RENAULT PREMIUM 380 Trucks For Sale

The Renault Premium is coming of age. Launched in 1996, it lasted until its 19th birthday in 2014, before being replaced by Renault's new Euro 6 range.  Now's a good time to have a look back at the life of the truck. It has won lots of friends over the years due to its relatively low purchase price and good economics.

Renault Premium - Versatility is Key

It's a versatile truck too, starting off as an 18 tonne rigid and going all the way through to a full-spec long-distance cruiser Renault tractor unit with Global cab. A combination of high seating position and large glass area with thin pillars gives excellent visibility and the air-suspended seats also make for a comfortable ride.

The dash seems well laid out and the wraparound shape adds to the ergonomic feel of the truck. On later Premiums you can find all sorts of creature comforts, including a Bluetooth MP3 radio, optional TV, fridge and deluxe sun visors. Build quality is adequate but plastics tend to look and feel cheaper than more refined makes. Overall, however, it is solid and up to the job.

Premium Driveline

The engine range is good and the DXi11 is a particular standout, offering 450bhp and a whopping 2140Nm of torque in a flat curve between 1,100 and 1,300 rpm. These engines have antifreeze protection, electronic idling control and an electronic air braking system.

They also feature an automatic engine cut-out system that shuts the engine down after five minutes of idling. The Optidriver+ auto gearbox is an excellent unit with 12 forward and three reverse gears. It can safely be left to its own devices to make the right cog selection almost all of the time or can be controlled manually via stalks mounted on the steering column. The automatic system tends to try to minimise gear changes and will only step in when necessary and sometimes the driver may feel inclined to drop a cog or two to maintain progress.

The chassis of the Renault Premium is uncluttered and the suspension setup is the familiar steel to front and air to rear configuration. This is combined with the use of telescopic dampers and stabiliser bar. The Renault Premium also has a remote control system for the raising or lowering of the rear air suspension according to the load being hauled. On the whole, the Renault Premium's wide chassis and suspension setup make for excellent road-holding and stability. Later models with air-suspended cabs also enjoy great comfort levels and the steering is tight enough to negotiate challenging manoeuvres.

If the Renault Premium Tractor Unit has a pretty basic build quality in the cabin, then this is more than made up for by a choice of excellent engines, a first-class transmission and admirable handling. The low acquisition cost and cheap parts and maintenance make it a good ongoing bet too. A second-hand Renault Premium could indeed be an excellent and cost-effective choice of wagon.

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Typical Used Renault Premium for Sale - Here a 270 fridge truck