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Renault has issued the following press release:
With the launch of several new and revised competitors in recent months, Europe’s number one van brand has revised both of its large vans, Trafic and Master. Among the changes to both products are the refreshed interiors and exterior styling, new standard and optional equipment, plus a new range of Euro 4 engines ranging in power from 90hp to 150hp.
Strong, expressive design
New Trafic has a bold, modern and dynamic design. The re-designed front features one-piece headlamp units with built-in indicators and a new radiator grille expressing the Renault visual identity. New lamp units at the rear of New Trafic enhance the vehicle’s dynamic appeal, and a new footplate makes for added practicality. The Renault name appears on the tailgate on New Trafic and New Master, as on the rears of the passenger car range.
New Master also features a new, more robust radiator grille design making a clearer statement on membership of the Renault vehicle range. The new bumper unit, with a 10% larger air inlet, to meet Euro 4 standards, can accommodate factory-fit foglamps.
Significant improvements have been made in dashboard assembly quality on New Trafic and New Master, both of which also feature new upholstery and interior finish. In addition, there are new stowage facilities on New Master: two overhead parcel shelves with 5-litre capacity for notepads, clipboard, etc. and a two-litre cubby on the centre gearshift console.
New Trafic
New Trafic will be available in a choice of two wheelbases (short and long ’ 3098mm and 3498mm), two roof heights (short and high, 1.96m and 2.50m) and three body types: panel van, commercial passenger vehicle (Trafic 9 Seat) and platform cab.
The best-selling version, SL (short wheelbase, low roof), has a load volume of 5m’, with a load length of 2.41m and an interior height of 1.38m. The long wheelbase version has a load volume of 5.93m’ and 40cm additional length. The high roof versions have 7m’ and 8m’ capacities and standing-room interior height of 1.91m. — PSA Peugeot Citroën and Fiat's new compact vans.
The six-seat Trafic Crew Van will also be available as it is currently, in both short and long wheelbase versions of the low roof models, with a load area of up to 4m’.
Engines
Arguably the most important revisions to the new Trafic and Master ranges are its powerplants.
For New Trafic, the introduction of Euro 4 standards brings two versions of the new 2.0 dCi (M9R) engine, developed jointly under the Renault-Nissan Alliance ’ 90hp and 115hp. Both new engines come with a six-speed manual gearbox. In addition, the 115hp version will shortly be released with a new six-speed robotized ’Quickshift6’ transmission. At the same time, the 2.5 dCi engine gets a power upgrade from 135hp to 150hp and a particulate filter. This unit is also available with a six-speed manual gearbox or robotized transmission. The 2.0 16V petrol version (120hp) also meets Euro 4 standards.
The 2.0 dCi (M9R) engine on New Trafic is more powerful, responsive and fuel-efficient than the outgoing 1.9 dCi engine, featuring all the latest diesel engine technologies, including piezo-electric injectors, 1600-bar common rail, fixed-geometry turbocharger and new-generation combustion chamber.
It comes in two power versions, both offering excellent response, driveability and fuel economy:
* 90hp, up from 80hp. Maximum power of 90hp is reached at an engine speed of 3,500rpm, and maximum torque of 240Nm from 1,600rpm. This engine comes with the new PF6 six-speed manual gearbox — Renault Grand Modus.
* 115hp, up from 100hp. Maximum power of 115hp is reached at an engine speed of 3,500rpm, and maximum torque of 290Nm from 1,600rpm. This engine comes with the new PF6 sixspeed manual gearbox, or (from 2007) with the PA0 six-speed Quickshift6 robotized transmission
In either version, the 2.0 dCi offers excellent response throughout its operating range, from low engine speeds up to the maximum of 4,000rpm. 90% of maximum torque is available from 1,500rpm up to 3,250rpm. These characteristics ensure power, comfort and safety.
For excellent efficiency, the 2.0 dCi engine is fitted with a Bosch piezo-electric injection system, which improves fuel injection speed. Another new feature is valve control with roller cam followers and hydraulic stops which reduces friction and thus lowers fuel consumption.
Joining the two 2.0 dCi engines in the New Trafic range is a new, top-of-the-range 2.5 dCi 150 with FAP (particulate filter). This engine also comes in 100hp and 120hp guise on New Master. The 2.5 dCi is derived from the 2.2 dCi, with common-rail direct injection, 16-valve cylinder head, and tubular twin overhead camshafts and roller cam followers.
With the transition to Euro 4, this powerful version develops 150hp at 3,500rpm, with maximum torque of 320Nm at 1,500rpm. On New Master, this unit, replaces the 136hp 3.0 dCi (ZD30) and addresses a clientele seeking a powerful and responsive engine with low fuel consumption.
Also on Master, the mid-range 120hp version is more flexible than its predecessor, with maximum torque of 300Nm, up from 290Nm. The 100hp version repositions New Master with respect to the competition, offering an excellent trade-off between low running costs and high performance, with low fuel consumption. — new Fiat Fiorino.
All of these new diesel engines are Euro 4 emissions compliant, as is the new 2.0 16V petrol engine which has already proven its worth on several Renault models (Sc’nic, Laguna and Espace). In New Trafic, it develops 120hp at 4,750rpm and maximum torque of 190Nm at 3,750rpm. The upgrade to Euro 4 standards involves precious-metal enhancement to the catalytic converter.
Renault continues to see strong demand for Euro 3 products, so to meet this need in the coming months, it will be offering a single version for its Trafic customers, SL dCi 100 Euro 3.
In keeping with the other revisions to New Trafic and New Master, both ranges also receive equipment upgrades, with comfort and safety features offering customers further enhancements in usability.
Master
Like its smaller brother, there will be a myriad of New Master versions. There will be a choice of three wheelbases (short, medium and long ’ 4.89m, 5.40m and 5.89m), three roof heights (short, medium and high, 2.25m, 2.48m and 2.72m) and three body types: panel van, commercial passenger vehicle (Master 6, 9 and 16 Seat) and platform cab.
The New Master load volume ranges from 8m’ to 13.9m’, with the long wheelbase version possessing a load volume of 5.9m’ and 40cm additional length. The taller versions have 7m’ and 8m’ capacities and standing-room interior height of 1.91m.