Small Outside, Huge Inside; New Low Roof Renault Master Packs More In

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – Feb 17, 2014: Renault is launching a new city slicking Master van that is ideally sized for urban multi-drop duties.

The new Low Roof model is called L1H1, and has a smaller footprint and lower roofline than its Master siblings.

Its 8m3 capacity fills the gap between the 6m3 Trafic LWB and the 10.8m3 Master MWB, packing in 33% more capacity than the physically longer Trafic LWB. The 5048mm long L1H1 can carry a meaty 1.6-tonnes.

Compared with the L2H2 Master that has been available in Australia for 2 years, the L1H1 model is 500mm shorter and 195mm lower. It offers a tight 12m turning circle, making it exceptionally manoeuvrable in the city.

The spacious load bay is 2583mm long, 1765mm wide and 1700mm high and easily swallows 2 full-size 1200 x 1200mm pallets. The broad-shouldered Master continues to provide three-abreast seating up front. When only the driver and a single passenger are carried, the middle-seat backrest can flip forward to provide a handy centre tray workspace.

Front-wheel drive means a low step-in height for the load bay. This helps reduce fatigue for drivers who are in-and-out of the back all day. The new model can also tow up to 2.5-tonnes.

It is ideally suited to city work where congested roads, scarcity of loading bays, and legions of parking wardens make life tricky for delivery drivers in particular.

The L1H1 comes standard with a single unglazed left-hand sliding door and 2 glazed rear barn doors, though a glazed or unglazed right-hand side sliding door is available. A full metal bulkhead with a glazed section is standard for safety, and improved acoustic and ventilation performance.

Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and variable speed limiter, anti-lock brakes, ESP stability control and dual airbags.

Like all Renault Master models, the L1H1 produces 150hp of power and 350Nm of torque from its Euro 5 compliant, economical and smooth 2.3-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine. Depending on driving environments, service intervals may stretch as far as 30,000km. A massive 105-litre fuel tank extends refuelling intervals.

Not only is it cheap to run, but also the Low Roof Master is affordable to service, thanks to Renault Capped Price Servicing at $349 for the first three scheduled services, offering meaningful benefits to operator cash flow.

“Master has been a sales success so far and we intend to build on this with the new Low Roof L1H1,” says Lyndon Healey, Renault LCV Model Line Manager.

“The combination of the frugal, clean and punchy 2.3-litre turbo-diesel engine and a choice of manual or automated 6-speed gearboxes, plus the refined, quiet and comfortable ride, has proven to be a winner in the competitive Australian market to date.

“Now the Master family adds a city-friendly package that will be ideal for a wide range of operators who need capacity but want a shorter overall length. The L1H1 is almost the same length as a typical large Australian family sedan, so it can fit into metered parking spaces, a big advantage over some rivals,” Lyndon says.

“A wide variety of van users, from tradesmen to food and hospitality, cleaning and retail services customers will find the L1H1 van ideal for moving bulk or bulky goods around the city,” Lyndon says.

“Our competitive drive-away pricing underlines Renault’s determination to maintain its successful sales performance in this market,” he says.

The new L1H1 version of the front-drive Renault Master van goes on sale immediately, priced at $39,990 drive away ($42,490 for the automated Quickshift version), and will be available from the growing network of 37 Renault dealers nationwide.