Renault Boreal: Global version of Dacia Bigster revealed
With Dacia largely confined to Europe, Renault has rebadged many models from its Romanian marque for sale in other markets, primarily Africa and Latin America.
Typically this involves swapping Dacia badges for Renault ones, and maybe tweaking the grille.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The Boreal goes a step further by having completely distinct exterior panels, except for maybe the roof. Up front, the simple lines of the Bigster have given way for a split headlight treatment integrated into an egg-crate grille.
Along the sides the Boreal has smoother surfacing, and a vast section of chiselled faux brushed metal trim on the D-pillar.
At the back, the Boreal ditches the Bigster's awkward arrowhead tail-lights for a set that wouldn't look out of place on a Skoda. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Despite these changes, the Boreal is clearly very closely related to Bigster with the two sharing the same overall shape, as well as door apertures, and both feature hidden rear door handles.
The Boreal is 4556mm long, 1841mm wide, 1650mm tall, and rides on a 2702mm wheelbase. Boot space with a rear seats up is rated at 522 litres.
The differences continue on the inside, with the Bigster having its own unique dashboard design where the 10.0-inch instrumentation screen flows into the 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert
While the Bigster's interior makes a virtue of its assortment of hard, but durable plastic, the Boreal's dash has soft-touch material. The Renault also features more realistic-looking faux metal elements, leather-look seats with contrast stitching, and more generously padded armrests, at least up front.
The Boreal will be made in Brazil for Latin American markets from late 2025, and in Turkey for the Middle East and Mediterranean basin some time in 2026.
While the Bigster is available with a choice of mild-hybrid and hybrid drivetrains, as well as the option of all-wheel drive and a manual transmission, the Boreal will be available exclusively with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine matched with six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
For Boreals made in Turkey the engine develops 103kW and 240Nm, while Brazil-made models are available in petrol or FlexFuel derivatives, the latter of which can use almost any mixture of petrol and alcohol. Brazilian petrol models make 116kW, and FlexFuel variants develop 122kW and 270Nm.
Available features include dual-zone climate control, a refrigerated centre bin, and a Harmon Kardon sound system. The infotainment system runs on the Android Automotive operating system with built-in Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant voice recognition, and has access to the Google Play app store.
Safety items include blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking, safe exit monitoring, and drowsiness alerts. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The Dacia Bigster (above) was launched at the end of 2024. Closely related to the third-generation Dacia Duster, both cars use the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-B LS platform.
While the Duster has been sold as a Renault in many global markets since the first generation, it has only just landed in Australia
No word yet on whether the Boreal will be sold in Australia, but so far it doesn't look like the car will be produced in right-hand drive.
MORE: Everything Renault
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MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says the 'scaremongering' that took place ahead of the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has failed. The NVES was introduced on January 1, 2025, and limits the overall carbon-dioxide emissions across a brand's lineup – with automakers facing financial penalties if they exceed the targets. Penalties came into effect on July 1, 2025, and fleet emissions targets will get more stringent every year until 2029. When asked if perhaps NVES could have been pitched better by the politicians who were publicly in favour of it, Mr Maynard was positive. "It turns out it didn't kill the weekend," the Polestar boss said. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard "We got it through, so I don't think I'm a good enough politician to say that they went about the wrong way. "I do think that there was perhaps some scaremongering whipped up from some of its opponents that did land a few blows, and some of the benefits of a market that responds to NVES legislation – like cleaner air and a move towards vehicles that that are cheaper to run – were perhaps lost in some of that messaging." Former opposition leader Peter Dutton had pledged to scrap the NVES – which he called a 'ute tax' – if the Coalition won last November's federal election (which it didn't). "We will abolish Labor's tax on family cars and utes. Saving you thousands when buying a new car," Mr Dutton posted on social media. "Labor's new car and ute tax will hit families and small businesses with thousands in extra costs." The Australian Government proposed three iterations of NVES – A, B and C options – in February 2024 for feedback from industry bodies and automakers. Of the three, the "fast but flexible" B proposal was the government's preferred option. Though it wasn't the most stringent of the three, the B proposal was criticised by some Australian car companies, with Toyota – the best-selling brand here since 2008 – saying it would force new vehicle prices up and hurt 'middle Australia'. