Renault Master

The new Renault Master brings a breath of fresh air to the light commercial vehicle market in the UK, combining innovative technologies with strong functionality and economy.

The three key alterations with the new Master range from the outset are the cheaper pricing for front-wheel drive versions, the availability of a complete rear-wheel drive range up to 4.5 tonne and prominent, assertive front-end styling, which will be carried over to other Renault van models. With a style that is clearly businesslike, rugged and high in quality, New Master establishes a new set of standards for the Renault range of vans. The bold front-end design features a broad, painted grille and large, expressive headlights.

The muscular wheel arches and blunt bonnet convey a feeling of power, while the distinctive form of the asymmetric rear windows is one of New Master's visual hallmarks. The model's unmistakable rear lighting signature is founded on three triangular brake lights. The ruggedness of New Master is clearly evident in its proportions, prominent protective bumper, and broad side protection mouldings. The rear lights are wider than those of the previous model and give the vehicle a more grounded stance, while the larger door handles ensure a secure grip and improved strength in daily use.

Under the bonnet, the new generation 2.3-litre dCi engine has been engineered to meet the specific requirements of commercial vehicle users. The range includes three power outputs: 100, 125 and 150hp, and is identical for both the front-wheel drive (transversally mounted) and rear-wheel drive versions (longitudinal).

New Master shows just how much progress Renault has made when it comes to reducing the fuel consumption of its light commercial vehicles. Compared with the previous-generation Master, consumption has been cut by an average of 1 litre per 100 km in the case of front-wheel drive versions, and by up to 2.7 litres per 100 km on rear-wheel drive versions. Master’s advanced chassis has been tuned to be agile but also comfortable, both when loaded and empty. Active and passive safety equipment includes ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) as standard on all models while electronic stability program (ESP) is also standard on rear-wheel drive and optional for front-wheel drive versions.

The new Master can be specified in three wheelbases from 3.18 to 4.33 meters, four exterior lengths from 5.05 to 6.85 meters that allow for cargo load lengths on floor from 2.58 to 4.38 meters. There are also three interior roof heights from 1.7 to 2.14 meters, while load volume ranges from 8 to 17 cubic meters. Gross vehicle weight ranges from 2.8 to 4.5 tonnes, with maximum payload to 3.0 tonnes, depending on body. Loading the new Master couldn’t be simpler all models offer side sliding and rear access doors with large apertures making access for large loads and Euro pallets easy.

The cab interior has been completely re-evaluated. The additional 5.7cm in length has been used to enhance travelling comfort, especially for taller occupants. The design of the interior reflects the results of research into driving position ergonomics and practical stowage solutions.

The two-tone theme of the sturdy, high-quality dashboard is echoed on the interior door trim. All the stowage bins and controls fall readily to hand, even while on the move. Special attention has also been paid to the quality of the materials and the sub-assemblies, with materials and fabrics carefully selected to cope with the high standards of durability required for heavy-duty business use.

As you would expect, there is plenty of storage bins and compartments, which include a large, 7.6 litre glove box, practical storage compartments, trays and fixtures located in the doors, instrument panel, ceiling area and under the seats. The ride is comfortable for a big vehicle designed to cope with big loads and there's decent refinement along with a tight turning circle.

Clio RenaultSport 200 Cup

The face lifted Clio provides an excellent base for this sporty model, which adds a racy gloss black stripe to the car’s nose. A diffuser mounted between the twin exhausts continues the sporting look but it isn’t just for show.

It reduces lift, pressing the tyres into the ground to generate grip. But you need to be doing 80mph for it to produce an effective load of 40kg, so it’s something that’s only really going to be of use on the racetrack. Our test car came in the pearlescent Alien Green shade exclusive to this car. It proved quite a head-turner, but those looking for a less adventurous paint job will be glad to know it’s also available in White, Storm Grey plus metallic shades. The Cup is designed for those who value driver appeal above all else and loses key standard equipment to save weight. None of this, apart from the lack of air con, matters and that can be added for around £565.

With its wider front track and bulging wheel arches, the Clio RenaultSport is one of the most attractive and purposeful hot hatchbacks around. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, tuned to produce its maximum power at high revs, at which point a deep chested roar fills the cabin.

