Home »
Renault's new large van will have a starting price in the UK of £33,500 (ex VAT) with order books now open for the diesel models.
The Renault Master has been completely redesigned to make it more aerodynamic and to accomodate diesel, electric and hydrogen powertrains.
The van now gets a distinctive front-end with extra-large full-LED headlamps in the signature C-shape around the grille.
There's a choice of three diesel powertrains with nominal outputs of 130hp, 150hp and 170hp and available with the choice of a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission.
A wide range of body sizes give the Master range up to 14.8m3 of load volume, and there have been increases in size with a 40mm wider opening at the sliding side door and 100mm longer load than the previous version.
The new Master has also had a completely new interior which has seen a 25% increase in total cabin storage space.
As well as more premium materials, the steering wheel has been borrowed from the Renault passenger car range, while automatic versions now have the transmission controls on the steering wheel.
Standard equipment includes a 10-inch screen with wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and there are now 20 driver assistance systems for increased safety.
The Master was recently named International Van of the Year 2025 where it was praised for its bold design and innovation.
The New Renault Master is available to order now priced from £33,500 plus VAT, however, orders for new Renault Master E-Tech will open later in the year.
| MODEL | BASIC PRICE | VAT 20% | TOTAL RETAIL PRICE | OTR PRICE |
| Advance | ||||
| MM35 Blue dCI 130 Panel Advance MY24 | £33,500 | £6,700 | £40,200 | £41,290 |
| MM35 Blue dCI 150 Panel Advance MY24 | £34,250 | £6,850 | £41,100 | £42,190 |
| MM35 Blue dCI 150 Auto Panel Advance MY24 | £36,250 | £7,250 | £43,500 | £44,590 |
| LM35 Blue dCI 130 Panel Advance MY24 | £34,250 | £6,850 | £41,100 | £42,190 |
| LM35 Blue dCI 150 Panel Advance MY24 | £35,000 | £7,000 | £42,000 | £43,090 |
| LM35 Blue dCI 150 Auto Panel Advance MY24 | £37,000 | £7,400 | £44,400 | £45,490 |
| LH35 Blue dCI 130 Panel Advance MY24 | £35,250 | £7,050 | £42,300 | £43,390 |
| LH35 Blue dCI 150 Panel Advance MY24 | £36,000 | £7,200 | £43,200 | £44,290 |
| LH35 Blue dCI 150 Auto Panel Advance MY24 | £38,000 | £7,600 | £45,600 | £46,690 |
| MM35 Blue dCI 150 Panel Advance - Heavy Duty MY24 | £34,250 | £6,850 | £41,100 | £42,190 |
| LM35 Blue dCI 150 Panel Advance - Heavy Duty MY24 | £35,000 | £7,000 | £42,000 | £43,090 |
| LH35 Blue dCI 150 Panel Advance - Heavy Duty MY24 | £36,000 | £7,200 | £43,200 | £44,290 |
| Extra | ||||
| MM35 Blue dCI 130 Panel Extra MY24 | £35,000 | £7,000 | £42,000 | £43,090 |
| MM35 Blue dCI 150 Panel Extra MY24 | £35,750 | £7,150 | £42,900 | £43,990 |
| LM35 Blue dCI 130 Panel Extra MY24 | £35,750 | £7,150 | £42,900 | £43,990 |
| LM35 Blue dCI 150 Panel Extra MY24 | £36,500 | £7,300 | £43,800 | £44,890 |
| MM35 dCI 170 Auto Panel Extra MY24 | £38,500 | £7,700 | £46,200 | £47,290 |
| LM35 dCI 170 Auto Panel Extra MY24 | £39,250 | £7,850 | £47,100 | £48,190 |
| MODEL | BASIC PRICE | VAT 20% | TOTAL RETAIL PRICE | PiVG | OTR PRICE EX PiVG | OTR PRICE INC PiVG |
| Advance E-Tech | ||||||
| MM35 Panel Van E-Tech Advance MY24 | £42,500 | £8,500 | £51,000 | £5,000 | £51,755 | £46,755 |
| MM40 Panel Van E-Tech Advance MY24 | £45,500 | £9,100 | £54,600 | £5,000 | £55,355 | £50,355 |
| LM35 Panel Van E-Tech Advance MY24 | £43,250 | £8,650 | £51,900 | £5,000 | £52,655 | £47,655 |
| LM40 Panel Van E-Tech Advance MY24 | £46,250 | £9,250 | £55,500 | £5,000 | £56,255 | £51,255 |
The spiritual successor to the Renault Twizy Cargo has returned in the shape of the Mobilize Bento – a quadricycle van with a 649-litre cargo box body.