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, said the company didn't have the model range available globally on hand to replace popular vehicles like the LandCruiser. Mr Hanley also said sales of smaller, lower-emission Toyota models would not be enough to offset fines from sales of larger vehicles. Similar objections were voiced by other car companies, such as Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott who also appealed to 'middle Australia'. "We do want a standard, we're not against a standard," Mr Westcott told CarExpert. "What we want is a standard that is practical and achievable against the pace of technology, aligned with what consumers want and what consumers can afford." The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. 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MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says the 'scaremongering' that took place ahead of the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has failed. The NVES was introduced on January 1, 2025, and limits the overall carbon-dioxide emissions across a brand's lineup – with automakers facing financial penalties if they exceed the targets. Penalties came into effect on July 1, 2025, and fleet emissions targets will get more stringent every year until 2029. When asked if perhaps NVES could have been pitched better by the politicians who were publicly in favour of it, Mr Maynard was positive. "It turns out it didn't kill the weekend," the Polestar boss said. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard "We got it through, so I don't think I'm a good enough politician to say that they went about the wrong way. "I do think that there was perhaps some scaremongering whipped up from some of its opponents that did land a few blows, and some of the benefits of a market that responds to NVES legislation – like cleaner air and a move towards vehicles that that are cheaper to run – were perhaps lost in some of that messaging." Former opposition leader Peter Dutton had pledged to scrap the NVES – which he called a 'ute tax' – if the Coalition won last November's federal election (which it didn't). "We will abolish Labor's tax on family cars and utes. Saving you thousands when buying a new car," Mr Dutton posted on social media. "Labor's new car and ute tax will hit families and small businesses with thousands in extra costs." The Australian Government proposed three iterations of NVES – A, B and C options – in February 2024 for feedback from industry bodies and automakers. Of the three, the "fast but flexible" B proposal was the government's preferred option. Though it wasn't the most stringent of the three, the B proposal was criticised by some Australian car companies, with Toyota – the best-selling brand here since 2008 – saying it would force new vehicle prices up and hurt 'middle Australia'. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, said the company didn't have the model range available globally on hand to replace popular vehicles like the LandCruiser. Mr Hanley also said sales of smaller, lower-emission Toyota models would not be enough to offset fines from sales of larger vehicles. Similar objections were voiced by other car companies, such as Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott who also appealed to 'middle Australia'. "We do want a standard, we're not against a standard," Mr Westcott told CarExpert. "What we want is a standard that is practical and achievable against the pace of technology, aligned with what consumers want and what consumers can afford." The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. Mr Maynard recently said the brand is no closer to rejoining the FCAI, saying the industry body is less progressive than when Polestar left it in protest in March 2024. When asked by CarExpert if Polestar Australia could better effect change by being a member of the FCAI, Mr Maynard was blunt. "If I thought that the volume of vehicles that we sell – [Polestar] being a premium and relatively exclusive player – would give us a fair voice inside the FCAI, then perhaps that logic would run. "But I think it's still the case that the FCAI services those members that fund it, and I can understand why they would do that. They're a representative body of the manufacturers that sit inside it, and so no, I think I'd probably get sent out of the room." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from:
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2025 Renault Master price and specs
Renault's largest commercial van now has a smaller model lineup. The 2025 Renault Master range has been simplified to just medium- and long-wheelbase variants, with the previous Extra LWB option removed. Both MWB and LWB variants of the large delivery van are now offered exclusively in Pro trim, priced at $55,200 and $57,200 before on-road costs, respectively. Renault Australia is offering the MWB to ABN holders for $57,990 drive-away until September 30, 2025, and says it has "good supply" of the Master. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. There's only one powertrain on offer: a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed automated manual transmission. A manual transmission is no longer available. The Master isn't just Renault's biggest vehicle, it's also its biggest seller. To the end of June, Renault has delivered 1074 Master cargo vans in Australia this year, more than the mid-size Trafic van (516) and mid-size Koleos crossover SUV (424). The Master is currently outselling the Ford Transit (943), Peugeot Boxer (15) and Volkswagen Crafter (147), though it's outsold by the LDV Deliver 9 (1341) and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2026). Renault doesn't publish fuel economy or CO2 emissions figures for the Master. The Renault Master is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first. The first five services are capped at $599, with the exception of the four-year/120,000km service which costs $1259. Standard safety equipment includes: Standard equipment includes: Options include: The Master is available in the following exterior paint finishes: MORE: Explore the Renault Master showroom Content originally sourced from: Renault's largest commercial van now has a smaller model lineup. The 2025 Renault Master range has been simplified to just medium- and long-wheelbase variants, with the previous Extra LWB option removed. Both MWB and LWB variants of the large delivery van are now offered exclusively in Pro trim, priced at $55,200 and $57,200 before on-road costs, respectively. Renault Australia is offering the MWB to ABN holders for $57,990 drive-away until September 30, 2025, and says it has "good supply" of the Master. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. There's only one powertrain on offer: a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed automated manual transmission. A manual transmission is no longer available. The Master isn't just Renault's biggest vehicle, it's also its biggest seller. To the end of June, Renault has delivered 1074 Master cargo vans in Australia this year, more than the mid-size Trafic van (516) and mid-size Koleos crossover SUV (424). The Master is currently outselling the Ford Transit (943), Peugeot Boxer (15) and Volkswagen Crafter (147), though it's outsold by the LDV Deliver 9 (1341) and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2026). Renault doesn't publish fuel economy or CO2 emissions figures for the Master. The Renault Master is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first. The first five services are capped at $599, with the exception of the four-year/120,000km service which costs $1259. Standard safety equipment includes: Standard equipment includes: Options include: The Master is available in the following exterior paint finishes: MORE: Explore the Renault Master showroom Content originally sourced from: Renault's largest commercial van now has a smaller model lineup. The 2025 Renault Master range has been simplified to just medium- and long-wheelbase variants, with the previous Extra LWB option removed. Both MWB and LWB variants of the large delivery van are now offered exclusively in Pro trim, priced at $55,200 and $57,200 before on-road costs, respectively. Renault Australia is offering the MWB to ABN holders for $57,990 drive-away until September 30, 2025, and says it has "good supply" of the Master. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. There's only one powertrain on offer: a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed automated manual transmission. A manual transmission is no longer available. The Master isn't just Renault's biggest vehicle, it's also its biggest seller. To the end of June, Renault has delivered 1074 Master cargo vans in Australia this year, more than the mid-size Trafic van (516) and mid-size Koleos crossover SUV (424). The Master is currently outselling the Ford Transit (943), Peugeot Boxer (15) and Volkswagen Crafter (147), though it's outsold by the LDV Deliver 9 (1341) and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2026). Renault doesn't publish fuel economy or CO2 emissions figures for the Master. The Renault Master is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first. The first five services are capped at $599, with the exception of the four-year/120,000km service which costs $1259. Standard safety equipment includes: Standard equipment includes: Options include: The Master is available in the following exterior paint finishes: MORE: Explore the Renault Master showroom Content originally sourced from: Renault's largest commercial van now has a smaller model lineup. The 2025 Renault Master range has been simplified to just medium- and long-wheelbase variants, with the previous Extra LWB option removed. Both MWB and LWB variants of the large delivery van are now offered exclusively in Pro trim, priced at $55,200 and $57,200 before on-road costs, respectively. Renault Australia is offering the MWB to ABN holders for $57,990 drive-away until September 30, 2025, and says it has "good supply" of the Master. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. There's only one powertrain on offer: a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed automated manual transmission. A manual transmission is no longer available. The Master isn't just Renault's biggest vehicle, it's also its biggest seller. To the end of June, Renault has delivered 1074 Master cargo vans in Australia this year, more than the mid-size Trafic van (516) and mid-size Koleos crossover SUV (424). The Master is currently outselling the Ford Transit (943), Peugeot Boxer (15) and Volkswagen Crafter (147), though it's outsold by the LDV Deliver 9 (1341) and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2026). Renault doesn't publish fuel economy or CO2 emissions figures for the Master. The Renault Master is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first. The first five services are capped at $599, with the exception of the four-year/120,000km service which costs $1259. Standard safety equipment includes: Standard equipment includes: Options include: The Master is available in the following exterior paint finishes: MORE: Explore the Renault Master showroom Content originally sourced from:
