Renault has presented its version of the Dacia Duster which is expected to be launched next year in India.
Without a doubt, the Renault Duster is a car which changed the fortunes for the French carmaker in India. It has been more than five years since the Duster was launched and the compact SUV has started facing the heat from modern competitors. Renault’s Romanian sub-brand Dacia unveiled the next generation Duster at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show and its parent company’s iteration, to be called the 2018 Renault Duster in the Indian market, was awaited.
Renault has ended that wait by taking covers off the India-bound next-generation Renault Duster. From the outside, the Duster is a look-alike of Dacia’s version save for the new grill, 5-spoke alloy wheels and the ‘Renault’ badging of course. As compared to the current Duster, the new Duster looks more muscular and premium due to the presence of more prominent skid plates and LED DRLs. Tail lamps adopt the signature four-square design and accentuate the sheer width of the car.
The recently-unveiled Dacia Duster flaunts a modern yet minimalist cabin with redesigned dashboard and added equipment. In Renault’s version of the Duster, there have been two changes to the interiors. Firstly, Dacia’s four-spoke steering wheel has been replaced by a chunky three-spoke unit and next, the circular AC vents have made way for sleeker rectangular pieces. Angled towards the driver, the centre console continues to flaunt a MediaNAV touchscreen infotainment unit.
In other markets, the Duster comes with a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine. Petrol engine lineup consists of a 1.6-litre motor that puts out 115 HP of power and a 1.2-litre turbocharged unit which develops 125 HP of power. The sole 1.5-litre oil-burner is available in two states of tune – 90 HP and 110 HP. In India, Renault is expected to continue with the same 1.5-litre 106 HP petrol motor and 1.5-litre diesel engine which can be had in 85 HP or 110 HP tune.
A 5-speed manual transmission is available across the range except in the 110 HP variants which get a 6-speed gearbox and an optional AMT unit. Standing true to its promise of launching one new product every year, Renault India has launched the Captur for 2017. The next year will mark the entry of a 7-seater MPV too. Priced from Rs. 8.42 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai), the current Duster goes against the likes of Maruti S-Cross, Nissan Terrano and Hyundai Creta.
2018 Renault Duster
– Renault showcases its version of next-generation Dacia Duster
– Gets revised styling, LED DRLs and modern dashboard layout
– Engine options likely to remain the same
– India launch expected next year
