Confirmed: New Renault Duster Coming to India in 2025

The anticipation for the next generation of the Renault Duster has been officially confirmed for the Indian automotive market, marking a significant development in the country’s SUV landscape. Renault’s strategic approach extends beyond the Duster alone, as there are indications of a localised version of the Dacia Jogger making its way to the Indian market. The next-generation Renault Duster has been officially confirmed for the Indian market and is expected to be launched in 2025. We can also expect a localised version of the Dacia Jogger seven-seater vehicle and two Nissan derivatives of the Duster and the Jogger. The new Renault (Dacia) Duster was unveiled on 26 November and is the third generation of the compact SUV. It features a revised exterior design, all-new interiors, and three-petrol engines — including one that is LPG compatible for EU markets.

Joining the Duster, Jogger, and their two Nissan siblings will be two A-segment EVs, the Kwid, Magnite, Triber, and the Nissan derivative of the Triber. The Renault-Nissan alliance will also go even bigger in terms of exports from India as it will deliver to both LHD and RHD markets.

Features

1. Renault’s Next-Gen Duster Confirmed: The eagerly awaited next generation of the Renault Duster has officially been confirmed for the Indian market.
2. Showcased on November 26: The unveiling of the upcoming Duster model took place on November 26, creating excitement among automotive enthusiasts.
3. Petrol Engine Options: The new Duster will offer a variety of petrol engines, aligning with the industry’s emphasis on cleaner and more fuel-efficient powertrains.
4. Expected Launch in 2025: Renault plans to launch the next-gen Duster in 2025, signalling a new phase in the evolution of this popular SUV.
5. Localised Version of Dacia Jogger: There are indications of a localised version of the Dacia Jogger, a seven-seater vehicle, entering the Indian market.
6. Two Nissan Derivatives: The collaboration between Renault and Nissan could result in two Nissan derivatives, drawing inspiration from both the Duster and Jogger platforms.
7. Strategic SUV Portfolio: Renault’s strategic approach aims to align its product offerings with the dynamic trends and demands of the Indian automotive landscape.
8. Innovation and Competitiveness: The introduction of the next-gen Duster and associated models sets the stage for a period of innovation and competitiveness in the SUV segment.

Have you been seeing more and more hybrid cars in the Indian market these days? Well, the cost of petrol and diesel continues to be on an upward trajectory and although EVs are amassing more and more new car buyers with every passing year, the transition from ICE to electric has a long way to go before the latter truly becomes mainstream.  What we are left with, then, is hybrid technology which seems to have picked up strongly in the last few years. Here, we have come up with a list of hybrid SUVs for 2024 that will join the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Sigma, Honda City eHEV, and the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. 

Toyota showcased a hybrid version of the Fortuner at the 2023 Indonesia International Auto Show. It’s a hybrid car but not the kind of hybrid that you would expect. In fact, the Fortuner that you see here is capable of running on bioethanol. Currently, it is in the prototype stage, though we expect it to go into production in the near future. It is powered by a 2.7-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that the standard model gets. Here, it makes 163bhp and 243 Nm of torque, which is marginally less than the standard model.  The setup is paired with an automatic gearbox, which sends power to the rear wheels only. For this upcoming hybrid car, Toyota has heavily revised it to run on 100 per cent bioethanol. The changes include revisions to the fuel system, given that ethanol as a fuel is harsher than petrol. Toyota India has showcased its flex-fuel vehicles in the past and if the Fortuner Flex Fuel goes into production, it will make its way to the Indian market as well. 

The third generation of the Renault Duster has been shown for the global markets. For India, this entirely new model will lead Renault India’s premium SUV range and will also spawn an equivalent model from Nissan. The Duster is expected to come with a total of three engine options including one with hybrid tech. Globally, there is a 1.6-litre petrol version featuring an automatic gearbox and two electric motors. 

This is a full hybrid system, similar to the Honda eHEV system or what both Maruti Suzuki and Toyota offer on the Grand Vitara and the Urban Cruiser, respectively. This engine is already offered in the Jogger MPV where it produces 140bhp/148Nm and has a mileage of 24.5kmpl. The second option is a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 48V electric motor with an output in the range of 110bhp-160bhp. India is expected to be a production and export hub for the Duster and its Nissan counterpart. The alliance will manufacture the car for both RHD and LHD markets in the sub-continent. 

2023-12-07 17:35:20