So addictive is the noise that Renault has included an alarm that beeps as you race toward the engine's redline, reminding you that another gear is needed a useful tool when trying to match the car's impressive 6.9-second 0-62mph time. Changing gear itself is an action to be enjoyed, the six-speed manual possessing a short and precise throw. Brakes developed by Italian specialist Brembo (complete with vivid red callipers) are reassuringly strong, even after repeated hard stops.

The Clio's strongest point though is its handling. With lightening fast steering, high levels of traction and grip, and a chassis that can be made to alter its attitude mid-bend with a mere twitch of the accelerator pedal, this is a hot hatch of the highest order. The super direct steering, wrist-flick gear change and ever-willing engine all work with you rather than against you and I'm regularly choosing the long way home over the Motorway. The body control is sublime too and although very stiff remains utterly tied down, even over high-speed camber changes on roundabouts and suchlike.

On twisty roads, the Cup is a thoroughbred hot hatch. There’s a hard-edged, race-inspired accuracy to it. Body roll is virtually eliminated and there’s masses of grip, which makes it very reassuring to drive. Its phenomenal handling does come at the expense of ride comfort. Motorway driving is not much fun in the Clio Renaultsport, as the firm suspension gives a harsh ride. However, the racy nature is exciting, as is the howling, buzzing engine note all the way to the redline. The Clio’s appetite for tarmac is insatiable it claws at corners regardless of how quickly you tackle them.

On public roads, you’ll never begin to reach the limits of its abilities it truly shines on the track Its phenomenal handling does come at the expense of ride comfort. In order to keep the weight down and maximise its driving performance, the ‘Cup’ models avoid needless fripperies like electric mirrors and air-con. You do get a pair of comfortable, figure-hugging Recaro seats, 17 inch alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and a Thatcham category 2 alarm.

If you need your gadgets, opt for the non-Cup version. This adds climate control, cruise control, front fog lamps, electrically operated door mirrors, automatic headlights and those one-touch windows. The Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup is one of the best low-cost pure drivers’ cars you can buy. You might miss a few creature comforts, but it’ll put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.

Renault Megane Sport Tourer

The main strength of the new Renault Megane Sport Tourer is that it manages to achieve great looks without compromising practicality in any way whatsoever.

The Mégane Sport Tourer features identical frontal styling to that of the hatchback version, including the characteristic lines that swoop down from the windscreen pillars to converge on the logo at the centre of the bonnet. The slope of the roofline, the steeply raked rear screen and the elongated, rearward-sweeping side windows give this car an elegant, racy profile, and the longitudinal roof bars set off these fluid lines.

The extensive range of engines available illustrates the ongoing work Renault continues to put in to ensure that its customers profit from the market’s best trade-off between performance and fuel consumption, as well as lower running and maintenance costs and longer servicing intervals. The Mégane Sport Tourer is available with a wide choice of power plants, including three diesel engines that boast CO2 emissions of less than or equal to 120g/km and five petrol engines, which all figure among the best in their class.

In the cabin, the accent has been on the durability and quality of the materials, soft touch plastics line all of the upper cabin and the door trims and steering wheel, helping to make driving a relaxed affair. Thanks to its generous dimensions and elegant, dynamic styling, the car exudes sporting appeal without detracting in any way from its user-friendliness or carrying capacity, which can be adapted to suit a broad variety of uses. Providing a boot volume of 524 litres (up to parcel shelf) ranks it among the best in its segment. Total carrying capacity can be extended up to 1,595 litres with the rear seats fully folded, while access to the boot is facilitated by its low sill height: 561mm, the lowest in its class.

The driver, meanwhile, will appreciate the comfortable, practical driving environment. Front elbowroom figures among the segment’s best at 1,476mm, and the height-adjustable driver’s seat travels through a segment-topping 70mm.

The Mégane Sport Tourer range features a choice of two GPS navigation systems and a long list of high-tech equipment. The first, Carminat TomTom®, is a fully integrated navigation system and is ready to run as soon as the car starts.

