Priced between Rs 7.19 lakh and Rs 11.29 lakh, the launch of the Duster represents an important landmark not just for Renault's otherwise limping sales conundrum in India, but also a very discoloured entry level SUV space at large
Just a few days prior to the official launch of the Renault Duster, inquiries starting pouring in about how competitively this adventurous looking French soft roader would be priced, and as common a query as this may be for vehicles on the brink of arrival here in India, such unflinching curiosity behind a crossover developed by a Romanian subsidiary of a French car maker on a Japanese automobile platform was indeed surprising. And then it suddenly hit me.
It’s not just the vehicle, but the segment it looks to crowd that is raising many questions, and rightfully so. For too long have the Mahindra Scorpios and the Tata Safaris ruled the roost and it was only time before the India’s entry level SUV space germinated some foreign interest. Well it did, and along came a Duster!
Priced between Rs 7.19 lakh and Rs 11.29 lakh (for variant-wise pricing scroll right to the bottom of the page), the Renault badged Dacia Duster as it called internationally has been launched as a 4x2 model, and according to the French car maker there are no immediate plans of launching a 4x4 spec model in India.
The Duster is available in eight variants -- two petrol, four diesel and two optional diesel packs. Powering the top-end diesel RxZ variant is a 1.5 litre DCi engine that churns out a healthy 110PS of power and 248Nm of torque. The Duster is also offered with a 1.6-litre petrol engine that puts out 104PS and 145Nm torque as well as a detuned 1.5 DCi diesel pot that churns out 85PS and 200Nm of torque. Only the top end diesel variant gets a 6-speed gearbox. All others feature a 5-speed tranny and no automatic option.
Based on the Logan platform, the Duster is a monocoque construction and from what we experienced on a recent quick spin (Read : Renault Duster First Drive) at Renault’s Chennai plant this works pretty much in favour of the compact SUV when it comes to ride quality and handling.
Despite being slightly smaller in size than its competition, the interiors are well appointed and rather comfortable. Driver and passenger comfort features include power windows, power steering, electrically adjustable ORVMs, an audio control stalk (mounted right behind the steering on the right) and a powerful HVAC unit for your desired temperature. The 470 litre boot is a delight and if you need more space, the rear bench does a 60:40 split for increased versatility.
The petrol Duster delivers a claimed mileage of 13.24kmpl according to ARAI test figures. The 85PS diesel model is touted to return as much as 20.45kmpl while the 110PS diesel avatar delivers 19.01kmpl.
With the pricing right and proportions tight, the Duster will most certainly usher in new interest in this otherwise lackluster segment and if painted and postured appropriately could very well turn out to be Renault’s ‘phoenix’ for India.
Renault Duster Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi):
Petrol engine (104PS)
RxE: Rs 7.19 lakh
RxL: Rs 8.19 lakh
Diesel engine (85PS)
RxE: Rs 7.99 lakh
RxL: Rs 8.99 lakh
RxL Diesel Optional Pack : Rs 9.99 lakh
Diesel engine (110PS)
RxL: Rs 9.99 lakh
RxZ: Rs 10.99 lakh
RxZ Diesel Optional Pack: Rs 11.29 lakh