The fully electric Mobilize Bento is joined by the Mobilize Duo two-seat passenger model and will square up against the Citroen Ami Cargo and its passenger versions in the sub-£10k category of cars and vans that aren’t actually cars or vans.
They are in fact both quadricycles.
Like the Renault Twizy Cargo before it, the Bento replaces the rear passenger seat with some sensible storage.
However, rather than simply replacing the rear seat, the Mobilize van is even more practical with a dedicated and well proportioned loadspace, which Mobilize says is the equivalent to two car boots.
Like the Twizy Cargo was, it is also an L7e quadricycle, meaning it will be capable of 50mph - almost double the 28mph top speed of the Ami Cargo.
The Duo, passenger model will be available in two versions and homologated to either the L6e or the L7e quadricycle regulations.
The L6e versions can be driven in Europe without a full driving licence, and in the UK with an AM moped licence, but are limited to 28mph, like the Ami.
The L7e vans get a much higher maximum speed of up to 50mph, but will also have a significant power boost as well. L6e quadricycles must have less than 8bhp, but L7e quadricycles can have up to 21bhp.
Mobilize has yet to confirm the power output of the Duo or Bento in either L6e or L7e formats, however, they have given details on its range.
The Bento van gets a 10.3kWh (usable) NMC battery, which is the equivalent of a single module from the battery pack of the Renault 5 E-Tech electric car.
That means a range of 149km (93 miles) for the Bento, while the Duo gets a slightly improved range of up to 161km (100 miles) based on the WMTC standard for quadricycle homologation.
Mobilize says this will give drivers a range in excess of 100km (62 miles) during winter.
Charging is carried out using a standard domestic plug or with the option of a Type 2 plug compatible with most standard charging points.
There are no official charging speeds, but Mobilize says the Duo will "recover 25 km of range from a simple domestic socket in just one hour, the time to have lunch" - how very French.
Charging from 20% to 80% is said to take 3 hours 50 minutes using a domestic socket and 3 hours 25 minutes with a Type 2 socket.
Designed to access all areas of the city, the Bento is not a big vehicle, measuring just 2.54m in length, but the box body of the Bento's cargo area does pose an interesting opportunity for businesses to advertise themselves with a snazzy livery on what is sure to be a very attention grabbing city van - not least because of the elytra doors that open vertically to minimise space and prevent less of a hazard to other road users like cyclists.
Another interesting feature is the unpainted bodywork that instead gets a two-tone effect in black plastic.
The unpainted bumpers and rocker panels are said to feature a camouflage grain finish to disguise the bumps and dings a small van might get during its working life.
For the safety conscious, the Bento has one major upgrade, compared to the Ami Cargo, with Mobilize opting to specify an airbag as standard, despite quadricycle regulations not requiring one.
The Bento and Duo are set to be officially unveiled at the Paris motor show, with production vehicles arriving next year.