It delivers all the functions expected of a top navigation system, including: precise, detailed maps, a large 5.8-inch screen, bird view display and reliable guidance complete with traffic information, alternative routes, speed restrictions, speed camera location alerts and a wide range of customisable parameters.

With a raft of equipment, most of which is more commonly associated with the next segment up: Renault Hands Free Card with automatic central locking when the driver walks away from the car, automatic handbrake, dual-zone automatic climate control with three temperature adjustment modes (Soft-Auto-Fast), directional bi-Xenon headlamps, innovative combined digital/analogue instrument display.

New colour-coded interface for the cruise control with speed limiter, customisation of the activation and adjustment of certain functions (daytime running lights, volume of audible parking proximity sensor warning), 3D Sound by Arkamys® audio system, connectivity: standard RCA socket and optional TunePoint system (USB and jack connections).

Drive along a challenging road and the Sport Tourer might not be a sports car, but it does acquit itself well. The steering is linear and precise and there is a good compromise between dynamics and comfort. Despite being supple, with good ride quality, the Megane Sport Tourer remains almost flat through bends and has plenty of grip. The fact the Sport Tourer also has an appealing design, decent handling and a wide range of engines helps its make a strong case against the opposition.

Renault Grand Scenic

In the world of MPV’s the Renault Grand Scenic is one of the most popular people carriers on sale thanks to its blend of sharp looks, comfort and a spacious interior.

Not only is it available with seven seats, it offers great interior space along with an abundance of storage compartments and some genuinely useful family-friendly features such as Sleep Safe headrests to support the necks of snoozing youngsters. There is a wide range of engines available with a choice of three petrol and four diesel engines, including two newcomers a 1.4-litre, 130bhp petrol turbo and a 2.0-litre, 160bhp turbo diesel. 

The more powerful petrol and diesel engines come with a six-speed gearbox while a semi-automatic transmission is optional. The engine range deliver strong torque and power from low engine speeds across a broad rev band in all driving conditions. Every day running costs are between 20 and 30 % lower than for comparable powertrains in the previous generation model.

With a high ride height and adjustable seats including headrests, everything is at hand to make your drive be it driver or passenger as comfortable as possible. Finding a good driving position is easy thanks to a steering wheel that adjusts for reach and height. The front screen is now huge, pushing the front pillar back and out to give a wrap around affect that’s good for the view out and brings plenty of light inside. Driving is smooth and easy thanks to light, well-weighted gears and pedals. There is a refreshing ease of use to all the various controls, the interior is roomy to say the least particularly in driver and passenger seat where you can fully stretch your legs and your arms. Seating is comfortable and the whole interior is well designed. The centrally mounted LED instruments are clear and easy to read while the controls are all logically laid out and easy to use, as is the electronic handbrake. As you would want from a carmaker leading on safety, this Renault’s up to the mark, packing six airbags and a full set of other safety and driver aids.

Even though the new Renault Grand Scenic is longer, wider, taller and sits on a longer wheelbase, it manages to seem more car-like, which is precisely what the designers were aiming at. On the open road, the Grand Scenic handles safely and predictably, with decent body control and a cushioned ride that irons out road imperfections well. It's great at eating up motorway miles and quite happy bustling along country lanes too. Thanks to low noise levels and a smooth ride, the Scenic is great for passengers. It doesn't roll round corners either so those in the back won't end up feeling ill after a journey down country lanes. There's plenty of room in the second row of seats for adult passengers, with generous legroom while the seats slide back to increase room further.

The third row is best for children but it still offers good headroom. Even with the third row of seats in place on seven seat models, (they fold into the floor when not needed); there is still enough boot space for a weekly food shop for a family of four. In five-seat configuration, the boot is massive and the middle row slides for extra boot or leg space - in addition, Renault has made the most of storage space wherever possible.

This includes under floor storage bins in each of the front and second-row footwells, and on some models, a large sliding storage box between the front seats and foldout picnic trays in the back. Five seat models get extra underfloor storage space in the boot. The new Grand Scenic does everything you’d expect of it with the usual flair, combining proper MPV flexibility and practicality with high comfort levels and respectable driving dynamics.