RENAULT MASTER CONVERSION SCORES POINTS WITH RENAULT SPORT FORMULA ONE GROUP – North East Connected

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The manoeuvrability and bespoke design of a Renault Master closed transporter conversion is proving to be a winning formula for the logistics division of Renault Sport Formula One Team.

Constructed to the team’s exact specification via the Renault Accredited Convertor programme, the Renault Master single-car transporter is used primarily by Renault Sport Formula One Team for the transportation of its show vehicles throughout Europe.

Its addition To Renault Sport Racing’s transportation fleet, which is supported through an official partnership with the specialised Renault Pro+ commercial vehicle division, enables the team to generate significant savings in terms of cost, efficiency and manpower in comparison to its previous methods of moving static display vehicles to circa 200 events a year.

Built by newly-accredited Renault converter, Advanced KFS (AKFS), the transporter is based on the FWD, 3.5-tonne Master Platform Cab (LL35) and is powered by the 170hp dCi 170 2.3-litre diesel engine, which utilises twin turbo technology to deliver strong performance while returning up to 37.7mpg (combined). Refinement and efficiency are heightened with the advanced engine being matched to a six-speed manual transmission.

The conversion has been engineered to allow a Renault Sport Formula One Team show car – essentially a previous season R.S.17 chassis that has had its R.E.17 engine replaced by a space frame, but is finished in the latest livery – to be loaded or unloaded by a single person in as little as 15 minutes.

Previously, the team would either use a tow vehicle and trailer, employ an external company or, on some occasions, one of its 40-tonne trucks to transport any of its 20-strong collection of display vehicles.

As well as the Master transporter being more manoeuvrable than the team’s previous transport solutions, especially when it comes to negotiating the often tight entrances to venues and the rural roads around the team’s Enstone base in Oxfordshire, the time- and labour-saving gains it offers in terms of loading means that it can be pressed into service with little notice. Most notably, this has seen the Master conversion used to transport one of the team’s race cars to Valencia for last-minute testing and, closer to home, conveniently deliver and collect vehicles that are undergoing work with the team’s local suppliers.

Working in close collaboration with Renault Sport Formula One Team, especially in determining the angle of the conversion’s internal ramps so that the minimal ground clearance of the team’s race cars would not pose an issue, AKFS equipped the rear load area with a 10.6 kN electric winch for simple, safe loading and unloading, plus optimised storage space that includes a shelf which to securely carry the car’s removable nose cone while in transit.

The Master transporter offers Renault Sport Formula One Team a highly usable payload of 844 kg, with a show car weighing only 350 kg and an F1 car in full race trim tipping the scales at circa 700 kg. Adding to the conversion’s convenience is that it can be driven on a normal car licence, allowing Renault Sport Formula One Team immense flexibility in who can use its latest Master.

In addition to the benefits of the tailored conversion, Renault Sport Formula One Team also enjoys the comprehensive standard specification of the base Renault Master, which in Business trim includes an alarm and electronic immobiliser, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), heated and electrically-adjustable door mirrors, central locking, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with Grip Xtend, Hill Start Assist, DAB radio with Bluetooth and multi-function trip computer.

Like all Renault Pro+ commercial vehicles, the base Renault Master benefits from the standard Renault 100,000-mile/three-year warranty, while the quality of the conversion is illustrated through AKFS matching the manufacturer’s cover.

Tim Baston, Static Show Car Supervisor, Renault Sport Formula One Team, said: “Having the transporter has made a major impact on the efficiency of our show car operation. It’s constantly out at events, going as far afield as Spain, France and Belgium, and its ease of use means we are saving in all areas, particularly in manpower as only one person is now needed, which allows us to enjoy financial gains in travelling expenses and also grow productivity back at base.”

“The sheer speed in which the Master can be loaded and out on the road also allows us to take advantage of last minute opportunities in terms of transporting our vehicles for additional purposes, while there’s also been a great deal of positive feedback on the actual drive and the quality of the conversion. It’s simply made moving our show vehicles a whole lot easier and more cost-effective.”

Vincent Tourette, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, commented: “To have Renault Sport Formula One Team as a customer of our accredited converter programme is a superb illustration of how our specialised, bespoke vehicles are created to the highest standards and tailored to our clients’ individual requirements. The Master conversion strengthens the partnership between Renault Pro+ and the team and we are exceptionally pleased that it is playing a major role in the logistics behind raising awareness and the profile of Renault Sport Formula One Team throughout Europe.”

The Renault Master is at the heart of the Renault Accredited Converter programme, which consists of over 30 approved converters who have been recognised to meet the demanding standards of Renault. Its variety and versatility enable it to form the basis of built-to-order specialised conversions that include welfare units, ambulances, temperature-controlled vans, horseboxes, transporters, ‘cherry pickers’ with cranes and platforms, minibuses, motorhomes and campers, and construction vehicles.

These bespoke vehicles complement a host of off-the-shelf Renault factory conversions that include Tipper, Dropside, Luton LoLoader and Box Van variants.

For further details on the Renault Accredited Converter programme and factory conversions, visit www.conversions.renault.co.uk. Renault also provides customers with a dedicated Converter Hotline on 0800 040 7343.

The award-winning Renault Pro+ Commercial Vehicle range is supported by Renault Pro+ Business Centres as part of the dealer network, which has been developed to meet the specific requirements of business customers. Benefits of the highly specialised network include finance products tailored for professional customers, extended opening hours and courtesy vehicles that are of the same category (wherever possible), to a dedicated after sales contact.