√Renault Master to continue in current guise in Australia, new model on horizon in Europe

One of Australia’s top-selling large vans is destined to continue in its current guise even though a new model is around the corner in Europe.

The Renault Master large van is expected to soldier-on in its current configuration for at least another two years in Australia – despite approaching the end of its model cycle and with a new generation just around the corner in Europe.

If recent spy photos are a guide, the next-generation Renault Master large van is undergoing final validation testing ahead of showroom arrivals in Europe next year.

Given the two-year delay between European and Australian showroom arrivals for Renault vehicles, that could put the new Renault Master in local dealerships some time in 2025.

Despite its age (the current-generation model was introduced in Europe in 2010), the Renault Master in Australian showrooms today is expected to continue for at least another two to three years before it is replaced by the all-new model.

The next-generation Renault Master – camouflaged versions of which were caught on camera in Europe during winter testing earlier this year – is expected to be updated to more stringent Euro 7 emissions standards.

The new anti-pollution technology required to achieve Euro 7 emissions is understood to make the next Renault Master more costly than today’s model.

The Renault Master on sale in Australia meets Euro 5 emissions standards, which does not require any AdBlue diesel fuel additive to clean up tailpipe emissions.

With that in mind, Drive asked the boss of Renault Australia, Glen Sealey, during a recent media briefing when and if Australia is in line to receive the new-generation Renault Master.

“We’re looking at the Renault Master now, we want to keep the current version for as long as we can,” Mr Sealey told Drive.

When asked if the switch to Euro 7 emissions for the next-generation large van would make the Renault Master too costly in Australia – or if the current Euro 5 engine could be adapted to the new model – the product specialist for Renault Australia, Charly Clercin, said:

“In Australia we don’t have an end of life for the current-generation Master. It will remain in Australian showrooms in its current guise and will continue for the foreseeable future.”

The executive said by the time the next-generation Renault Master becomes available, Australia’s emissions regulations may require tighter controls, such as the Euro 7 protocols the new model has been designed to meet.

There will also be a solely electric version of the next-generation Renault Master developed for Europe, though details are yet to be announced.

Representatives for Renault Australia have previously expressed interest in any electric commercial vehicles developed for right-hand-drive markets such as Australia.

Meanwhile, the medium-sized Renault Trafic van just received a mid-life facelift at the end of last year, so it is expected to continue in its current format for three to five years.

However, an electric version could be added to the Renault Trafic range in Australia in the next few years, the company said.

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