Renault All-New Arkana

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. Also Read: New Maruti Suzuki Dzire Launch by Festive Season

Renault India a few days back upgraded its current product lineup. The KWID, Triber, and Kiger have now been enriched with new variants, advanced features, and new value propositions. Notably, the KWID stands out as the most affordable automatic car in India, thanks to the introduction of the New RXL(O) Easy-R AMT variant. Let us take a closer look at what new features have been added to the 2024 Renault KWID.  Most Affordable Hatchback to Offer Touchscreen Media NAV At present, the KWID offers four distinct trims: RXE, RXL(O), RXT, and Climber. The latest addition, RXL(O) AMT, sets itself apart by incorporating an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, making the entry-level model the most budget-friendly hatchback featuring this touchscreen media NAV In the market. Furthermore, the French automaker has expanded the dual-tone colour palette to a total of 5 choices for the hatchback. While two of these options were previously available, the Climber version now introduces three new captivating choices - Moonlight Silver with Mystery Black roof, Fiery Red with Mystery Black roof, and Zanskar Blue with Mystery Black roof. It is important to note that, aside from these updates, the exterior of the hatchback remains unchanged. 14+ Safety Features Across all its Variants Renault KWID stands out by offering up to 14 safety features as standard across all its variants. Among the newly added safety enhancements are rear-seat belt reminder, Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and more. 2024 Renault KWID: New Value Propositions Apart from new variants and feature additions, the manufacturer has introduced new value propositions, making it more affordable for every Renault lover. The price for the 2024 Renault KWID now starts at Rs 4.69 lakh going all the way up to Rs 6.12 lakh (ex-showroom). Here is the detailed price breakup for each variant: Manual Variants Prices (Ex-Showroom) RXE - Rs 4.69 lakh RXE(O) - Rs 4.99 lakh RXT - Rs 5.50 lakh Climber - Rs 5.87 lakh Automatic Variants Prices (Ex-Showroom) RXL(O) - Rs 5.44 lakh RXT - Rs 5.95 lakh Climber - Rs 6.12 lakh Same Powertrain Option There are no changes to the powertrain option for the upgraded KWID. It uses the same 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine as before that delivers a maximum power output of 68 bhp with 91 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options here include a 5-speed manual and an automatic gearbox. Read Also: Renault Reveals Their Plans for India

Renault-Nissan alliance is planning to develop a Creta-sized EV SUV for the Indian market. This upcoming electric SUV will use a CMF-B EV platform. However, the plan is to tweak the platform from the regular CMF-B architecture to support the upcoming EV’s powertrain. Renault-Nissan Upcoming EV to be Priced from Rs 15 Lakh According to the media reports, the company aims to enter a C-segment EV above 4m in length. In fact, the alliance has already started working on the home-grown cell and battery-making process to ensure accessible pricing. They have plans to set the pricing somewhere around Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for the upcoming EV. For this reason, Renault-Nissan is mainly focused on local development by the R&D centre (Renault Nissan Technology Business Centre India). Upon launch, the upcoming Renault-Nissan EV SUV will compete with the Maruti Suzuki eVX and the Hyundai Creta EV, slated to launch in 2025. Will It Be Available Globally? The upcoming EVs will probably have a minimum localisation of about 70 percent. In addition, the alliance also has an export plan as the volumes of EVs in India are quite low. So we can expect the model to be globally available. Also Read: Tata Safari EV Spied

Recent media reports claim that Renault is planning to bring a new, sportier version of the Kiger compact SUV to the Indian market. This variant will be based on the top-spec ‘RXZ’ trim and is likely to receive sporty design elements. Renault Kiger Sporty Variant: Top Changes Sources suggest that the new variant of Kiger will get updated front and rear bumpers. Along with this, eye-catching brake callipers in bright colours and distinctive accents will also be provided. Chances are that the brand could also use its updated logo for the new variant. Talking about its interior, the sporty Kiger is expected to provide a black interior scheme with striking highlights. Since this variant will be based on its high-end RXZ model, it is likely to offer the same set of features. Powertrain Details As for the engine options, the upcoming variant will be limited to the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that also powers the existing Kiger. This engine can produce a maximum power of 99 bhp and a peak torque of 160 Nm. Transmission options are yet to be confirmed; however, it is likely to be available with a 5-speed manual and a CVT option. Expected Price & Competition The price for this sporty variant is expected to be higher than the top-spec RXZ Turbo variant which hovers in the range of Rs 10.23 lakh to Rs 11.23 lakh (ex-showroom). Upon launch, it will compete against the Kia Sonet X Line, Hyundai Venue N Line, and others in the league. Also Read: New Ford Everest Is Heading To India In 2025 - Fortuner Rival