Nissan · 1980–present

Nissan NV400

The Renault Master is a large van produced by the French manufacturer Renault since 1980, now in its fourth generation. It replaced the earlier Renault Super Goélette light trucks. It is also sold as the Nissan Interstar. Opel and Vauxhall have sold versions of the second and third series vans as the Opel Movano in Continental Europe and Vauxhall Movano in the United Kingdom. All four generations have been designed and manufactured by Renault, irrespective of the brand. Renault Trucks markets it as the Renault Trucks Master. Over its lifetime, several different body styles have been available, from the standard van to bigger models with an increased load area, height, and longer wheelbases with an LWB prefix. Panel vans and crew vans are very common, but pickups are also available. Heavier duty models of the Master were also sold by (now Volvo owned) Renault Trucks as the B series, later as the Messenger and the Mascott.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Nissan Interstar

All Nissan NV400 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (1980–1997)

The original Renault Master was launched in September 1980. Originally launched with the 2.4 L (2,445 cc) Fiat-Sofim diesel engine, and from 1984 also with the 2.1 L (2,068 cc) power unit. In rare cases the Master was sold with a 2.0 L or 2.2 L Renault petrol engine. In 1990, a marginally larger (2499 cc) version of the Sofim diesel replaced the earlier version. They competed with a number of other manufacturer's products, and completed Renault's commercial range, after the Dodge 50 Series, which was latterly being built as the Renault 50 Series, after Renault's acquisition of the Dodge production facilities in the United Kingdom (at the time of Peugeot's takeover of Chrysler Europe). The smaller Renault Trafic was also launched in 1980, resulting in a large range of light commercial vehicles. The Master was distinctively styled with the sliding door design and unusual round door handles, similar to those of the Fiat Ritmo/Strada. The van was manufactured at Renault's then new SoVAB Batilly plant in northeastern France. Renault B series / Messenger. An alternative heavier duty version which appeared almost identical, was sold by Renault Trucks as the Renault B70 to B120. It first appeared as the 70 PS (51 kW) B70 (diesel) and as the 80 PS (59 kW) B80 (petrol) in the end of 1982. It was a light truck with a Renault Master I body on a separate chassis, with rear wheel drive and rear dual wheels. The B series was offered with a range of alternative body options. As the Master (and the smaller Trafic) both carried manufacturer's plates from Renault's automobile division, RVI's production numbers appeared to plummet as the SG2 and SG3 were gradually replaced. It was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1990, gradually replacing the previous Chrysler Europe-developed Dodge/Ren

Second generation (1997–2010)

The second generation Renault Master, which arrived in November 1997, was more conventional in appearance and, though primarily developed by Renault, was available from 1998 as the almost identical Opel Movano (badged in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Movano), and from Renault's closely related partner Nissan, from whom it was available as the Nissan Interstar from 2003. This arrangement mirrors the collaboration between these companies on the Master's smaller counterpart, the Renault Trafic; within the industry, similar platform sharing arrangements existed between Fiat and Peugeot/Citroën, and also between Volkswagen and Mercedes. The second generation of the Renault Master and the second generation of the Iveco Daily share many panels and some components of the cab, including the doors due to an agreement between Iveco and Renault stipulated in July 1994. The agreement provided for the production and sharing of common components for a total of 120 thousand pieces a year produced in the various factories of Brescia (Italy, Iveco), Suzzara (Italy, Iveco), Valladolid (Spain, Iveco) and Batilly (France, Renault factory). The Master used the Renault S-Type engine in S9U and S8W/S9W versions, the G-Type engine (G9T) and the Nissan YD engine. Displacements available (not across all chassis/body sizes) included 2.2, 2.5, and 2.8 litres with a range of power outputs. In certain markets it was also available with the Renault F-Type engine in the F9Q versions, the 1.9 liters engine, both dti and dci with power range between 80 respectively 82 hp. The van received a mid life major facelift in the end of 2003, with the headlight area being heavily restyled (together with cosmetic changes to rear lights, wing mirrors, and dashboard), resulting in the front end somewhat resemb

Third generation (2010–2024)

A new generation of the Renault Master was introduced in the summer of 2010, again including the rebadged Opel/Vauxhall Movano and Nissan NV400. It is the first time that either the Opel/Vauxhall or Nissan has been available with single/twin rear wheel drive. The M-type 2.3-litre four cylinder diesel engine is shared by all four marques, and is available in three states of tune, from 100 PS (74 kW; 99 bhp) to 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp). Renault Trucks discontinued the Mascott and sold the third generation Master in chassis cab format only, with payloads of up to 2.5 tonnes. In the United Kingdom, the Movano is available in a large range of height, length and weight configurations, and capable of transporting up to 4,500 kg (9,900 lb). In April 2014, the front grille was facelifted on the Renault Master and Renault Trucks Master Red but the facelift did not apply to the Opel/Vauxhall and Nissan versions. On 18 April 2016, Renault announced starting producing an off-road version of the Renault Master, with a four-wheel drive layout. In South Korea, FF Layout Master L1H1(S) and L2H2(L) panel van were launched on 15 October 2018. They are imported from France. The first Master in South Korean market will be diesel with manual gearbox. Short version trim(S)'s price are 29,000,000won, Long body van(L)'s price are 31,000,000won. Renault Korea possibly consider the competitors as the Hyundai Starex and Hyundai H350. In September 2019, a facelifted model was introduced for the 2020 model year. In Summer 2021, the Opel/Vauxhall Movano was discontinued due to the partnership of Opel/Vauxhall with Groupe PSA, now known as Stellantis, and replaced with a new Movano, based on the Fiat Ducato. In 2022, the Nissan version reverted to using the Interstar name. In Spring 2022, the short mo

Fourth generation (XDD; 2024)

The fourth generation Master was unveiled on November 21, 2023, at the Solutrans Motor Show in Lyon. It is available with internal combustion, electric, or hydrogen powertrains. It was named International Van of the Year 2025 on September 16, 2023, making it the fifth van from the French manufacturer to win the award. A new generation of the Nissan Interstar, derived from this utility vehicle, was unveiled in February 2024.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Renault Master
Manufacturer: Renault
Production: 1980–present
Class: Light commercial vehicle (M), Large van
Predecessor: Saviem SG3, Renault 50 series (B series/Messenger), Nissan Trade
Successor: Fiat-based Opel/Vauxhall Movano (for Opel and Vauxhall models), Renault Maxity (Mascott)
sp: uk