The Dacia Bigster has finally broken covers globally ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut later this week. The Bigster is a three-row version of the third-gen Duster which made its debut in November last year and hence the name it could be an amalgam of “BIG duSTER”.
The SUV holds great significance for the Indian market since it will come to the country rebranded as Renault, Dacia’s parent company. Earlier this year, the French carmaker had announced its plans of launching four SUVs in India in the next couple of years, out of them one is the next-gen Duster and the other is its seven-seat sibling— Bigster.
Renault Bigster: Exterior design
Based on the CMF-B platform, the Bigster shares a lot in common with its smaller sibling as well as the Bigster concept which broke cover in 2021. For starters, it gets the same Y-shaped LED elements in the headlights as seen in the new-gen Duster flanking the sleek grille with the DC logo at the centre which will be replaced by the “RENAULT” branding when it comes to India. The large air dam below gets small cuboidal elements.
The flat, muscular bumper with a chunky bash plate, the flared wheel arches with thick black claddings, and the overall geometric shape of the panels give the SUV a brawny appearance. Coming to the side profile, the rear door handles are mounted on the C-pillar. There are options of 17- or 18-inch machine-cut alloy wheels as standard depending on the market whereas buyers could avail the 19-inch designer alloy wheels for the top-spec Journey trim.
At the rear, the Y-shaped treatment has been carried over to the taillight as well. The blacked-out pillar gives the roof a floating effect. Other visual highlights like the black claddings on door sills, roof rails, a rear skid plate, and a roof-mounted spoiler accentuate the SUV’s sporty and rugged looks.
Renault Bigster: Interiors & features
The rugged appeal of the exterior is carried over to the interiors as well. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by a modern and stylish interior. The 3-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel and hexagonal AC vents with Y-shaped elements create a unique and eye-catching look. The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system puts all your entertainment and connectivity options at your fingertips.
Other key features include convenient mobile phone mount, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, wireless charging, a digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, and a 6-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system for an immersive audio experience.
Renault Bigster: Powertrain options
Renault or Dacia haven’t officially commented on the engine options to be available with the Bigster. However, it is most likely to share the same powertrain options as the Duster. This includes a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid mill and a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Like Duster, Bigster will also be offered with either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive setup, depending on the market. Both models will benefit from terrain modes including Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, off-road, and Eco.