Renault Australia is launching a high quality, high value, 12-seat passenger bus based on the popular Master L3H2 long wheelbase van.
The front-wheel drive Master Bus uses the same frugal 2.3-litre 110kW/350Nm Euro 5-compliant engine teamed with 6-speed automated manual transmission that has been available in the van versions since 2012.
A full complement of active and passive safety features are standard along with a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, cruise control and speed limiter, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, Hill Start Assist and Grip X-Tend – a traction enhancer for slippery surfaces.
With a rated 3.9-tonne GVM, the 12-seater bus has ample comfort, space and payload (1252kg) for passengers and their luggage, while the 2.5-tonne towing capacity is identical to that of commercial versions. The luggage area is 3.5m3, giving the bus more load space than that of a standard Renault Kangoo van.
The roof of the bus is rated to carry 200kg including the roof rack.
A left-side sliding door is standard, along with dual barn doors at the rear that incorporate a neat, and easy to use, 270-degree opening function that allows the doors to be folded back against the body sides to facilitate loading.
The Master Bus offers exceptional interior space with an especially impressive 1880mm of headroom, allowing a typical Australian-sized male to stand up without his head connecting with the ceiling. In spite of this, the overall vehicle height is only 2475mm, thanks to the front wheel-drive layout.
Wider seats combine with plentiful legroom for a spacious passenger environment. The seating layout is 3/2/2-1/4 with a centre aisle, making access easy for all types of passengers from youth to older Australians.
There are seatbelts at each position as well as 2 seats with ISOFIX connections and child seat top tether straps, in accordance with local regulations.
All versions come with a secondary passenger compartment air conditioning system designed to cope with Australian conditions. The blower unit is located over the luggage bay and blows into the passenger area, complementing the front-mounted standard van system.
A glazed emergency hatch in the roof, reclining seat backs for the two middle rows, hard-wearing vinyl flooring, original equipment-quality interior trim mouldings, durable, soft and attractive two-tone grey jacquard fabric seat facings that match the front seats, and an auto side step below the sliding door that slides out when the door opens, are all part of the feature-rich standard specification.
Two option packs will be offered, with the Premium Pack available immediately, adding an electrically powered sliding left-hand side door, auto headlights and rain sensing wipers, R-Link enhanced satellite navigation with touchscreen, hands-free entry, 4 USB charging sockets, LED roof lighting, side and rear window curtains, premium carpeting and reclining rear row seats.
The Luxury Pack, which arrives a little later in 2016, adds the contents of the Premium Pack and leather upholstery for all seats, lane departure warning, storage under the front passenger seat, an alarm, automatic high/low beam headlight function and dark tinted windows.
Each of these Premium and Luxury Pack features are available individually to special order. The Premium Pack has a RRP of $3,590 and the Luxury Pack has a RRP of $7,990.
Renault is also developing a version of the Bus without seats or elevated floor, suitable for converters to install wheelchair access equipment, while maintaining the high quality passenger vehicle interior ambience and fittings.
The Renault Master Bus is covered by the same high-value reassurance features as all members of the increasingly-popular Master range; a 3-year/200,000km warranty extendable to 4 or 5 years, 24-hour roadside assistance for the warranty period, Capped Price Servicing for the first 3 scheduled services at $349 each, with service intervals up to 30,000km apart.
The Renault Master Bus is available in broad range of 7 solid and 3 metallic colours.
“We’ve decided to bring the Master Bus to the Australian market because we recognise the demand for an affordably-priced, high quality, well-equipped, comfortable and spacious bus that requires no compromises by customers or passengers,” says Lyndon Healey, Model Line Manager for Renault Australia LCV.
“Renault has long been a supplier of buses for hotels, schools, aged care and private transport companies across Europe, and we are pleased to be able to offer this product to similar customer groups here in Australia in 2016,” he says.
“We have spent 18 months talking to prospective bus customers and refining the product, to ensure it is suitable for Australian driving and loading conditions, and to meet the expectations of the Australian market in terms of features, equipment and price.
“The Master Bus is produced in large numbers in Europe so it is built to a predictable and high level of quality. Significant effort has been put into assembly and quality assurance to ensure a long and trouble-free working life.
“There is also a significant amount of luggage space which may obviate the need to tow a trailer, adding convenience, security and fuel efficiency benefits,” Lyndon says.
“The specification allows the bus to be driven on a regular car licence, which will make it easy for schools, churches, local councils, sports and social clubs, hospitality, local government, rental and shuttle operators to allow a wide range of staff to drive the vehicle.
“In addition, we can see opportunities for car dealerships to utilise this vehicle for transferring service drop-offs to public transport nodes or city centre locations,” he says.
“With up to 30,000km or 12-month service intervals, as well as proven mechanicals, a long factory warranty of 200,000km or 3 years, as well as our Capped Price Servicing of $349 for the first 3 scheduled services, Renault has a product that is extremely competitive in the local market,” Lyndon says.
“Initial response from fleet customers indicates the Master Bus will be a popular addition to the expanding Master range,” he says.