UK pricing has not yet been revealed, but expect it to at least match the Euro pricing which sees the Bento van priced at €10,000 excluding taxes.
| Mobilize Bento 80 | |
|---|---|
| Driving licence | A1/B1 licence |
| Keyless entry | s |
| Driver airbag | s |
| Orange dashboard | o |
| Bluetooth kit | o |
| USB-C connector | s |
| Phone holder | s |
| Heated driver’s seat | o |
| Heated windscreen | s |
| Comfort seats with premium upholstery | o |
| Air conditioning | o |
| Rear parking sensors | o |
| Mode 3, type 2 socket | o |
| “Iconic Orange" colour pack | o |
| Colour pack (other colours) | o |
| Prices from (France) | €10,000, excl. VAT |
Despite an increase in light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales, the electric van market continues to decline, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
September marked the fourth consecutive month of falling electric van registrations, a trend that has persisted throughout much of 2024.
While the overall LCV market has seen a significant uptick, with more than 48,000 new vans, 4x4s, and pickups registered in September alone, electric vehicles (EVs) are making up a smaller proportion of the mix.
The SMMT attributes this decline to several factors, including the higher cost of EVs compared to traditional diesel or petrol vehicles, a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure (particularly for larger commercial vehicles) and concerns among fleet operators about the commercial viability of transitioning to electric van fleets.
Despite significant investments by manufacturers to expand the range of available electric van models, the SMMT warns that the UK's target of 10% electric LCV sales by 2024 is at risk.
The SMMT has called on the Chancellor to implement measures to accelerate the adoption of EVs, such as extending the Plug-in Van Grant, equalising VAT on public charging, and mandating infrastructure targets to support commercial vehicle charging.
The total market for BEVs has declined 9.2% compared to 12 months ago with January to September registrations showing that 12,944 vans under 3.5-tonnes have been sold compared to 14,296 in the same period during 2023.
Sales of larger vans between 3.5 tonnes and 4.25 tonnes have, however, increased marginally, thanks to a greater acceptance and a degree of clarity on the special dispensation given to Class B licence holders, enabling them to drive a higher GVW van with only minimal training.
As a result, 1244 large electric vans have been sold in the first 9 months of 2024 compeared to 1,075 in the same period during 2023 - an increase of 15.7%.
September saw a huge increase in the number of these vans being registered with sales up 346% from 152 units in September 2023 to 678 in September 2024.
Diesel vans have also seen a signifcant jump in September registrations as the new 74-plate was introduced with an increase of 10.6% for diesel vans under 3.5-tonnes. A total of 40,372 new vans were registered in September 2023 while the 44,638 were sold in the same month in 2024.
Ford continues to dominate the sales charts with the three most popular vehicles overall.
The Ford Transit Custom leads the way followed by its large van sibling the Ford Transit.
Third position goes to the Ford Ranger pick-up truck, while Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Vauxhall Vivaro occupy fourth and fifth place.
Volkswagen's recently updated Transporter continues to sell, ahead of the Renault Trafic.
The trio of small Stellantis vans rounds out the top ten with the Berlingo proving marginally more popular than the Combo and Partner.
Vauxhall has begun its first UK customer trials of its hydrogen van.
The Vauxhall Vivaro Hydrogen will take part trials with top UK fleets during the coming months ahead of the UK launch of the larger sibling Vauxhall Movano Hydrogen van.
Sales in Europe of the Opel Vivaro Hydrogen have been steady since its launch two years ago, but the medium van failed to make the transition to right-hand-drive.
Based on the existing fully electric Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, the Vivaro Hydrogen uses a 45kW fuel cell with 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery that is located under the front seats to give a 249 mile driving range.
It has 5kg hydrogen fuel tanks, located under the loadspace floor, which can be re-filled in just five minutes, making the hydrogen model a better alternative for drivers looking for greater range than an electric van.
Vauxhall owners Stellantis refer to the hydrogen Vivaro as a mid-power concept. The 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery provides peak power when required (at start-up and under heavy acceleration) but a also also acts like a range extender, ensuring the fuel cell can run at optimum operating conditions.
Its plug-in capability enables the battery to be re-charged in the event of no hydrogen being available, giving up to 31 miles of electric range.
The hydrogen models gets the same dimensions of the Vivaro van with up to 6.1 m3 of loadspace volume.
While the hydrogen does not have the same overall Vivaro van weight, it does still manage a payload of 1,000kg.
