Renault launches new ‘Commercial Passenger Vehicle’ range
Renault is widely credited as the creator of both the MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) and compact-MPV with its Espace and Scénic models, however, the company has embarked on a whole new dynasty of practical and stylish people-carriers with the launch of a new ‘Commercial Passenger Vehicle’ (CPV) range. The new range, consisting of four new products across the Trafic and Master ranges, carries on from Renault’s five and seven-seater cars, offering seating for between six and 16 occupants, with basic prices (excluding VAT) from £15,963.When it comes to transporting people and luggage in style, the Renault Espace is still regarded as the definitive people-carrier, however, there are times when you need more than seven seats. This is where Renault’s new range of factory minibuses come into their own. Created specifically to meet the need for customers requiring the extra versatility of additional seating, without the loss of valuable luggage space in the rear, these new commercial passenger vehicles, Trafic 9 Seat and the Master 6, 9 and 16 Seats, also benefit from the amazingly good, car-like driving characteristics from the rest of the Trafic and Master ranges.
The UK minibus market accounts for around 8,000 sales per year, so with its four new products, Renault will be aiming for over a 10% share of this sector, with the Trafic SL27dCi 100 and SL29dCi 100 9 Seat versions expected to be the best-sellers of the 16 versions available across both ranges.
Commenting on the industry sectors which Renault UK will be seeking to target, Louise O’Sullivan, LCV Brand Manager, Renault UK, explained, "The UK market for smaller minibuses and combi-style vehicles is growing at a faster rate here than anywhere else in Europe, so we’re very optimistic that our two new nine-seater products in particular are ideally placed to take full advantage of this buoyant market. With our four new commercial passenger vehicles joining the existing Trafic Crew Van and 17-seat Master off-the-shelf minibus, this impressive product line-up will be used to target key customers in the hotel and airport transfer industry, not to mention the construction, maintenance and utilities sectors."
New Trafic 9 Seat
The current Trafic range has been extremely successful since its launch, with the introduction of the six-seater Crew Van last year adding an even greater passenger-carrying dimension for customers, particularly in the construction industry. The new nine-seat versions now add even more flexibility to the range, plus a wealth of interior comfort features and overall refinement.
The new Trafic 9 Seat is designed to be one of the most comfortable and practical vehicles in the market, with seating for the driver and eight passengers, boot space of 1m³ and the added convenience of a tailgate with twin sliding side doors and opening windows. Even greater versatility is available as the vehicle’s third row of seats fold, creating a cavernous boot area of up to 2.5m³.
Aside from the new product’s undeniable passenger and load-carrying ability, it also has two other fine assets. Firstly, its built-in safety. As with a full M1 vehicle, the Trafic 9 Seat has impressive safety credentials with the seats and seatbelt anchorage points tested up to a 20 G deceleration rate, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and ESP with ASR traction control all fitted as standard. Secondly, there is its fuel economy and running costs, where Renault’s highly-regarded 1.9 dCi engine returns 37mpg on a combined cycle and only requires servicing every 18,000 miles.
Core equipment includes: 30W CD-RDS radio with fingertip controls, ABS with EBD, alarm, driver’s airbag and remote central locking. Notably, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) with ASR traction control is also fitted as standard. All seats are fitted with headrests and three-point seatbelts, with load-limiters and pre-tensioners on the rear seats. For customers seeking to transport their family, friends or clients in even more luxury, several options are available, including: air conditioning with heat reflective windscreen (£650), electric windows and door mirrors (£275) and metallic paint (£325). All option prices listed exclude VAT.
Ordering is now open, with two short wheelbase, low roof versions available, SL27dCi 100 and SL29dCi 100, costing £15,963 and £16,440 (excluding VAT and on-the-road fees).
New Master 6 Seat
Not to be outdone by its smaller sibling, there are three different versions of the new factory Master minibus, offering seating for between six and 16 people.
The first of these is the Master 6 Seat, due in Spring 2006. Core equipment on this vehicle and the Master 9 and 16 Seats includes: 60W CD-RDS, alarm, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), remote central locking, tinted glass and trip computer. Several options are also available, including: air suspension (£1,500 – excluding 9 Seat SL versions), cruise control (£250) and satellite navigation with electric door mirrors and windows (£1,250). All option prices listed exclude VAT.
Available in MM35 (medium wheelbase, medium roof) guise, it comes with a choice of two engines – dCi 90 and dCi 120 – priced at £20,495 and £21,901 (excluding VAT) respectively.
New Master 9 Seat
With an extra row of seats compared to its 6 Seat sister, the new Master 9 Seat is available in a choice of three bodies: SL28 and SL33 (short wheelbase, low roof) and MM35 (medium wheelbase, medium roof).
In addition to the five-speed manual gearbox available on the dCi 90 and the six-speed manual gearbox on dCi 120, Renault’s new, robotised gearbox, ‘Quickshift6’ is also available with both the dCi 100 and dCi 120 engines, offering fuel savings of around 10% compared to the manual version of the same engine.
New Master 16 Seat
Not content with launching two new nine-seat minibuses, Renault is also now offering a factory 16-seat minibus to complement the existing 17-seat off-the-shelf Master minibus. Equipped with a 62mph speed limiter and digital tachograph, the new Master 16 Seat is also fully compliant with EC2001/85 and PSV regulations. The Master 16 Seat benefits from easy access with an electrically operated sidestep and for increased passenger safety, all seats and seatbelt anchorage are tested to M1 standard.
The new minibus is available with a long wheelbase, medium roof body (LM39), plus a choice of two of Renault’s class-leading diesel engines – dCi 100 and 120, with either manual or Quickshift6 transmission.
New Master 16 Seat
Not content with launching two new nine-seat minibuses, Renault is also now offering a factory 16-seat minibus to complement the existing 17-seat off-the-shelf Master minibus. Equipped with a 62mph speed limiter and digital tachograph, the new Master 16 Seat is also fully compliant with EC2001/85 and PSV regulations. The Master 16 Seat benefits from easy access with an electrically operated sidestep and for increased passenger safety, all seats and seatbelt anchorage are tested to M1 standard.
The new minibus is available with a long wheelbase, medium roof body (LM39), plus a choice of two of Renault’s class-leading diesel engines – dCi 100 and 120, with either manual or Quickshift6 transmission.
