Richard Sharman visited Peak District-based Minibus Options to see how the facelifted Renault Master fares when converted to a minibus
The race to be the number one van in the UK is on, with all the major brands now having futureproofed their offering in terms of both styling and environmental credentials.
The Renault Master is no exception, having had a facelift in 2019 focusing on the front end, engines and cabin, rather than a total rework. The Master’s main competition in a similar price range is the Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay. Of course, you are still able to buy the Vauxhall Movano and Nissan NV400 as alternatives to the Master, although they have not received such a thorough facelift as the Renault.
[wlm_nonmember][…]
By subscribing you will benefit from:
- Operator & Supplier Profiles
- Face-to-Face Interviews
- Latest News
- Test Drives and Reviews
- Legal Updates
- Route Focus
- Industry Insider Opinions
- Passenger Perspective
- Vehicle Launches
- and much more!
From van to minibus
When choosing the base van for a conversion, its looks, fuel economy, residual value and size are all key considerations. However, it is equally important to select the right vehicle converter to carry out the work to your exact specification. That is where Minibus Options comes in.
Nestled in the Peak District in a small town called Whaley Bridge, Minibus Options is a recognised converter of Renault vans in the UK, complementing its range of factory products by offering bespoke solutions to meet specific customer needs. It has multiple specifications available for the Master, with three roof heights and four body lengths to choose from.
Seating capacity ranges from five seats with space for three wheelchairs in the shortest SL33 variant to the longest LH45TW model, which is 6,848mm in length and can seat 17 passengers in comfort. In between these two extremes are multiple options in terms of seating/wheelchair capacity that can include underfloor or internal wheelchair lift, powered/manual sidestep, external passenger lighting, soft trim options and auxiliary heating systems.
First impressions
Having driven the previous version of the Renault Master last year, I was already impressed by its driveability and styling, so I was looking forward to seeing how Renault had been able to achieve improvements with the 2019 facelift.
Having been shown to my vehicle for the test drive, I was immediately impressed with the facelift that has been given to the front end. This was my first time seeing the revised Master in the flesh, and pictures do not do it justice. Renault has changed the stance of the vehicle by raising the bonnet line and adding all-new headlights that are not flush with the bumper/bonnet line; instead, they have been designed to be the standout feature of the front of the vehicle. The high intensity LED daytime running lights outline the headlight cluster and bring the vehicle to life. They also include the C-shape Renault signature that is now being used across its vehicle range.
Aside from the rugged-looking front bumper – which is much improved on the previous generation – the large Renault badge takes centre stage, whilst the chrome inserts around the grille add some colour to the black plastic. The ‘Business’ specification model does not include front fog lights, which is a shame, as I think this detracts from the vehicle’s front end presence. One aspect of the front end design that helps the driver is a footplate built into the bumper on either side, allowing a driver or engineer to access the windscreen wipers for maintenance or cleaning.
As a minibus conversion, the Renault Master almost looks like it was meant to be; the bonded windows fitted by Minibus Options follow the line of the front door windows perfectly, blending in with the styling crease of the bodywork, which also follows the window line.
In terms of side body protection, the Master has large, thick side plastic trim that incorporates slightly recessed orange marker lights, to avoid them getting damaged. These plastic trims should help save any damage to the bodywork on low-impact scrapes in car parks.
The rear end was left untouched for the facelift, which is a shame as some improvements could be made, such as moving the high-level brake light above the rear windows rather than being under them at the same height as the rear light clusters. But other than that, it is practical, with large opening doors that allow excellent access to the interior when using the wheelchair lift.
Quality conversion
Opening the side entry door, I was instantly impressed by the craftsmanship that has gone into this conversion. The interior is light and airy, and every change that has been made to the base van has been done to a high standard.
Entry into the vehicle is made easier by a stepwell formed and fitted with an integral folding step, which when lowered provides three steps of approximately 7” each and has yellow safety edging for the visually impaired. Two folding candy cain handrails assist boarding passengers, while two full height handrails are provided in the vehicle saloon. The single seat by the entry door benefits from a weather screen. The entry step lies flush with the saloon floor when not in use.
The vehicle tested had an overall capacity of 13 seats, two next to the driver and 11 Phoenix seats mounted on Unwin tracking in the saloon, meaning that it was also possible to carry up to two wheelchair passengers by removing some of the rear seats. A BraunAbility Vista series inboard stacking platform wheelchair lift was fitted at the rear of the vehicle with a Safe Working Load rating of 363kg. The stacking platform is stowed below the vehicle’s window line, ensuring good all-around visibility for both the passengers and the driver. The lift is quick in operation and features spotlights mounted on the frame to aid night time use. An LED light is also fitted into the saloon roof over the wheelchair loading area.
