Renault is expected to bring the new Duster to India sometime by 2025

The third-generation Renault Duster (Dacia Duster) has just been revealed globally. It will be a key model for the carmaker as it will be a big step up for the nameplate in India since its second-gen version never came here. Since the SUV isn’t likely to head our way anytime before 2025, feast your eyes on its images below:

Exterior

The front of the new Duster appears to be an evolutionary upgrade rather than a revolutionary one at first glance. It features a slimmer grille with inserts, Y-shaped LED DRLs, and a big bumper housing a huge air dam and the fog lamps.

The SUV’s silhouette has stayed similar but with sharper details. Highlights on the new Duster’s profile include squared-off wheel arches, C-pillar-mounted rear door handles, and functional roof rails. A kink in the windowline towards the quarter glass panel is also noticeable.

The new 5-spoke dual-tone alloy wheels (ranging from 17- to 18-inches) are an evolution of the ones offered on the previous generation Duster (the one not sold in India).

The back of the new Duster is much more subdued, featuring Y-shaped LED taillights and a chunky bumper.

Interior

The third-gen Renault Duster has a completely fresh dashboard design with Y-shaped elements throughout the cabin. The instrument cluster and infotainment system are digital, but the carmaker has opted to provide physical buttons for climate control, a welcome decision.

The international-spec third-gen Duster comes with two cabin themes, with one featuring blue highlights for the upholstery, while the other top-spec variant offers a grey-black theme with bronze-like accents.

The rugged SUV lacks a rear center armrest, but it has three adjustable headrests and 3-point seatbelts for all passengers. It also has provisions for ISOFIX child seat mounts.

The new Duster is equipped with a 7-inch digital driver’s display capable of showing a large variety of information, with hybrid variants receiving additional variant-specific graphics.

In terms of features, the SUV offers a 10.1-inch free-floating touchscreen system, wireless phone charging, ventilated front seats, and a 6-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system.

The new Duster also includes an electronic parking brake for added convenience. Its automatic variants use a toggle for the drive selector.

The new Duster offers a 472-liter boot space.

Also Read: All The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Buying A New Car At The End Of A Calendar Year

Powertrain Details

The third-gen Duster is being offered globally with a range of powertrain options, including hybrid and LPG. These include a 130 PS, 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with a 48V mild hybrid system, a strong-hybrid 140 PS 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine paired to two electric motors, powered by a 1.2 kWh battery pack. The last one is a combination of petrol and LPG. It is available with both manual and automatic transmission options. The SUV also comes with an all-wheel drivetrain (AWD), emphasizing its rugged appeal and the proven off-roading capabilities of the Duster brand.

Also Check Out: M S Dhoni’s Garage Gets Another Touch Of Exclusivity With The Mercedes-AMG G 63 SUV

Price And Competition

We anticipate the new Renault Duster to have a starting price of Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). It will compete with the Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq, Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigun, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Citroen C3 Aircross.