New-gen Renault Duster breaks cover, Indian debut expected in late 2024
Renault's sister brand Dacia has finally unveiled the new Dacia Duster for the European market. The Duster has proven to be a success, with over 2.2 million cars produced over its 13-year run. The new-generation French SUV has a fully redesigned appearance and interior and new engine options. It is scheduled to arrive in India in late 2024.
The third-generation Duster is built on the CMF-B platform, which underlies several Dacia, Renault, and Nissan cars. Though the new Duster retains its boxy dimensions and SUV look, it is inspired by the Bigster concept.
Its front end has much sharper headlamps than the previous model, and it has Dacia's new emblem in the front and back. The Renault-branded Duster SUV, on the other hand, will have some cosmetic variations when it debuts next year.
In terms of styling, it has squared wheel arches and dual-tone alloy wheels. The rear door handles of the new Duster are mounted on the C-pillar. The third-generation Duster's body side cladding and roof rails contribute to its toughness. It has Y-shaped LED taillamps and a skid plate on the bumper at the back for those days when you want to go off-road.
New-gen Renault Duster: Powertrains and Tech
The new Duster has more efficient engines than before, with a Hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors as the main powerplant. One e-motor produces 49PS, while the other acts as a starter/generator.
A 1.2-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid engine will also be available, mated to a six-speed manual transmission in all models. Dacia will continue to sell the Duster with a 'bi-fuel' option that combines petrol and LPG engines.
The new Duster remains capable off-road by providing 217 mm of ground clearance for the AWD variant. It has an approach angle of 31 degrees and a departure angle of 36 degrees. It even boasts a downhill speed control system that adjusts speed automatically to ensure a smooth descent. It operates between 0 and 30 kmph and may be used even when in reverse. There are five driving modes available as well: Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, Off-Road, and Eco.
New-gen Renault Duster: Interior and FeaturesThe inside of the new Duster is also being updated. The bulky dashboard is dominated by a 10.1-inch floating infotainment system. The overall design is clean, with well-defined edges all around. There are real HVAC control buttons beneath the central AC vents, as well as a plethora of storage areas all around. The dedicated phone holder between the touchscreen and digital driver's display is a notable addition.
A fully digital instrument cluster, Type C charging connections, automated climate control, and built-in navigation for the touchscreen system are among the features. It has numerous airbags, an electronic parking brake, electronic stability control (ESC), hill assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
When launched in India, the new Renault Duster will compete in the sector alongside the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, Honda Elevate, and Citroen C3 Aircross.
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