News

The updated Renault Magnum is due to be unveiled at the CV show in April, but Brian Weatherley gets a first look - and likes what he sees. Commercial Motor has gained a sneak preview of the latest Renault Magnum, which makes its official debut at the CV Show at the NEC in April. The long-serving French flagship tractor's cab has grown upwards by 20cm, so there is now 2m headroom throughout the truck as you walk around the cabin-and not just under  the roof vent. The extra headroom inside is certainly noticeable.

However, the biggest changes are undoubtedly to the Magnum's already impressive storage space. A new rear overhead 'aircraft locker' adds 95 litres of storage space while the revised full-width front overhead locker is positively voluminous, providing up to 260 litres of space and with a large centre locker big enough for a microwave or TV.

But all the previous model's strengths are retained, including the rotating passenger seat (copied on the soon-to-be-launched new Volvo FH), built-in wardrobe and optional 'Multipass' cab layout where the bottom bunk can be converted into table and chairs. The bottom bed's sprung mattress also has more support under major pressure points, including elbows, shoulder and hips, when sleeping. Minor interior changes mean the dirt will not show as much as before.

The biggest surprise, however,  is the new model's build quality, which is on a par with the current Volvo FH's. Examples of the attention to detail in the Magnum include backing mouldings to the overhead locker lids to prevent them flexing and rattling.