Ever since Renault announced earlier this year that it will be bringing back the Duster to India, fans of the nameplate and key stakeholders have been keenly awaiting the arrival of the same. It is supposed to make its debut in India sometime around Diwali next year which means probable launch in November 2025.
The Duster went off the sale last year due to poor demand which was a sad occurrence given it held the distinction of being the first C-segment mid-size SUV in India which launched in 2013. Test mules of the latest iteration of the SUV have been spied on numerous occasions over the past year and a half.
New-gen Renault Duster spied
Meanwhile, a prototype of the new-gen Duster has been spotted testing on Indian roads for the first time. A heavily camouflaged test mule of the SUV has reportedly been caught on camera somewhere in Kerala. Although most of the intricate design details are unclear in the last set of spy images, it can be safely assumed that the India-spec Duster will be visually similar to its international counterpart.
Speaking of which, the Duster is already on sale in some international markets both as a Dacia as well as a Renault. The Renault version of the Duster recently went on sale in Turkey first. Based on the Bigster concept which was unveiled in 2021, the upcoming iteration of Duster will be the third generation model. The Indian market didn’t receive the second-gen model and will directly move on to the third-gen model.
New-gen Renault Duster: Design
The new-gen Duster will be based on Renault’s CMF-B platform and carries forward the signature ruggedness of the old Duster. It gets sleek LED headlamps integrated with Y-shaped DRLs, along with boxy wheel arches, a slim grille, and vertical air vents in the front. Overall, the Duster will continue to retain its butch looks with roof rails, 17/18-inch alloy wheels, and plastic cladding on the lower half of the vehicle.
Coming to the side profile, the rear door handles are mounted on the C-pillar. 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.
The new Renault Duster will have a wheelbase of 2,657mm and will come as a seven-seater version called the Bigster, which recently broke covers in October this year globally.
New-gen Renault Duster: Features & Powertrain specs
Step inside the new Duster and you’ll find a driver-centric cockpit. A 7-inch instrument cluster and a 10-inch infotainment system dominate the dashboard. The round steering wheel, equipped with various controls, completes the modern look. The Duster also offers the convenience of wireless charging, wireless smartphone connectivity, a six-speaker audio system, and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems.
Internationally, the new-gen Duster is offered with three engine options– 120 hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine; a 140hp, 1.2-litre turbo petrol motor, and a 170 hp, 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine. The latter two options are paired with mild hybrid setup while the 1.3-litre unit is also flex fuel compatible. This unit is the most powerful motor in the Duster lineup ever.