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The legendary Renault Magnum from Renault Trucks
Jul. 11 2023
1979 - 2011
As soon as it was born, the Renault Magnum was destined to mark its age with its stamp. Everyone remembers the impact of its revolutionary concept at its launch in 1990. A totally flat cab floor, headroom of 1.87 m - now over 2 m - unequalled spaciousness, total freedom to move around on board, and more. The Renault Magnum cab’s characteristics made it one of the most comfortable trucks on the market.
Rapidly asserting itself as the benchmark in its category, the following year it was voted "Truck of the Year".
Ever since, the Renault Magnum had been constantly improved until 2013 when the very last models were produced.
First thoughts - 1979
In 1979, Renault Trucks began working on a vehicle which would ultimately be produced as the AE. True to the company's values of innovation, the idea was to establish a new vision of trucks on the market as well as a new approach that embraced the needs of drivers and hauliers.
Launch of the AE - 1990
It was in 1990 that the AE, a revolutionary truck, was presented to the public for the first time.
First of all revolutionary for its mechanics, with disc brakes in the front. But it was particularly revolutionary for its cab designed by Marcello Gandini. By daring to make the cab totally independent from the engine, the vehicle's designers freed up more room for the driver. Raised and mounted on a flat floor, its cab definitively shaped the outline of the AE and above all placed the driver in a dominant position. It maintained its incomparable level of comfort and safety which was constantly improved.
​​​​​​Magnum voted Truck of the Year - 1991
Magnum was voted truck of the year in 1991
This crown confirms the record-breaking success this revolutionary truck enjoyed among drivers, but also with haulier customers setting out to conquer the world's roads with a new level of comfort.
1992
In 1992, AE was dropped and the range became known as the Magnum.
Since 1990, the Magnum badge on the doors of the AE announced the standard of equipment featured in the cab.
Renault Magnum Integral - 1997
Magnum Integral the long-distance truck
In 1996, it was fitted with the Mack E-7 engine and the prestigious V8 developing from 500 to 560 hp from the famous American bulldog brand, which was then a Renault subsidiary. The long distance truck was then called the "Magnum Integral" because of the significant improvements made to the driveline and then the new layout of the cab, which in the end led to an "integral" upgrade of the vehicle, making it more than ever before "a truck to live with".
The 3rd generation is born - 2001
Some significant changes were made to the Renault Magnum.
With increased engine power, each exterior and interior part redesigned individually, the truck then asserted its superior character and invented the concept of cab modularity.
​​​​​​A new driveline - 2005
Renault Magnum boasted a 12 L engine (DXi 12) developing 440 or 480 hp and was combined with new gearboxes:
The manual ZF 16 speed gearbox or the robotised Optidriver II speed gearbox as well as the Optibrake engine brake system.
New DXi 13 engine - 2006
Driven by the Euro IV and Euro V standards, the Renault Magnum adopted the new DXi 13 engine developing 500 hp and was combined with a new robotised gearbox called Optidriver+. Apart from increasing the displacement, Renault Trucks choosed SCR technology as a depollution solution.
Magnum Vega, the four-star special edition - 2007
This limited-edition version owed its name to a star and its fame to its four-star comfort!
Its luxurious finish had been perfected down to the smallest detail, making this a truly "royal" truck. Its upscale cab had been entirely redesigned to improve on-board comfort, while its exterior design was a statement of the model's pride.
A new dimension for Renault Magnum - 2008
2008 proved Magnum's amazing ability to always reinvent itself.
The cab was once again redesigned with new fittings, but most important of all, the headroom was then extended to over 2 m! Furthermore, storage space was increased and made more functional.
​​​​​​Renault Magnum adopts Optiroll - 2011
Linked to the speed regulator, Optiroll automatically triggers the "controlled freewheel" function on the Optidriver+ gearbox when driving conditions are favourable for saving fuel.