Renault launches Duster compact SUV in India

The Renault Duster is finally here. The mini SUV comes in both petrol and diesel versions. The two petrol variants are priced at Rs. 7.19 lakh and Rs 11.29 lakh. Diesel variant prices start at Rs. 7.99 lakh and go up to Rs. 11.29 lakh for the top-end diesel variant.

The Duster is available in 8 variants – two petrol and four diesel, with two option packs – a safety pack on the RxL variant and a leather package for the top-end RxZ Duster. Here are the prices, ex-showroom Delhi:

Petrol Variant Prices

Duster 1.6 RxE (petrol): Rs. 7.19 lakh
Duster 1.6 RxL (petrol): Rs. 8.19 lakh

Diesel Variant Prices

Duster 1.5 dCi RxE: Rs. 7.99 lakh
Duster 1.5 dCi RxL: Rs. 8.99 lakh
Duster 1.5 dCi RxL Option: Rs. 9.99 lakh
Duster 1.5 dCi RxL 110: Rs. 9.99 lakh
Duster 1.5 dCi RxZ: Rs. 10.99 lakh
Duster 1.5 dCi RxZ Option: 11.29 lakh

(Scroll down for variant specifications)

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Looks

Exteriors

The Duster is a muscular looking compact SUV based on the Renault Logan platform (now Mahindra Verito). It has 205 mm of ground clearance and 16-inch wheels which give it a macho stance. Ground clearance is more than the Mahindra Scorpio and equal to the Tata Safari.

It’s also quite a wide SUV, slightly wider than the Scorpio, but narrower than the Safari. However, it’s not too tall. It’s about the same height as a Maruti Wagon-R. It’s not too long and is just about a size bigger than the Skoda Yeti. The front looks attractive with traditional SUV lines and twin headlamps. The rear looks a little bland, although the chrome strip over the number plate does try to liven it up a bit. The top-end RxZ variant gets alloy wheels.

Interiors

The interiors of the Duster have been revamped for the Indian market. The top-end RxZ variants gets optional beige leather upholstery, while the lower variants get fabric seats. The door panels and dashboard are black. The position of the power window switches has been shifted to the doors for the Indian market, rather than in the center. The seats can comfortably hold five adults. The mid and top variant get height adjustable driver’s seats. The Duster has a reasonably spacious boot at 475 litres – as much or more than most mid-size sedans. 

Performance and mileage

The Renault Duster comes in three engine choices – one petrol and two diesel. The petrol engine comes on the entry-level Duster and mid-variant. The petrol Duster gets a 1,598 cc four-cylinder petrol that puts out 101 bhp of power at 5850 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 3750 rpm with a five-speed manual transmission. The petrol Duster has a claimed mileage of 13.24 kmpl.

The Duster diesel comes with two engines, both 1461 cc, but producing different power outputs. On the entry-level RxE and mid-variant RxL Duster, the engine produces 84 bhp of power at 3750 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 1,900 rpm. This is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The 84 bhp diesel Duster has a claimed mileage of 20.46 kmpl.

The top-end RxZ Duster and the RxL Duster diesel (option) comes with the same 1461 cc common-rail diesel engine, but with a bigger turbocharger and different injection system, producing 108 bhp of power at 3900 rpm and 248 Nm of torque at 2250 rpm, with a six-speed manual transmission. The 108 bhp diesel Duster has a claimed mileage of 19.01 kmpl.

Features

The Duster is reasonably well-loaded variant for variant. The base RxE variants in both petrol and diesel don’t get any safety features such as ABS or airbags. These are available as an option on the RxL variants and are standard on the RxZ variant as well as the RxL 110 variant. All variants get power windows and central locking, power steering, manual air-conditioning and rear-parcel tray. The RxZ variant gets additional rear air-conditioning. The RxL and RxZ variants have an integrated music system with USB/Aux and Bluetooth along with steering mounted audio controls. They also get electrically adjustable mirrors. (See below for detailed variants and specifications).

Variants and Specifications

The Duster is available in six variants and two option packs – a choice of 8 models in total:

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