Fleet Transport June 2020

58 | TEST II
Renault Master LM35 135 dCi FWD
Business goes furniture moving
“So,” a friend said to me. “you test vans,
correct?”
“Yes,” the rather cautious reply, wondering
what was coming.
“Well how do you fancy testing one by helping
us move some furniture? There’s a Chinese
takeaway and glass of wine in it for you.”
With my bribery level established,
a quick email to Renault
Ireland secured a Renault
Master. Not knowing how much furniture
needed to be shifted, I figured better to go
big, and Renault’s largest offering fitted the
bill. Additionally, with the latest version
having been launched just last year, it
was an ideal opportunity to put it to a
practical test.
This latest Master has some serious road
presence. In fairness it always looked the
part, but with the prominent vertical front
grille and squared off front end together
with the C-Shape LED DRLs, it now looks
even more assertive than before.
Available in Short, Medium and Long wheel
base versions, and Low, Medium and High
Roof sizes, the van provided was a FWD
LM35 dCi 135 Business. In other words a
Long Wheel Base model with a Medium roof
in Business trim powered by a 135PS version
of the 2.3 dCi diesel engine powering the
front wheels. In this configuration it offers
a generous load volume of 13 cubic metres
and can carry a payload of up to 1,434kg.
It’s also a spec that will sell well. One of the
realities of vans is that they are workhorse
tools first and foremost, therefore their
owners, by and large, are not inclined to
fork out much on extra equipment. The
Business spec model tested here is the
more basic version offered compared to
Business+ trim, yet will almost certainly
be the volume seller.
Therefore, while the latest Master comes
with a whole host of technological, safety
and comfort features should customers
wish to spec them, the standard van is
a bit more basic while still coming well
equipped enough to meet a typical user’s
requirements.
A measure of the times in that sitting in
initially, the steering wheel catches my eye
for not having any controls on it. Not many
years ago this was the norm. Equally the
minuscule radio (with DAB in fairness)
seems from a past era when compared to
the big multi-function screens prevalent
today.
Overall though, the cabin meets the
requirements of a busy working driver
with plenty of practical storage pockets
and spaces including under the middle
seat. From overhead shelves to plenty of
cup holders, three USB connections plus
a 240V socket to an arm rest and air-con,
it’s a workspace you won’t mind spending
extended time in.
Noteworthy is the fully adjustable suspension
type seat, fitted to this test van although
only standard on Business+ trims. It’s well
worthwhile if you are spending long hours
in the cabin, absorbing the bumps and jolts
from the road in comfort.
Collecting the van from Renault Belgard,
Dublin, I hit the M4 / M6 westward to
FLEETVAN&UTILITY | Summer 2020