Renault puts on vantastic display at CV SHOW
As befits Europe’s number one light commercials brand, the Renault and Renault Pro+ brand had a very impressive display at the CV Show last week n Birmingham.
The Renault stand will showcased an unprecedented 15 vehicles that illustrate the diversity and versatility of the extensive Renault LCV range with a number of debuts.
Models on display included the new Master Z.E. and uprated Kangoo Van Z.E., both due in the Ireland later this year. There was also a special ‘Formula Editions’ of Master, Trafic and Kangoo, which is a celebration of the Pro+ logistics partnership with the Renault Sport Formula One Team.
New Master is electric
When it becomes available in Ireland early next year, the New Master Z.E. will have a range of up to 124 miles/ 200 kms. That’s likely to be circa 70 miles in real world conditions, using a similar 33kWh battery pack and R60 motor system as the Kangoo Van Z.E. Similar to the updated Kangoo, the new Master can also be fully charged in six hours.
Renault says that it brought forward development and production of the new Master Z.E. due to customer demand. As Europe’s biggest selling LCV brand, it also sees Iveco launching an electric version of the Daily and Volkswagen plans trials later this year of an e-Crafter.
The market for large volume capacity electric vans is the so-called last-mile urban delivery service.
Newly revised Kangoo Van Z.E.
The New Kangoo Van Z.E. has been heavily revised and goes on sale this summer. Itnow has over 50 per cent more range than before – 168 miles/ 270 Kms (NEDC) which, according to Renault equate to 124miles/ 200Kms in real world usage. That means that the Kangoo ZE now has the longest range of any production electric van.
Charging has been much improved – taking six hours for a full charge now, compared to eight hours for less range on the previous model. It also now features a new standard-fit heat pump technology that operates through the air conditioning system without significantly reducing range through over working electrical components. Renault also says helps it perform better in cold weather.
With 25,000 units sold since its launch in 2011, Renault claimed the Kangoo ZE has been Europe’s best-selling electric van for six years.
Renault has confirmed that its Alaskan pickup truck will be sold in Ireland. Speaking to the press on the eve of the CV Show 2017, the global chief marketing director for Renault pickups, Marina Picard, said that the UK and Ireland would definitely be getting the Alaskan. Based on the very successful Nissan NP300 Navara, the Alaskan has already gone on sale with great success in South America.
No date was given for an Irish launch but expect to see it next January. It will be built in Nissan’s Barcelona plant alongside the Navara.
What else did Renault have at the CV Show
A range of enhanced traction models were also on display. The ‘Extended Grip Kangoo’, which is an traction-enhanced front-wheel drive small van designed to handle mild off-road capability when required.
Renault also has the Master 4×4, which is still undergoing development. In addition, the stand featured brand-new bespoke range of conversions.
Renault gave a world premier of the new Trafic dropside. And I was told that the Luton-bodied Master LoLoader, which was on display, was Renault’s fastest selling conversion in the UK market.
Dacia Duster Commercial
Renault also offers Dacia Duster SUV as a Commercia, powered by a 107hp 1.5-litre dCi 110 diesel that comes as a 4×2 and 4×4. Highlights include 60.1 mpg fuel economy, a 550kg Gross payload, a 1.6 Cubic Metres Load Volume., and a flat 1,400mm false cargo deck, with 1,000mm between the wheel arches.
LCV news from elsewhere at the CV Show
In addition to the the Renault Master and Kangoo ZE, the CV Show hosted some other major new LCV launches. There was UK premiere of the impressive Volkswagen Crafter and its step-brother, MAN’s new TGE, which is not expected to go on sale in Ireland within the next couple of year.
Isuzu launched their new D-Max pick-up, and Mitsubishi debuted an extreme off-road version of their L200 pick-up. Toyota featured a Hilux Tipper, as well refrigerated Proace panel vans and standard racking kits. Peugeot had three new body derivatives of the Peugeot Partner.
Ford’s new six-speed automatic Transits were on display, and another interesting one was the world’s first low-floor electric minibus in the form of the Mellor Coachcraft Orion E.
The Chinese connection was highlighted with the new LDV EG10 people mover which will go on sale next year. LDV also had the first electric commercial vehicle, the LDV EV80, the first Chinese production-ready, all-electric, light-duty van was on display at the annual CV Show with an expected market launch date later this year.
One that caught my eye on the LDV stand was their new LDV Maxus 3.5t LWB chassis cab equipped with a Dyson TR2A fixed bed transporter body which included a loading winch, chassis locker, rear loading ramps, safety lighting, cable/radio remote and rear towing equipment. It’s available to order in Ireland at the moment at a great price in the region of €36,000.
Finally, the CV Show saw a range of Chinese-built DFSK microvans made a return to the UK under a new importer.