Launched in 2012, the Duster has been the game-changing vehicle for Renault. Since then there has been no looking back, as the Duster and even the Terrano are doing good numbers. There has been a reduction in the number of units, but this had to happen as competition increases.
The Duster at the moment is available with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and two tunes of the 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine. All the variants at the moment are available only with a front-wheel drive (two-wheel drive).
This however will change soon. Renault will introduce a mild facelift of the Duster. This will not just be a cosmetic upgrade but even a mechanical one. The Duster’s 110bhp variant of the 1.5-litre diesel engine will also get an option of Duster 4x4. The power ratings will remain the same, while there shall be a change in the power supply to the wheels. There will be three modes, two-wheel drive high, four-wheel drive low and even a high for the latter. Then there will be a lock too, like the old-school four-wheel drive that will give equal power to all the wheels.
The Chennai-plant already manufactures the 4x4 variant and exports it to the United Kingdom as Dacia Duster. The same specifications Duster will be launched in India too. However, the Duster is getting some cosmetic upgrades too. To begin with, it will have some new added features too. The top-of-the-line will now feature a touchscreen that we have seen on some of the new variants of the Duster.
There has been a demand for a 4x4 version of the Duster in the recent past and Renault seems to have finally heard the request of these 4x4 buyers. Certainly the demand for the 4x4 won’t be as high as the 4x2. There is no denying that the company is looking for more features in the existing Duster. Expect the pricing to be similar or a surprise for us.
With the beginning of Duster 4x4 manufacturing, we can soon even have a Terrano 4x4 too. Nissan will also want to get its hands in the 4x4 market and we will see some changes on the Terrano as well. The Terrano also shares the same Duster platform and hence the manufacturing cost will lower with these new upcoming variants. There are some enthusiasts who need 4x4, it will be only after the launch that we will know how many end up buying the all-wheel drive.
Source : CarDekho