New-gen Duster will arrive in India by Diwali 2025; 7-seat derivative to follow later.
The all-new Renault Duster’s images have leaked online, showing us nearly everything about the India-bound SUV’s exterior. The new-gen midsize SUV, which is set to be revealed tomorrow in Portugal, is sold as the Dacia Duster in some international markets.
- New Duster resembles Bigster concept SUV
- India-bound Duster could get 170hp turbo-petrol engine
- Seven-seat version to be revealed a little later
New Renault Duster design highlights
As we’ve seen in the patent imagesthe new Duster borrows plenty of styling cues from the Bigster conceptbut naturally, the design and size are toned down. The new Duster will be larger than the model that was previously on sale in India, but it retains that rugged, chunky styling the SUV was known for.
The Y-shaped LED Daytime Running Lamps almost connect with the chrome elements on the slim grille; there are vertical air vents in the bumper that flank the circular fog light units; and there’s a large lower grille area that takes the shape of a flattened bull-bar.
You still get the large squared-off wheel arches, roof rails and spoiler from the Bigster, but there’s a design element that links this Duster to its predecessor – the tapering rear quarter glass. In profile, the new Duster also features a blacked-out vertical ‘shadow line’ below the mirrors, new blacked-out alloy wheels (expected on the top variants) as well as a distinctive kink in the cladding below the rear doors. The sharp, V-shaped tail-lights make the rear stand out, but the previous Duster’s prominent rear haunches have been toned down.
New Renault Duster powertrain details
As we’ve reported before, the new Duster will have three engine options globally – an entry-level 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol; a 140hp, 1.2-litre petrol hybrid; and a 170hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine that’s flex-fuel compliant in the higher trims. With its 170hp output, this will be the most powerful Duster to go into production.
For the Indian market, Renault has spoken about looking at strong hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the new Duster in order to give the SUV the efficiency of a diesel, since that powertrain will not be offered.
New Renault Duster India launch details
We’ve reported earlier that the new Duster will launch in India by Diwali 2025. It’ll be re-entering the ever-growing and fiercely competitive midsize SUV segement, where it’ll face off the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Nissan will have its own version of the Duster, and the midsize SUV will also form the basis for a seven-seat version, which will likely be called the Bigster.
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