The Renault Duster will get visual updates from the Adventure edition made standard on the facelifted version, while the automatic variant will be available only in 2WD mode.
So the Hyundai Creta is here with waiting periods extending to six months on certain variants, much to the discomfort of the Renault Duster. In addition, the Maruti S-Cross will be launched on 5th August and having gauged initial positive reviews and with Maruti’s strong backup at its side, the Duster does not emerge as the same potent proposition in the market as before. The French automaker seems to be feeling the heat now in the segment once dominated by its best selling product and hence is working to launch a facelift and an automatic variant of the Duster later this year.
The Renault Duster facelift though won’t be in-line with the European spec version and instead will get subtle upgrades for a fresher appeal. The automaker is most likely to use several features from the previously launched Adventure limited edition that introduced carbon finished wheels, smoked headlamps and black cladding around the fog lights on the compact SUV. Changes inside the cabin can be expected to be minimal. The automatic variant though will be the major highlight as it will primarily rival the Hyundai Creta.
Renault will introduce a new 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission called the Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) on the Duster that is offered on several of the company’s European small cars as well as the Russia spec Dacia Duster. The automatic transmission will come paired to a 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine producing 110 PS of power and 245 Nm of torque, but will be available only in 2WD mode. The possibility of a 4WD automatic version at a later stage cannot be ruled out. While details aren’t clear as yet, the new Duster is expected to hit the showrooms during the October-November period this year, after the highly anticipated Kwid small car goes on sale.
Source – MotoringWorld.net
