Spy Shots – Renault Master

Renault has been selling the third and current generation of the Master van since 2010, and a fourth-generation model is set to debut in the coming months. There were numerous updates over the years, but the platform has stayed the same since then. While the French manufacturer unveiled an electric version in 2018, the all-new model would come with a more suitable platform for alternative power solutions.

Now, we caught the upcoming Renault Master van, which should reach the market in about a year or so, testing in high altitude in Spain.

Renault does not plan to revolutionize the field, as there is no revolution to be made in the van segment, at least from a styling perspective. Instead, the French automaker is going for a tried-and-true recipe of boxy shape, sliding door on the side, and twin rear doors. The headlights are thin, and their positioning is high on the face of the van, and there is a good reason for it. In the unfortunate event of a fender-bender, the headlights make it out intact – if they are positioned properly and they are not too large.

That is also the reason most vans have black plastic bumpers, at least at their edges and in their lower parts. Painting those bumpers makes no sense, although they may look nicer in the showroom, it is more practical in real life to have black plastic ones instead. Sure, it is not the nicest look in the parking lot, but their mission is entirely different.

AUTOMEDIA

As far as engines are concerned, the new Renault Master is set to be offered in an all-electric version, but also in a diesel variant for most of the markets where it will be available. The EV is meant to be a last-mile solution for deliveries, especially in city centres, while the diesel model would do long-distance runs.

Unlike other manufacturers, such as Ford, Renault has not shown an interest in making a plug-in hybrid van, or a hybrid van for this segment, possibly because of the development costs involved. However, a hydrogen-fuelled Renault Master was developed as a prototype.