Nobody would have thought in India that after having such a disastrous experience with Logan, Renault would ever be able to establish itself in our Indian car market. Renault changed strategies and did a whole lot of study before re-entering our market knowing that it might be their last chance to succeed. This time things worked and worked brilliantly for Renault and their fortune suddenly changed in India with the launch of their compact SUV, Duster. The term ‘Compact SUV’ was never much used in our market but ever since Duster has arrived, this has become one of the most popular segments of cars in India. Every car manufacturer is now eyeing for this segment including Renault’s alliance in India, Nissan.
Renault has used two different engines in Duster; one each of petrol and diesel. The diesel engine is available in two states targeting different segment of buyers. The petrol engine of Duster is a 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder engine which generates a maximum power of 106 bhp at 5850rpm with a torque output of 145 Nm at 3750rpm.
The second unit is its popular 1.5L, 4-cylinder, DOHC engine which produces 85 bhp of power at 3750rpm with a maximum torque output of 200NM coming at 1900rpm resulting into good fuel economy. This engine shares its five speed manual gearbox with the petrol engine.
The second state of this engine produces a bit more power and torques which results in better performance while driving on highways. It generates a peak power of 110bhp at 3900rpm while it has a torque output of 248 Nm that comes a bit late at 2300rpm. This engine is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox.
The dual tone interiors with spacious cabin add to the premium appeal of the car. To make you feel that you have invested in the right car, Renault has added many features in this car like keyless entry, power windows, power steering, and a.c with heater, electric back door release, 2-DIN music system, Bluetooth and steering mounted audio and phone controls. The top model also comes up with premium features like rear AC vent, parking sensors, lumbar support for driver’s seat height, Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist.
The Renault Duster handles like any other sedan in city traffic giving it an extra advantage over other heavy built SUV’s. Moreover, you get more space at the price of any premium mid size sedan making it a more practical deal. The car is on a great run ever since its launch and despite the entry of new rivals in the market, the car is still quite dominant in its segment. The Renault Duster reviews also prove that it’s the best compact SUV ever launched in India.
The Renault Duster price bracket also contributes to its great value for money factor. The pricing for its petrol version starts at INR 7.99 lakhs while the top model of its diesel version will cost you around INR 12.18 lakhs in Delhi (ex-showroom).