The UK trial comes ahead of the launch of Vauxhall Movano Hydrogen, with orders set to open later this year and first deliveries expected in 2025.
James Taylor, Vauxhall MD, said: “As the UK’s best-selling electric van manufacturer for the past three years, we are already leading the way in electrifying Britain’s businesses. With a 311-mile range, zero-emissions-in-use and quick refuelling, the Movano Hydrogen will provide fleets with another sustainable option alongside our full line-up of battery electric vans.”
Although trials of the Vivaro have commenced there are no plans to the make the medium-sized van available in right-hand-drive.
The larger van has enabled the steering conversion, but the tight space under the bonnet of the Vivaro Hydrogen means that the switch to RHD isn't viable.
The Dacia Sandrider is set to make its competitive debut this week with a trio of drivers taking on the Rallye du Maroc.
Although not a van or even a pick-up truck, we wanted to bring you exciting news of this very distant-relative to the Dacia Duster Commercial in this important pre-Dakar Rally race.
The star-studded line-up of Nasser Al-Attiyah, Cristina Gutiérrez, and Sébastien Loeb will pilot the new Sandrider vehicles in the Ultimate category, marking a significant step in their preparation for the upcoming Dakar Rally.
The team has spent months testing the Sandrider in various conditions, including Morocco's challenging terrain. The Rallye du Maroc, often described as a miniature Dakar, will provide a valuable opportunity to put their learnings into practice.
With a total distance of 2,468km, spread over 5 stages, the rally will test both driver and machine to the limit.
While this is the first competitive outing for the Dacia Sandriders, the team's members have experience in rally-raid events, including Al-Attiyah's previous victory on the Rallye du Maroc in 2021.
The Dacia Sandriders have completed five test sessions and are now ready to take on Morocco which starts on 4 October.
Nasser Al-Attiyah starts the event in contention for a sixth overall title in what is now the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship following the discipline’s rebranding in 2022. After four rounds competing with other teams, Al-Attiyah and co-driver Edouard Boulanger top their respective championships by 25 and 20 points.
Speaking about the upcoming rally, Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah said: “Rallye du Maroc is not only very important for the championship, but also very important for the teams because everybody is coming to prepare for Dakar. At this moment we are leading the championship and from my side we need to be clever, we need to manage with a good speed and do no crazy thing because the Sandrider is a new car and we must try to work day by day. I hope to win the world title and be the world champion, it would be nice for me and for my co-driver Edouard as well.”
The Rallye du Maroc, which concludes on October 11, is not only a competitive event but also a crucial step in the Dacia Sandriders' preparation for the Dakar Rally, which takes place in January 2025.
Watch a video outlingin the route and staages for Rallye du Maroc below.
Leeds-based converter SM UK has been named as an official Ford Pro Convertor.
To earn Ford Pro Convertor status, companies must meet stringent standards in vehicle conversion, including design processes, stock control, and safety. SM UK underwent a thorough evaluation to demonstrate their capabilities and dedication to quality.
Conversions include a range of racking solutions as well as access ramps and other space optimising solutions.
With around 9/10 vans hitting the road having undergone some sort of conversion, it's becoming increasingly important for converters, bodybuilders, dealers and manufacturers to work together. Gaining Ford Pro Converter status recognises SM UK as a bona fide converter of Ford vans including the new Ford Transit Custom, Ford E-Transit Custom and Ford Transit Courier.
The FordPro Special Vehicles team commended SM UK on their accomplishment, praising their innovation, quality, and commitment to high standards. "We're excited to have them on board as Ford Pro Converters," they said.
Steve MacDonald, Chairman of SM UK, expressed his pride in the team's achievement. "Receiving Ford Pro Convertor status is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our team," he said. "Our goal is to provide exceptional conversion solutions, and this recognition from Ford highlights our commitment to excellence."
