Renault’s all-new affordable SUV is set to hit the Indian market. After a mixed review at the Auto Expo, the French major, keen to find a firm foothold in the sub-continent, has pulled out this ace from its stable of cars.
The Duster will be one of the first major small SUVs from a foreign manufacturer to slot somewhere between the Scorpio and Safari at the lower end, and the XUV at the higher.
Today’s all-terrain vehicles are often synonymous with bulk, but Renault Duster is an antidote to that idea. With a length of 4.31 metres and a width of 1.82 metres, Renault Duster is very compact. Its Megane-size proportions ensure that it is as at home in built-up areas as it is off the beaten track.
Renault Duster was designed to cope with all types of road and track, all over the world. In order to meet these wide-ranging needs, Renault Duster will be available in both 4x4 and 4x2 form.
The strengthened underside of Renault Duster is suitable for loose-surfaces and all-terrain use thanks to: high ground clearance of 210mm, short overhangs (822mm at the front, 820mm at the rear) and big clearance angles.
Travelling comfort
Renault Duster's occupants will appreciate the high standard of travelling comfort it provides, whatever the type of road or terrain, thanks to its high ride-height (205mm in 4x2 version and 210mm in 4x4 version) and specific work on its suspension (damper travel, springs and calibration). Comfort is further enhanced by Duster's long wheelbase (2.67m) and big 16-inch wheels.
Renault Duster can be ordered with a 1.6 16V 105 petrol engine or a dCi 85 diesel engines, both of which have already showcased their qualities under the bonnet of numerous other Renault models.
Both boast particularly thrifty fuel consumption:
· The combined cycle fuel consumption of the 4x2 and 4x4 versions of Renault Duster dCi 85 is just 5.1 and 5.3 litres/100km respectively.
· The combines cycle fuel consumption of the 4x2 and 4x4 versions of Renault Duster 1.6 16V 105 is 7.5 and 7.9 litres/100km respectively.
No compromise on safety
Renault Duster benefits from Renault’s acclaimed expertise in the area of safety.
On the active safety front, Renault Duster features, depending on versions, Bosch 8.1 ABS, as well as EBV electronic brakeforce distribution and EBA emergency brake assist.
On the passive safety front, Renault Duster is fitted, as standard, with two front airbags (depending on market) and three-point seat belts with load limiters for the front seats, to which pyrotechnic pretensioners can be added. Depending on the version, two lateral head/thorax airbags are fitted in addition to the driver and passenger front airbags.
Never Buy French Cars unless and until you have very deep pockets to maintain them. This review comes from a Fleet owner in Dubai who has first hand experience of owning a fleet of Renault, Peugeot and Citroen cars.
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