We drive the newly unveiled all-wheel-drive variant of the Renault Duster, and come back mighty impressed.
Story: Gaurav Nagpal
Photography: Rommel Albuquerque
‘Compact SUV’ – an oxymoron of sorts? Yes, if you were in the Indian market before July 2012. It was then that French automobile manufacturers Renault, present in India since 2008, chose to launch their fourth model in the market – an SUV called the Duster. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Duster has garnered (and still does) all manner of appreciation and awards for its driveability and build quality, among others attributes. What was sorely missed, though, was a four-wheel-drive option. Renault have finally paid heed to the pleadings of Duster fans and unveiled the Duster AWD (all-wheel-drive). We took its top-end variant, the Duster AWD RxZ, off the beaten track in the hills of Lavasa to see what the fuss was all about.
At first glance, you are hard-pressed to notice any significant changes when you stare the low-squat Duster AWD in the face. Then you spot the smoked headlamps and the blackened B-pillars. The 16” five-spoke ‘Anthracite’ (as Renault call them) alloy wheels are particularly attractive, and there is AWD badging on the side and rear of the car.
The interior sees many changes. The three-pod chrome-ringed instrument cluster is new and looks attractive; it now includes an instantaneous fuel consumption readout. The new three-spoke steering wheel is sufficiently sporty and comfortable to grip, and includes buttons for cruise control. Behind the steering wheel on the right are the audio and Bluetooth controls, positioned where paddle-shifters would be, and these take some getting used to. The infotainment system is a touchscreen unit with navigation and USB/Aux/Bluetooth connectivity.
The dual-tone dashboard looks good and uses some new soft-touch plastics for a premium feel; the quality and build of plastics was a complaint in the existing Duster, and the AWD feels much better. The seats are also dual-tone (grey and red) and offer a sufficient balance between comfort and sportiness.
