The new Renault Duster has been officially unveiled by Dacia, Renault’s sibling brand, amidst a cascade of online leaks.
The grand reveal took place in Portugal, showcasing the third-gen Duster, set to hit the European markets early next year and subsequently expand its availability to other regions. However, the all-new Duster is scheduled to roll onto Indian roads in the second half of 2025.
Sitting proudly on the robust CMF-B platform, shared with distinguished models from Dacia, Renault, and Nissan, the third-generation Duster maintains its rugged, off-road charm. Drawing inspiration from the Dacia Bigster concept, the new Duster stands at an impressive 4.34 meters, slightly longer than its predecessor, exuding a more aggressive aura.
Sporting resemblances to the Dacia Bigster concept, the Renault-branded Duster SUV, while resembling newer Dacia models in the front, will present its distinct design differentiations upon its debut next year. Moreover, there’s a treat in store – a seven-seat variant slated to make its appearance shortly after. Although slightly shorter in wheelbase at 2,657mm compared to its forerunner, the new Duster promises an enhanced driving experience.
NEW RENAULT DUSTER: DESIGN
The front fascia boasts slim Y-shaped LED Daytime Running Lamps, seamlessly connected with chrome elements on the slim grille. Vertical air vents in the bumper flank circular fog light units, and a large lower grille area adds a distinctive touch. With squared-off wheel arches, roof rails, and a spoiler reminiscent of the Bigster, the Duster preserves a connection to its predecessor through the tapering rear quarter glass.
The profile showcases blacked-out vertical ‘shadow lines,’ new 18-inch blacked-out alloy wheels (with 17-inch units for lower trims), and a unique kink in the cladding below the rear doors. The rear stands out with sharp, Y-shaped tail-lights, and while the prominent rear haunches have been toned down, the new Duster’s boot impressively accommodates up to 472 liters of luggage.
NEW RENAULT DUSTER: INTERIOR
Inside, the double-layer dashboard embraces light and dark grey shades. Higher variants feature two digital screens – a 7-inch one for driver information and a 10.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. The three-spoke steering wheel is loaded with buttons for infotainment, telephony, and cruise control duties.
The top-of-the-line Duster boasts an array of features, including wireless charging, wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, and an Arkamys 3D sound system equipped with six speakers. Notably, the new Duster embraces advanced ADAS technology, encompassing automatic emergency braking, detection systems for vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, traffic sign recognition with speeding alerts, rear parking assistant, lane change warnings and assistance, among other capabilities.
NEW RENAULT DUSTER: ENGINE
Under the hood, the new Duster offers three engine options, two of which are electrified. Kicking off the lineup is the 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid with two electric motors, offering a seamless driving experience with an automatic gearbox and regenerative braking. The 130 bhp, 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a 48V starter motor is the next in line.
While the Duster embraces 4×2 and 4×4 options, the 1.2-litre mild-hybrid powertrain takes center stage. Though lacking a full-fledged 4×4 setup, it compensates with terrain modes, including Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, off-road, and Eco.
With a ground clearance of 217mm and impressive approach and departure angles, the Duster 4×4 is ready to conquer diverse terrains, complemented by hill-descent control for speeds up to 30kph.
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