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Renault Duster's Return to India

Renault is gearing up to reintroduce the Duster in India, featuring an all-new generation that is anticipated to hit the market either later this year or in 2026. The company plans to offer both a 5-seater and a 7-seater variant, known as Bigster and Boreal in Europe. Recent spy images from Brazil have provided a first glimpse of the SUV's front design, albeit under heavy camouflage.

Design Features

The initial observations reveal a revamped front design, characterized by a continuous arrangement of the grille and headlights. A prominent Renault logo is centrally positioned within the grille, enhancing its visual appeal.

The Indian variant observed during testing in Bangalore appears to share similarities with its international counterpart. It features unique V-shaped tail lights and a distinctive roof-mounted spoiler that adds a sporty touch to its profile.

Tailgate and Overall Aesthetics

The tailgate showcases a more sculpted design, complemented by robust wheel arch cladding, a shark fin antenna, roof rails, and a rear washer and wiper. The windshield is raked, contributing to a sleek appearance. Many design elements seem to align with those of the European model.

Powertrain Options

Built on the CMF-B modular platform, which is shared with various models from Dacia, Renault, and Nissan, the new Duster is expected to offer three primary powertrain configurations:

A 1.6-litre strong-hybrid petrol engine, featuring two electric motors and a 1.2 kWh battery, producing a maximum output of 138 hp.

A 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system, generating a total of 128.2 hp.

A 1.0-litre petrol-LPG dual-fuel engine, delivering 98.6 hp, paired with a 6-speed transmission that drives all four wheels.

Feature Highlights

The upcoming Duster is set to include a wide array of features, such as a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone connectivity, over-the-air updates, and dual-zone climate control. In terms of safety, it will come equipped with six airbags, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control, and a 360-degree camera.

Additionally, the vehicle may offer advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The current Dacia Duster has achieved a 3-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, and it is anticipated that the Indian version could perform even better under local testing standards.

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