Back to the eighties with a light truck model that had just started its career and a small cargo van from its last production year. The Renault B-series (‘Gamme B’) of vans and trucks was introduced at the end of 1982 and was built by Renault Véhicules Industriels, the truck division of the French manufacturer. The production run of the venerable Renault 4 F4 Fourgonnette, on the other hand, ended in 1988.
The B-series was essentially a heavy-duty Renault Master Mk1; a ladder frame, leaf springs on both axles, and an RWD (later on also 4WD) drivetrain with dual rear wheels were all part of the package. Their gross weight rating ranged from 3.5 tonnes (7,716 lbs) to 6.5 tonnes (14,330 lbs) and they were only available with four-cylinder diesels and turbodiesels, the most powerful variant was the 118 DIN-hp B120.
This 1984 car transporter is a 3.5 tonnes B70, powered by a naturally aspirated Sofim diesel engine with a displacement of 2,445 cc and a maximum power output of 72 DIN-hp. All Renault B-series vans and trucks came with a five-speed ZF transmission.
Sofim (or SOFIM) stands for Société Franco Italienne de Moteurs. In French, anyway. It’s a bit different in Italian, but the abbreviation Sofim still stands.
Commonplace in the car hauling business, a chassis cab with a dedicated body, capable of towing a trailer for transporting another vehicle. Many dealerships own such a truck, though normally a much younger one.
Slightly rough around the edges, the 1988 Renault 4 F4 Fourgonnette, relaxing on the bed. Unarguably, the R4 F4 is the quintessential, classic small cargo van from France.
This duo of modern Renault Masters was also on display in the same parking lot, so we might as well have a look at them too. The current, fourth generation was unveiled at the end of 2023.
The metallic black, double cab van is equipped with air suspension and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its 2.0 liter twin-turbodiesel is good for 170 DIN-hp.
And this 2024 Renault Master Mk4 panel van is clearly a dealership demo vehicle. Just some numbers: a six-speed manual transmission, 150 DIN-hp from the 2.0 liter engine, wheelbase 422 cm (166.1”), payload capacity 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs).
When sitting in the driver’s seat, there’s nothing to complain about. It speaks for itself that a Master BEV is also available.
The only Renault Master clone these days is the Nissan Interstar III, as the Opel and Vauxhall Movano became members of the Stellantis + 1 full-size van family. You know, as in Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Jumper, Opel/Vauxhall Movano, Ram ProMaster, and Toyota Proace Max.
The new Master’s grille and headlights look very GM.
I guess Renault was inspired often from GM designs over the years. On this French site you can see some pictures of the Renault Prairie, Colorale and Savane who seems to be more or less inspired by the 1947-1953 Chevrolet trucks of the “Advance design” generation (the 1954 and 1955 first series got a redesigned front end) https://lautomobileancienne.com/tag/renault-prairie/
1954 Renault Colorale (picture from September 2016).
I’d like to have a turbo diesel with a 6-speed manual in my Promaster. The automatic in mine can be so obnoxious.
With the red “blade” on the grille and red label on front fender, these modern Master are sold by Renault Trucks (a Volvo AB subsidiary).
Indeed. Both vans come from the multi-location NEBIM dealership. One of those locations is pictured below; Renault Trucks on the left, Volvo Trucks on the right.
The Renault Master was a bit interesting back then.
The engine was under the seats and could drive the rear wheels.
Or one could opt to have it installed backwards to drive the front ones, just like the R4 on the back of that B Series.
Renault did some bizarre things back then.
SOFIM is new to me. Now part of Fiat powertrains. I think. (Trying to work out the mergers and swaps and intermarrying in any history of European truck making always results in crossed eyes and hairs raised).
The truck looks a bit like what they used with the Le Sharo mini motorhomes during the 80s here in the states.
Have a look here:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1985-winnebago-lesharo-turbo-diesel-23-mpg-if-it-still-has-the-original-renault-engine/
The US equivalent of the F4 is considerably heftier. When I worked at the tool rental yard our lighter transporter was a 1985 Ford F350 with dual rear wheels powered by a 6.9 liter NA V8 diesel and fitted with a hydraulic rollback bed. Because it had an extra low rear axle it could do 55mph but it could also haul a 7500lb Bobcat backhoe combination even though that exceeded the max weight rating by over a ton.
That is indeed a considerably heftier equivalent of an F4! 🙂
Dealerships and the like never own a truck with a hydraulic rollback bed. Those (usually bigger and more powerful) trucks with a tilt cab are only used by professional vehicle recovery companies.