Renault seem to be hell-bent on changing the common perception about European cars in India with the Duster, their price warrior SUV!
This is the big one for renault india.
Not just in size, but the sheer importance of this sUV to be successful for the company’s future. the Duster is a popular compact sUV sold internationally with the Dacia badge. So to get a first impression of the sUV we, pretty much as in a Guy Ritchie flick, packed our cameras (zip), hopped on the first flight (swoosh) and landed in Chennai (screech).
The india-spec Duster was waiting for us at the test track of Renault-Nissan’s plant, where it is manufactured. While chatting with the company’s Managing Director, Mark Nassif, we discovered that Renault India have made several changes and reduced NHV levels so that the vehicle would be better suited and more appealing to the Indian customers. The obvious visible changes include the new chrome grille with the renault badge, roof rails, prominent sump guards and new bumpers. the bonnet looks rather squat and flat and would have looked better if it had more rake, merging with the ‘A’ pillar. the accentuated wheel-arches and tail-lamp highlights make it look impressive even from the rear. The Duster has great proportions and good road presence, a must for sUVs, and due to its compact size it’s not over-imposing either.
We drove the top-of-the-line RxZ variant with chrome-finish roof-rails, outer rear-view mirror (orVM) console and some chrome inserts in the cabin as well. You get an option of full leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob or you may opt for fabric upholstery. the dashboard has a combination of glossy black and hard matt-beige plastic. Although the quality of the material is not exceptional, it can be acceptable since it was built for a price. the centre console is flat and neatly laid out, though the ‘piano black’ shroud could have been of better plastic. there are a couple of cup-holders and only the front doors get storage pockets. The driving proportions are spot on and there’s good overall visibility from the driver’s seat, since you sit high. You also get a fairly decent music system and reverse sensors as added features along with Abs, ebD and air-bags.
If you are used to Japanese cars, then locating the buttons and switches around the dash might take a little while. For instance, the door’s central locking button is at the bottom of the console, the orVM adjuster is near the hand-brake and the audio controls, as in most renault cars, are behind the steering wheel. in reality these are minor issues and in a couple of hours you’ll know exactly what’s where.
The wide and well-bolstered rear seats are pretty comfortable and are split in 60:40 for convenience. The back rest has been further tilted by two degrees to give a more relaxed sitting position. in fact, there’s also a second air-conditioning unit for the rear passengers. But a single vent would direct the draft in just one direction, neglecting the other portion of the cabin and hamper the leg-room. our observation was graciously noted and a bigger, rectangular vent would greet you once the sUV reaches the showrooms. the boot appears narrow, but is reasonably large with 470 litres of luggage space and it comes covered with a parcel tray. And, yes, this is a five-seater, so don’t expect third-row seating.
Powering this SUV is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol motor producing 104 Ps and 145 nM. While the diesel option will get Renault’s most popular 1.5-litre dCI engine, in two different states of tune, the variable geometry turbo equipped produces 110 PS, which we got to drive, and the other detuned to 85 PS. The more powerful diesel motor comes with a slick six-speed transmission, while the 85 PS is mated with a five-speed gearbox.
We drove on the test track which has varied terrain to get the maximum feedback form the vehicle. The motor is refined and has been tuned for fuel efficiency with a claimed figure of over 20 kpl, but the 110 PS of power seems to be adequate. Extra care has been taken to reduce NVH levels and though the diesel motor is audible, once inside the cabin, there is barely any vibration or noise from the diesel motor. Currently it will be available only in the 4 x 2 option, though they have a 4 x 4 version ready that can be introduced if there is enough demand.
There is mild turbo lag, which is hardly a bother and there is enough torque available even at low revs, which would make the Duster effortless to use in the city. At just 1,308 kg, the light-weight Duster was quick off its feet but in spite of being equipped with ABS and EBD the rear-end does tend to twitch during hard braking. The gear shifts are smooth and precise and the steering is on the heavier side, which goes well on a SUV.
Based on the Logan platform, it has a monocoque chassis, as opposed to ladder-on-frame more common in this segment, which gives this Renault excellent driving dynamics. There is hardly any body-roll and the good turning radius gives it a sedan-like driveability. The SUV has a charming ride quality, a rare aspect in this segment. On the artificially created ‘bad-road’ section on the track we put the SUV’s prowess to test. The rigid chassis and tuned suspension of the Indian version make the Duster as comfortable on flat roads as on patchy stretches. It soaked up all the undulations and bumps without losing composure. Negotiating the alternate humps, we could hear soft creaking as the chassis flex, signalling the car’s ability to take on fair amount of off-roading too.
The Renault Duster brings French refinement and class-leading ride to this segment that none of the current competitors offer. But the competitors do offer more features such as 4 x 4, reverse camera, ESP, better interior, even third-row seating, not to forget the brand images the companies have built up over the years. The Duster’s biggest USP could be its price, as we expected it to be between Rs 8 and 12 lakh since it is being manufactured here with up to 80 per cent localisation. Will it live up to the expectations? We predict a lot of fireworks on July 4 when the SUV is officially launched in India.
NEED TO KNOW
Renault Duster dCI
Price Rs 8-12 lakh (estimated)
Engine 1461cc, 85/110PS, 200/248Nm
Transmission Five-speed / six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Fuel Efficiency 20kmpl (claimed)
Renault Duster k4m
Price Rs 7-10 lakh (estimated)
Engine 1.6-litre, 104PS, 145Nm
Transmission Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Fuel Efficiency NA
Story: Sarmad Kadiri
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
