, looking at the shadows moving past him in the darkness. It constantly seemed to him that a cannonball was flying at him with a terrible whistle; he shuddered and stood up. He didn't remember how long he had been here. In the middle of the night, three soldiers, having brought branches, placed themselves next to him and began to make a fire. The soldiers, looking sideways at Pierre, lit a fire, put a pot on it, crumbled crackers into it and put lard in it. The pleasant smell of edible and fatty food merged with the smell of smoke. Pierre stood up and sighed. The soldiers (there were three of them) ate, not paying attention to Pierre, and talked among themselves. - What kind of person will you be? - one of the soldiers suddenly turned to Pierre, obviously, by this question meaning what Pierre was thinking, namely: if you want something, we will give it to you, just tell me, are you an honest person?

Reviews from drivers and owners of Renault Master

Even with an incomplete load, the Master’s behavior on the road noticeably changes for the better. First of all, this concerns the smoothness of the ride. The “bumping” effect of the rear axle disappears, and the truck stops bouncing on absolutely all bumps. But otherwise, there are no changes: the 2.3-liter diesel engine pulls quietly even with the car fully loaded.

Renault Master accelerates stably and confidently to a cruising speed of 100–110 km/h. At the same time, the driver is not bothered by noise or excessive fuel consumption. On a suburban highway it will not be difficult to meet the quite “passenger” 8 liters per 100 kilometers. In urban conditions, the appetite of the Renault Master diesel engine is within 10-12 liters per 100 kilometers. This is a very worthy result for a truck.

Some drivers note increased vibration load of the diesel engine. This engine at idle speed can fill the cabin with some “tractor” trembling, provoking resonance of some of the plastic trim of the dashboard and doors. But this is almost the only remark, which, perhaps, is simply a subjective opinion.

It is noted that increased attention should be paid to the rear door hinges. They wear out quite quickly, which can cause the doors to begin to sag. Also, the rear doors, if they are not treated with silicone grease before winter, can freeze tightly.

The Masters praise the suspension: according to reviews from drivers and owners of these light-duty vehicles, it is extremely durable and at the same time very comfortable. There is no need to worry about the life of the front suspension: for example, ball joints easily “go” for 100 thousand kilometers. It is as simple as possible: two levers, six silent blocks and four ball joints. The rear springs are metal, but with a coating that resembles plastic. The rear suspension is very strong and you don't have to worry about it at all. If we are talking about regular overloads, then you can further strengthen it with springs from the GAZelle. The quality of the body metal is decent. Chips do not rust for several years. But we can’t say so confidently about the bottom of the car: it is quite susceptible to corrosion.

In general, Renault Master acts on the market as a good alternative to its “classmates” from other automakers - the same Ford Transit, for example. And the price tag on it doesn’t really bite.

Execution options

Renault Master cars are available with both front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive (the latter can be with a single or double tire option. The gross vehicle weight can range from 2.8 to 4.5 tons.

There are 3 wheelbase options, 2 rear overhang length options, and 3 different height options. Also, to the list of available design options, you need to add the presence of vans of various capacities (from 8 to 15.8 cubic meters, with a maximum load capacity of 2254 kg), combi, minibuses, chassis with single and double cabs (with a maximum load capacity of 2495 kg). In total, the combination of all possible ones allows us to produce up to three hundred and fifty different designs.

In the cargo compartment, innovations concerned the use of wider side (+17 centimeters) and rear doors. As an additional option, it is possible to install rear doors that can swing open 270 degrees. Also in the new generation of small-tonnage vehicles, the loading height was reduced: for front-wheel drive versions - to 542 mm, for rear-wheel drive versions with single-pitch tires - to 672 mm, with dual-pitch tires - up to 700 mm.

At the start of the 3rd generation, in 2003, the Renault Master looked like this

Renault Master vans are supplied as standard in an all-metal design, and on special order - with glazing in the cargo compartment. The floor of the cargo compartment is covered with 10 mm thick wooden flooring. For more severe operating conditions, it is planned to install a more durable flooring, 15 mm thick. Additional accessories include wooden guides along the inner sides of the body and fittings for securing the cargo from movement.

All versions of the Master family cars are equipped with disc brakes: with ventilated discs at the front and regular discs at the rear. For front-wheel drive versions, ABS and EBD are standard, and ASR is optional.

A significant number of innovations also affected rear-wheel drive modifications of Renault Master. In addition to the monocoque body (previously a model with a body on a frame chassis was produced), which has a rigid structure aimed at improving handling and increasing load capacity, the L4 modification was also added with the length of the cargo compartment increased to 4.38 m. At the same time, the useful volume can reach 15.8 cubic meters (in the L4H3 version).

Rear-wheel drive modifications are available with a gross weight of 3.5 and 4.5 tons. The first option is available with single or double slope tires, and the second - exclusively with dual slope. For variants with single-pitch tires, double-leaf springs are mounted, and for those with dual-pitch tires, three-leaf springs are installed.