Tom Fenton, Van Conversion Divisional Manager at SM UK, emphasized the role of the team in achieving this recognition. "This is a fantastic tribute to our skilled workforce and the talent of our engineers and designers," he said. "We're excited about the opportunities this accolade will bring, including the ability to support Ford dealerships."
The Ford Pro Convertor status further enhances SM UK's reputation as a trusted provider of vehicle conversion services. As the company continues to grow, it is poised to play a significant role in the commercial vehicle market.
For more information on conversions read our guide on everything you need to know about a Luton van.
Hennessey has revealed a more powerful version of the Ford F-150 Raptor R boosting power to 800bhp.
The Hennessey Venom 800 F-150 has seen the Texas-based performance car tuner boost the already formidable power of the Raptor R to 800bhp @ 6,200 rpm and 757 lb-ft torque @ 4,100. With more than 1000Nm of torque, 1026Nm to be precise, the Venom 800 is said to be capable of 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and has a quarter mile time of just 11.7 seconds.
As well as more power, the Venom 800 truck also gets exterior and interior upgrades. There are changes to the suspension, wheels and tyres too.
Hennessey has added a 3-litre supercharger as well as upgrading the air-to-water intercooler. There's high-performance fuel injection, and high-flow air induction systems and also Hennessey’s proprietary engine management calibration.
The truck gets a dual-tip cat-back exhaust, and to help stop this full-size pick-up truck monster there are now six-piston Brembo performance brakes.
Hennessey Venom 800 upgrades include a six-inch BDS suspension lift, along with FOX coilovers and upgraded rear shocks.
There's also 20-inch Hennessey 10-spoke alloy wheels with 35-inch off-road tyres wrapped around them.
Bumpers get an upgrade too with front and rear steel ‘Venom’ bumpers, and integrated LED off-road lights.
It also gets a single-piece carbon fibre Hennessey grille. There are electronic fold-out running boards to help get into the enormous truck and illuminated Venom 800 front fender wing badges.
On the inside, there are embroidered leather headrests, all-weather Hennessey floor mats, American flag inserts, and a serial-numbered plaque to commemorate the madness that is the Venom 800 and its limited production run.
John Hennessey, company founder and CEO: “Demand for powerfully designed and engineered Hennessey trucks continues to grow strongly. Our new Venom 800 F-150 is the super truck that our clients have been asking for. Highly capable both on- and off-road, it offers the perfect combination of performance, utility, and luxury.”
Only 250 units are available worldwide, for 2024. Each model gets signature Hennessey badging and a serial-numbered engine plaque.
Today might be the first day the UK electricity grid has run without coal in more than a century and a half, but van manufacturing is not being left behind in the dark ages.
Volkswagen's Wrzesnia plant in Poland, production home to the Volkswagen Crafter, on Friday managed to operate entirely on solar power.
Last Friday, the plant belonging to Volkswagen Poznań (VWP) operated completely on solar power for the first time ever thanks to optimum weather conditions in the region.
The solar power plant located on the factory premises was able to supply 100% of the electricity required thanks to its 25,000 solar modules with a capacity of 15.2 megawatts.
The solar field covers an area of 22 hectares and was built in two phases with the first portion becoming operational in 2023.
The second part of the solar farm was recently completed in partnership with Quanta Energy, making it one of the largest on-site facilities of photovoltaic panels connected to a factory in Europe, as well as the largest in the Volkswagen Group.
The farm will apparently cover about 20% of the electricity demand at the VWP plant in Września on average, throughout the course of a year.
However, for the first time ever it was able to power the entire production facility.
“The new photovoltaic plant at the Września factory is a major step towards full energy self-sufficiency, as well as sustainable and environmentally friendly production. It also ensures that we have access to energy at stable prices.” said Stefanie Hegels, CEO of Volkswagen Poznań.
Volkswagen intends to be climate-neutral at all of the group's manufacturing sites by 2040.
More renewable energy projects are already being planned in Wrzesnia, including an additional solar farm with a capacity of 3.1 MW and a 6.5 MW rooftop system.
Paperwork has already been completed for the construction of wind turbines on the site to further boost their renewable energy production.
