The What Van? Road Test: Renault Master Formula Edition

Date: Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | Author: Steve Banner

Do you want to be noticed? Really noticed? Drive the front-wheel drive Formula Edition of Renault’s Master and there is little doubt you will be.

That is certainly what we found when we took to the highway in what we began to refer to as the ‘Dark Destroyer’, although as representatives of a responsible publication we, of course, took care not to destroy anything…

Channelling the French manufacturer’s involvement in Formula One, the 3.5-tonner is finished in pearlescent black paint with black alloy wheels. Formula Edition decals grace its sides, and yellow highlights around the front fog lights, under the black front grille with its black Renault diamond, and on the wheels help it stand out in the high street. It certainly is in marked contrast to the majority of Masters, which look nowhere near as exciting.

Available with rear-wheel drive too, the Master is powered by a 2.3-litre dCi diesel at 110hp, 130hp, 145hp, 165hp or 170hp. An electric version is on its way.

With four lengths and three roof heights, van load cubes range from 8.0m³ to 17.0m³, gross weights run from 2.8t to 4.5t, while gross payloads extend from 898kg to 2,158kg.

The Master is also produced as a crew van, a chassis cab, a chassis double-cab, a platform cab, a six- or nine-seater Combi and as a 17-seater minibus. A variety of special conversions have been introduced including dropsides, tippers, box vans and Lutons.

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