India-bound next-gen Renault Duster: What it’ll look like

If you thought that the Renault Duster was no longer relevant in India, think again, because Renault is already working on bringing the next-generation Duster to the country. Renault is secretly developing an all-new Duster based on a completely new platform for the Indian market. With this move, the Renault Duster is making a comeback in the midsize SUV segment, which it once pioneered and dominated until the Hyundai Creta took over.

The previous-generation Renault Duster was based on the B0 platform and had a slightly cost-effective appeal. However, the new-generation Duster will be based on the lower-spec version of Renault-Nissan’s CMF-B platform. It is expected to be called the CMF-B LS, and this new platform will have India-specific changes, just like Volkswagen’s India-specific MQB-A0-IN platform, which is based on the brand’s global MQB platform.

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Several digital renderings of the new-generation Renault Duster have surfaced on the internet and here is a version by Kolesa, giving an idea of the drastic change in the design of the Duster for India. The India-specific Renault Duster will have new sharp-looking design cues from the Dacia Duster available overseas, which has received Y-themed elements for the front grille, headlamps, and tail lamps.

Unlike before, the new Renault Duster will have all-LED headlamps and tail lamps, at least in the top-spec variants. However, the Duster will continue to have an upright and muscular stance for its design, which made it the most SUV-like in its category. This means that the new Duster will have slightly flared wheel arches, a high ground clearance (possibly the best in its segment), and an upright bonnet.

Will be powered by petrol engines

Renault has already confirmed that it will not invest in diesel powertrains for the Indian car market anymore. It means that the new-generation Duster will come only with petrol powertrains for India. There is speculation that the new Duster will arrive with a petrol-hybrid powertrain, which will make it a direct competitor to the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and the soon-to-be-launched petrol-hybrid midsize SUV from Honda. There’s also a slight possibility that Renault might offer an all-wheel drive variant for the new-generation Duster, much like how it did in the previous-generation model.

The new-generation Renault Duster is still some time away, with its India launch scheduled for early 2025. However, this time around, the Duster will be offered as a more premium and feature-rich SUV, while retaining its rugged and fun-to-drive characteristics.

Launched back in 2012

In July 2012, Renault introduced the Duster in India, which quickly gained popularity due to its well-tuned ride quality and driving dynamics, spacious cabin, and fuel-efficient yet powerful diesel engine choices. During its debut, the Duster was available with three engine options – a 1.6-liter petrol engine generating 106 PS, a 1.5-liter diesel engine producing 85 PS, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine that generated 110 PS. All three powertrain options were equipped with a standard manual gearbox.

In 2014, Renault Duster achieved a sales milestone of 1 lakh units. In the same year, it also received an AWD variant, making it the most affordable monocoque SUV to offer this feature. To keep it updated, Renault continued to introduce limited-edition versions of the Duster. However, with the arrival of the Hyundai Creta, which was a more refined and city-oriented SUV, the popularity of the Renault Duster began to decline.

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