Two electric vans have featured in auction company Aston Barclay’s LCV desirability index. This is the first time that they have appeared in the in September report.
Top of the pile was the Ford E-Transit, with a score of 11.2, followed by the Toyota Hilux which managed a score of 10.1 in the index.
A suprising new addition was the Maxus eDeliver 5 which appeared in eighth place, making it two battery electric vans in inside the top ten.
Ford dominated the September index with five LCVs on the list. A total of four Ford vans and one pick up made the cut, with medium and large panel vans making up the lion’s share of the table.
Four pick-up trucks also appeared in the top 15 of the Index which included the Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara, as well as the most desireable Toyota Hilux at number two.
The used LCV stock mix remains diverse as reported by Aston Barclay in the summer. It includes many different models that are desirable due to their value in the current market. That shows that buyers aren't chasing the most fashionable makes and models, but choosing based on price.
The report also notes that August and September LCV demand and prices have improved and are back to pre-Covid levels. This is apparently another reason why SMEs have started to replace their current vehicle or expand their fleet.
“The used LCV market sprang into life this summer when traditionally it is quiet, injecting real confidence into the market. We are seeing strong competition for LCVs, with many buyers snapping up vehicles in large batches. Electric vans look very good value now and for operators who work in a lower mileage back-to-base environment they represent an attractive option,” explained Nick Thompson, Aston Barclay’s chief customer officer.
The desirability index takes into account three key metrics - web views prior to sale, number of physical and online sale bids, and sale price achieved as a percentage of CAP average.
| Make | Model | Desirability Score |
| Ford | E-Transit | 11.2 |
| Toyota | Hilux | 10.1 |
| Ford | Courier | 8.0 |
| Peugeot | Boxer | 7.4 |
| Vauxhall | Movano | 7.4 |
| Isuzu | D-Max | 7.2 |
| Maxus | E-Deliver 5 | 7.0 |
| Ford | Transit Custom | 6.5 |
| Ford | Ranger | 6.4 |
| VW | Caddy | 6.3 |
| Toyota | ProAce | 6.0 |
| Ford | Transit | 6.0 |
| Citroen | Relay | 6.0 |
| Nissan | Navara | 5.8 |
| Mercedes | Vito | 5.6 |
A future update to the Iveco Daily and Iveco eDaily will enable drivers to access satellite navigation linked with the precise global positioning service what3words.
The partnership between Iveco and what3words means drivers will be able to find precise locations be it a new build property, specific building entrance, loading bay or unaddressed construction site.
What3words has assigned each 3m x 3m square of the world with a unique combination of three words.
This identifier can then be used to accurately find a location.
Searching for ///cabinets.pardon.advising will take you to the entrance of the Iveco's headquarters in Italy. While the search ///vans.reviews.news will take you to a field outside Bubwith in Yorkshire.
Used in emergency situations to identify the precise location of someone in need of help in a rural area, what3words is also expected to improve delivery efficiency by taking the guesswork and time out of finding addresses.
Iveco vans are expected to be integrated with the system, with the ability for text input, by the end of this year. In 2025, functionality will increase to allow voice entry through Driver Pal, Iveco’s Amazon Alexa powered voice command technology.
Available in more than 60 languages including Italian, Spanish, English, French, German and Polish, drivers can choose their preferred language.
Lorenzo Marangio, head of Iveco service solution said: “Developing state-of-the-art services for our vehicles is our true mission, as to provide our customers the mobility solutions that meet at best their needs. At Iveco our goal is to positively impact the TCO and the profitability of our customers' business. We are constantly working to simplify our drivers and operators’ lives and the partnership with what3words represents an additional step forward in this direction.”
Co-founder and CEO of what3words, Chris Sheldrick said: “Our partnership with Iveco marks a significant milestone in the evolution of location technology for transportation and commercial vehicles. By simplifying precise locations to just three words, what3words enables Iveco drivers to navigate anywhere with unparalleled accuracy.”
