The fourth-generation Renault Master is finally coming to Australia, where the French brand’s full-size commercial van will offer electric power for the first time.
Revealed all the way back in November 2023, the new-generation large delivery van will land in Australian showrooms in June 2026 with a choice of mid- or long-wheelbase configurations, and either mid or high roof body styles.
Pricing and specifications will be announced closer to launch. The outgoing Master is priced from $55,200 before on-road costs in medium-wheelbase Pro guise.
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The new electric Master E-Tech uses an 87kWh battery pack and a 105kW/300Nm electric motor, for 410km of range on the WLTP cycle. The maximum DC fast-charge rate is 130kW.
While pricing has yet to be announced, it’s expected to be priced higher than that of its diesel sibling. The Master E-Tech will take on the Ford E-Transit, LDV eDeliver 9 and Mercedes-Benz eSprinter.
The outgoing Master was offered with electric power overseas, but a battery-powered option was never sold here.
Combustion-powered versions of the new Master will use an updated 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 125kW of power and 380Nm of torque and mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Service intervals remain at 12 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first.
Less powerful tunes of the diesel engine offered in Europe, as well as a manual transmission, won’t come to Australia.
Depending on the variant, diesel Masters have a payload of up to 1973kg and a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of up to 4000kg, while electric Master E-Techs have a payload of up to 1164kg and a GVM of up to 3500kg.
Renault notes the side door is large enough to fit a forklift pallet, while there’s a flat bulkhead behind the front seats to maximise load space.
The new-generation Master wears fresh, more aerodynamic exterior styling, while inside there’s a more modern dashboard featuring a 10.0-inch touchscreen running the OpenR Link infotainment system.
This includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, a multitude of USB-C ports, and free over-the-air software updates for five years.
More upscale variants have the same screen, but the operating system is upgraded to include built-in Google apps, including maps, and voice recognition assistant, and the Google Play Store from which you can download supported apps.
An optional workstation folds down in the middle of the three-seat bench, and can be used for work or meals.
The Master has received a Platinum rating from safety authority Euro NCAP, based on assessment of its active safety and driver assist technology.
“Van drivers spend a lot of time on the road, which is why Renault has gone to great lengths to deliver comfort, safety, and excellent driveability with the new model,” said Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey in a press release.
“Renault has been in the large van market since 1980 – when the original Master was introduced 46 years ago – so it has a lot of experience in this space, and all of that historical knowhow delivers significant improvements with each new model.
“The new-generation Renault Master is a key part of Renault Australia’s model revitalisation.
“Last year Renault Australia promised six new models in the next 18 months and the new-generation Renault Master shows we are delivering. Plus there is more to come.”
Of these six, Renault has already launched the Duster, Scenic and refreshed Arkana SUVs. The new Master brings the tally to four.