RENAULT'S new Kangoo and Master vans were among the stars of the Commercial Vehicle Show 1998, carrying with them Renault's hopes of retaking a large chunk of the van market in Britain and abroad. The manufacturer is hoping that the models - which go on sale in the UK from March 16 - will help it regain lost market share through a combination of high spec and performance.

Bosses say that the first fleet orders for both models have already come in, with the biggest so far for Kangoo coming from British Gas, which has ordered 100 of the models as an evaluation fleet. Renault LCV brand manager Simon Herbert said Renault UK had pushed hard for the simultaneous UK launch of the models - the first fruits of a van programme in collaboration with General Motors Europe.

Instead of introducing a low-spec entry-level Kangoo, Renault has decided to keep the existing Extra in the range - dropping the basic price to £6,585, excluding VAT, from £7,195 from March 16. The Clio Van meanwhile gets power steering as standard for its £7,135 basic price.

A Kangoo car has already been launched in Europe and, although there are no plans to follow suit in the UK, converters are keen to get their hands on the vehicle for its potential in areas such as disabled transport, as well as refrigeration.