The 13 Phoenix Blenheim seats are wipe clean and come complete with standard lap and diagonal seatbelts, along with headrests with integrated grab handles. The total weight of each seat comes in at 15.5kg. Eight out of the 11 passenger seats are fitted with Unwin HAL lockable seat fixtures to allow them to be easily removed to carry two wheelchairs. A soft trimmed wheelchair equipment storage box is provided to the offside rear of the vehicle.
All of the internal cavities of the vehicle are filled with glass wool for insulation. The interior is then trimmed in two-tone grey hard-wearing soft trim, whilst the saloon floor is overlaid in slip resistant safety flooring edged all round.
Ventilation is proved by a Stedall coach-style three-way adjustable roof vent glass panel; sliding window units can be specified but were not fitted to this vehicle.
Much improved cab
The driver’s environment is much improved over the previous version, with higher quality materials used for the dashboard and switchgear.
Although the dashboard is not as fancy as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Renault Master can hold its own in terms of practicality, and it has all the creature comforts such as USB ports, an improved radio with Bluetooth and MP3 capability, auto headlights/wipers, electric heated mirrors, electric windows and central locking as standard.
The steering wheel has also been updated and is a great improvement. It now has somewhere to put your thumbs when you are driving correctly in the 10 to 2 position, although that is no longer recommended due to airbag deployment in an accident causing injury!
The air vents and switchgear for the demister unit are much more car-like, whilst the bank of switches that includes the hazard lights, central locking and Eco mode is well placed for quick operation. The dash binnacle is much improved too; Renault has removed the 1990s-style red display screen and replaced it with a crystal clear black and ice white version which displays a wealth of information.
Minibus Options has managed to install the body electric controls neatly in the dash above the radio, which was previously one of the many cubby holes dotted around the dash.
Out on the road
Whilst the weather had been relatively mild this winter, with hardly any frosts, I had managed to time my visit with an impending cold snap. By the time I had got behind the wheel the snow was just starting. This was fine with me as it meant a more demanding test drive for the vehicle.
The Renault Master is a driver’s vehicle – sat behind the wheel you feel you have a connection with it. Maybe it’s because I have owned Renault cars in the past or just because the Master feels rugged in that you have all the functions you need, but they are not all controlled by computer. There is no cruise control, it has a manual six-speed gearbox and excellent all-round vision.
The 2.3dci Euro 6.2 engine delivers 135hp to the front wheels and promises a combined 40.9 mpg, which is good for the size of the vehicle. The maximum torque is 360Nm.
Departing Whaley Bridge, I planned to head for Buxton. The road out of Whaley Bridge involves several hills and tight bends. When I departed the vehicle compound the temperature showing on the dash display was 3°C, and as I climbed the hills on the A6 the temperature was rapidly dropping and the snowfall increasing.
The 2.3dci engine is quite nimble and despite its short gear ratios, I was quite enjoying the drive. The steering is accurate and the brakes progressive. By this stage, the four-speed demister motor was being put to good use keeping the windows clear and me warm as the temperature reached -1°C. The auto headlights and wipers were both working well (the sensor is located in the middle at the top of the windscreen). Of note is that the inboard BraunAbility wheelchair lift at the rear of the vehicle is completely silent – there is no banging, crashing or metal on metal noise.
By now, the snowfall was covering the ground and coating the front of passing vehicles. The Renault Master comes with Continental VanContact Eco tyres as standard, which were proving their worth as conditions deteriorated; cornering remained stable and the rear end remained firmly on the road, no doubt helped by the weight of the wheelchair lift.
Given the road conditions, I decided to come back via the A5004 and make a stop at Goyt Valley for some photographs. This gave me chance to see how the Master handled the descent into the valley in snowy conditions. Electronic Stability Control and ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) are standard equipment, so I was confident that the snow-covered hills would be no issue.
Using engine braking to control the vehicle’s speed, the descent into the Goyt Valley was fine; the Master remained composed and did not slip at any point.
By the time I had photographed the vehicle and left to return up the various hills, the snow on the ground had started to turn to slush and no more was falling from the sky.
Returning to Minibus Options I was happy with both the high standard of the vehicle conversion and that the Renault Master proved to be a better drive than some of the more expensive options on the market.
It should also be noted that Minibus Options can supply the fully electric Renault Master Z.E. and has already converted one, which was delivered to the customer last year.
Watch a video tour of the new Master on the CBW YouTube channel by following this link: bit.ly/cbwmaster
