Fresh details about India-bound car surface

The French automotive giant, Renault, is reportedly working on the development of the next generation of its once highly popular mid-sized SUV, the Duster. Reports of this SUV’s development have been circulating on the internet for some time, and a few spy shots have also been seen in recent months. Further details have emerged, and we now know that the company plans to launch the all-new Duster by the Diwali festivities of 2025.

As previously reported, the forthcoming Duster will be based on the lower-spec version of Renault-Nissan’s CMF-B platform. It is expected to be called the CMF-B LS, and this new platform will have India-specific changes, similar to Volkswagen’s India-specific MQB-A0-IN platform, which is based on the brand’s global MQB platform.

In terms of exterior design, this new SUV will take inspiration from the Renault Bigster Concept SUV that the brand showcased a few years ago. The India-specific Renault Duster will have new, sharp body lines and receive Y-themed elements for the front grille, headlamps, and tail lamps. The upcoming Renault Duster will also have all-LED headlamps and tail lamps, at least in the top-spec variants. It will continue to have an upright and muscular stance for its design, which made it the most SUV-like in its category when it was first launched in the country. The new Duster will have slightly flared wheel arches, a high ground clearance (possibly the best in its segment), and an upright bonnet. New details on the SUV suggest that it will be around 4.44 meters in length.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Other key details about the forthcoming Duster are that it could come with the option of multiple different powertrains. As of yet, it is unclear which of these will be confirmed for India. It is believed that the Duster in international markets will first arrive with both the entry-level 1.0 TCe GPL with 105 hp and the 1.6 hybrid with 140 hp. Between these two motors, the company will also offer a 1.2 48V hybrid motor with a manual transmission and 130 horsepower. The catalog will be completed with a brand-new dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Additionally, down the line, the 1.6 Hybrid variant will be replaced by the 1.8 Hybrid (HR18), which will have a new axial flow electric motor co-developed with the French start-up Whylot, towards the end of 2025.

It has also been reported that the company could offer the new Duster with a mechanical rear differential four-wheel-drive system. It is anticipated that a 1.2 48V LPG 140 hp variant engine with an automatic transmission will be equipped with an e-AWD system (electric rear differential), which the company is currently developing and will also be offered in the country.

Once launched, this new SUV will face stiff competition from the current mid-size segment champions, such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, and the soon-to-be-launched petrol-hybrid midsize SUV from Honda.

Also read: Mahindra Bolero beautifully modified to look like Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

The French automotive giant, Renault, is reportedly working on the development of the next generation of its once highly popular mid-sized SUV, the Duster. Reports of this SUV’s development have been circulating on the internet for some time, and a few spy shots have also been seen in recent months. Further details have emerged, and we now know that the company plans to launch the all-new Duster by the Diwali festivities of 2025.

As previously reported, the forthcoming Duster will be based on the lower-spec version of Renault-Nissan’s CMF-B platform. It is expected to be called the CMF-B LS, and this new platform will have India-specific changes, similar to Volkswagen’s India-specific MQB-A0-IN platform, which is based on the brand’s global MQB platform.

In terms of exterior design, this new SUV will take inspiration from the Renault Bigster Concept SUV that the brand showcased a few years ago. The India-specific Renault Duster will have new, sharp body lines and receive Y-themed elements for the front grille, headlamps, and tail lamps. The upcoming Renault Duster will also have all-LED headlamps and tail lamps, at least in the top-spec variants. It will continue to have an upright and muscular stance for its design, which made it the most SUV-like in its category when it was first launched in the country. The new Duster will have slightly flared wheel arches, a high ground clearance (possibly the best in its segment), and an upright bonnet. New details on the SUV suggest that it will be around 4.44 meters in length.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Other key details about the forthcoming Duster are that it could come with the option of multiple different powertrains. As of yet, it is unclear which of these will be confirmed for India. It is believed that the Duster in international markets will first arrive with both the entry-level 1.0 TCe GPL with 105 hp and the 1.6 hybrid with 140 hp. Between these two motors, the company will also offer a 1.2 48V hybrid motor with a manual transmission and 130 horsepower. The catalog will be completed with a brand-new dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Additionally, down the line, the 1.6 Hybrid variant will be replaced by the 1.8 Hybrid (HR18), which will have a new axial flow electric motor co-developed with the French start-up Whylot, towards the end of 2025.

It has also been reported that the company could offer the new Duster with a mechanical rear differential four-wheel-drive system. It is anticipated that a 1.2 48V LPG 140 hp variant engine with an automatic transmission will be equipped with an e-AWD system (electric rear differential), which the company is currently developing and will also be offered in the country.

Once launched, this new SUV will face stiff competition from the current mid-size segment champions, such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, and the soon-to-be-launched petrol-hybrid midsize SUV from Honda.

Also read: Mahindra Bolero beautifully modified to look like Jeep Wrangler Rubicon