[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Renault's 15-seater bus, the 'Master,' is gaining attention as a mini bus optimized for camping, which has recently become a major trend.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 2nd, the number of registered camping cars reached about 25,000 by the end of 2019, a sixfold increase compared to around 4,000 in 2014. This means an annual increase of about 4,000 units, and the camping car market size grew to 600 billion KRW in 2019.
In February last year, a subordinate regulation of the Automobile Management Act was enacted, allowing all vehicle types including passenger cars, cargo trucks, and special vehicles to be converted into camping cars, which further expanded the camping car tuning market.
According to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, from February 28 to May 15, 2020, after the relaxed regulations were implemented, the number of tuned camping cars was 1,446, nearly three times more than the 487 units during the same period in 2019.
As camping car conversions increased, interest in the Renault Master also rose. Renault Samsung Motors offers conversions of the Renault Master into camping cars through modification companies.
The camping car based on the Renault Master 15-seater bus allows for a more spacious interior layout compared to the existing Master van-based camping cars. Therefore, beds, tables, and storage cabinets inside the camping car, which are generally foldable, can be installed as fixed fixtures.
The Renault Master 15-seater bus has a wheelbase?the distance between the front and rear wheels that most affects the vehicle's interior space?of 4,335 mm, which is 250 mm longer than the long-wheelbase models commonly used as village buses by competitors, allowing for a spacious camping car interior without additional space expansion.
The long wheelbase also provides excellent driving stability. The Renault Master 15-seater bus measures 6,225 mm in length, 2,075 mm in width, and 2,495 mm in height, offering the most generous space among Renault Master models sold domestically.
The interior of the Master applies a refined design comparable to passenger cars. Key parts such as the dashboard, steering wheel, and gear lever have been improved to a smaller size in a typical passenger car style, making driving more convenient.
Various convenience features are included, such as rear parking sensors and cameras, auto headlights and wipers, SK T-map navigation, lane departure warning system, and auto start and stop.
The exterior of the Master features Renault Group’s identity with C-shaped daytime running lights, along with newly designed headlights, bonnet, bumper, and radiator grille. Thanks to this, it exudes a more refined, neat, and sturdy atmosphere.
Despite various safety features, convenient boarding and alighting, and ample cargo space, it offers a reasonable price. The prices are ▲Master Van S 29.99 million KRW ▲Master Van L 31.99 million KRW ▲Master Bus 13-seater 37.29 million KRW ▲Master Bus 15-seater 46.99 million KRW.
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