French automaker Renault has officially introduced the third-generation Duster SUV in select international markets. Renault India has also confirmed that the new Duster will be launched in our market. While the European-spec model will be sold under DACIA nameplate, the India-spec and Brazilian-spec models will go on sale under the Renault nameplate. The new Renault Duster comes with a new design and an all-new interior along with new powertrain options.
In this article, we talk about the top 5 things we know about the new-gen Duster lifestyle SUV.
New Platform
The new Renault Duster will be based on the Renault-Nissan Alliance's CMF-B modular platform, which underpins multiple global products including the Sandero and the Jogger. In fact, Nissan will also have its own version of the SUV based on the same CMF-B modular architecture. This architecture is flexible enough to accommodate different body styles and engine options including petrol, strong hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
New Renault Duster - Design & Interior
The new Duster comes with an all-new design, which is inspired from the 7-seater Bigster concept. In terms of styling, the new Renault Duster comes with a signature Renault grille and Y-shaped LED DRLs in the headlight. The flattened bull-bar-type lower bumper accommodates large air intake and circular fog light units. There is a prominent skid plate that gives it a rugged look. At the back, the new Duster gets Y-shaped LED tail-lights, a cleaner tailgate design and roof integrated spoiler. Other design highlights include squared-off wheel arches, prominent roof rails, and blacked out body cladding.
The rear profile now has Y-shaped LED tail-lights, tapering rear quarter glass, roof integrated spoiler and a much cleaner tailgate design. The SUV has blacked out pillars, rear door handles on the C-pillar, large squared-off wheel arches, prominent roof rails, and blacked out body cladding. Dimensionally, the new Duster is 4.34 meters long, 1.81 meters wide and 1.66 meters tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,657mm. The SUV is claimed to offer a space of up to 472-litres, which is an increase of 6% compared to the 2nd generation Duster.
The new Duster is claimed to offer more legroom, headroom and shoulder space in both front and rear occupants. The SUV has an all-new dashboard layout, which is dominated by a large freestanding touchscreen infotainment unit & a digital instrument console. The entry-level variants are most likely to feature a semi-digital driver's display. It will have a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and air con vent grille with a Y-shaped design.
Key Features
In terms of features, the new Duster gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a 7-inch digital instrument console, cruise control/speed limiter, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic AC, electric parking brake, wireless smartphone charger and a 6-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system. The SUV is also likely to come with an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist and driver attention alert.
New Renault Duster Specs - Turbo Petrol Engines
It was speculated that the new Duster will come with hybrid powertrains similar to the global-spec model. However, new media reports reveal that the new mid-sized SUV will come with turbo petrol engines. It is likely to get two turbo petrol engines - a 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo and a 1.3L 4-cylinder turbo unit. The 1.0L engine is the same unit that powers the Magnite and the Kiger, while the 156hp, turbo engine is the same unit that powers the previous-gen Duster & Kicks.
Launch, Competition, Price
Renault has confirmed that the new-gen Duster SUV will be launched sometime in 2025, most probably by mid-next year. The new model will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Maruti Grand Vitara, VW Taigun and Skoda Kushaq. The SUV is expected to be priced somewhere between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 18 lakh.
