We take the Renault Duster’s latest iteration for a drive and see what it’s made of
Story: Harket Suchde
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
The Duster is one of the most recognised compact crossovers in India today. However, if it has been lacking in one thing, it’s an auto-box…until now. Renault have attuned the Duster further to public demand by introducing an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) gearbox, and we had a chance to see what it was like.
However, lets take it from the top, because the gearbox isn’t the only thing that’s new on the 2016 Duster. Renault gave their flagship a few choice style upgrades too, the most eye-catching of which is a brand new skid-plate. The headlamps and tail-lamps have both been given some revision as well, and look that much better for it. The alloys, while remaining 16-inchers, have been given a makeover too, including the very fetching gun-metal finish treatment.
There’s also a new colour in the mix now, the Cayenne Orange that you see in the pictures here.
Inside the cabin, additions include reworked seats, the inclusion of door-handle highlights, a dash that now has the word Duster embossed on it, and a-c vents with colour-matched surrounds. The quality of the interior, too, is much improved, and the overall effect, for me, is brilliant. The Duster was always a decent-looker, although now, with the new additions and fresh orange hue, its kerb presence has shot up.
It is decent on comfort, too, with the driver’s seat now getting lumbar support, and arm-rests all around. The a-c has been changed to one of the auto climate control variety, the infotainment is touchscreen and features GPS. The Duster now also comes with parking camera and reverse sensors. Steering-mounted controls, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, 12 V power slots and other sundry features are present as well.
