[volkman10]

Renault Duster SUV to get another update along with a BS-VI engine, begin trials on Indian roads.

The car-maker has no plans to launch the second-gen Duster (HJD) which was launched in Europe in 2017.

Not to be confused with the all-new Duster (Codename: HJD) already on sale in international markets, the Duster seen in these spy shots is the current-gen model that will be upgraded to meet BS-VI emission standards and the upcoming pedestrian protection safety standards – both of which kick-in by April 1, 2020.

Renault will only upgrade the 110hp variant (THP) of the 1.5-litre K9K diesel to BS-VI, whilst the lower-powered 85hp (HP) version is likely to be discontinued. The Duster petrol engine will also see an upgrade to BS-VI norms and will be available on the updated model. Gearbox choices are likely to include the 6-speed manual for the diesel and a 5-speed manual for the petrol. As far as automatics go, the Duster diesel will continue to be sold with an AMT while the petrol will solider on with a CVT gearbox.

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[revved_up]

Too bad on Renault India's part! The new gen Duster(HJD) can surely infuse some life into Renault India's fortunes, but doing these mild facelifts isn't going to help much! The competition has moved much ahead and this is just too little and too late.

[AYP]

While it is indeed sad that Renault won't be bringing the new Duster to India, the fence-sitters who were contemplating whether to go for the Duster in 2019 have a reason to be happy.

[rajess_in]

Originally Posted by revved_up

Too bad on Renault India's part! ....

at the least this ensures that the All New Duster doesn't go the Captur / Kicks way and come with New exterior on outdated chassis.

Looking at the upcoming launches (Kia, MG, Citreon, etc.) and the current line up (Creta, XUV300, etc.), it would be very tough to recapture the lost market share even with the new platform. My suggestion would be to target a segment higher in the 12-18 Lakhs (not the captur of course) like Kadjar, Grand Scenic, etc.

[fx45]

So this "new" Duster will see some stiff competition from most rivals that will be already in their "next-gen" phase, mainly the Creta, Scorpio and XUV500. Tough times for Renault!

[arjab]

My gut feel is Renault is committing a big mistake in reading the market.
The DUSTER has a very strong brand recall on being the first entrant amongst a glut of SUV's which are flooding our market.
The Romanian lass was not without substance. It looked butch, had a very nice ride, pretty much sorted out handling , varied powertrain options, including all wheel drive and was reasonably spacious as well. True, it was let down by the lack of the "plush" factor on the interiors and the tacky feeling plastics, but it was a no nonsense , robust and practical SUV , striking a good balance between the head and the heart.

Had Renault brought in the latest European version, which apparently has better fit, finish and comfort levels, they could've cashed in on the existing brand equity and taken the Duster nameplate to a higher level.

In fact, not getting the latest variant of the Duster, would obliquely hint at the fact that Renault does not want to offer its current product basket to Indian customers and hence they run a strong chance of alienating their customer base here.

Renault-Nissan should learn from the Koreans here. Look at Hyundai. They've always launched their latest iterations in India. Sometimes, Hyundai India launches are ahead of their global launches! Soon to follow will be KIA too, and you can be sure that the market will lap up their products.

The customers in the "nudging-million-rupees" product segment in India are a very demanding lot. They are well travelled, well read , have seen what cars run where across the globe and expect the same, or at least a part of it, if not all, from that range.

Too bad Renault. Possibly you will now base all your products on variations of your KWID CMF-A platform, to achieve cost targets. But whether you will meet sales targets, or win the crucial "perception" target in the eyes of your customers' is another debate altogether!

Hope I'm proved wrong and may the spiced up Dusty continue to find many happy buyers !

[libranof1987]

Such sloppy strategy from Renault-Nissan. If we look at most threads in the What Car? segment, the Duster ranks high in capability but almost always loses out because "it is too outdated". Renault would do well for themselves in realizing this gap but pity they have been overlooking it.

If the 85hp variant is discontinued, it will only bring down sales further; from what I've seen, majority of the Dusters are the 85hp version.

Yet another lost opportunity for Renault-Nissan.

[Dry Ice]

Sad to read this. I was hoping Renault would bring the all new Duster with the BS6 update atleast. Are they afraid to commit to our market? Is exit (sometime in the future) an option in their minds?

[Rigid Rotor]

Dear Renault India,
If the news given by Autocar India is true, then I am afraid that its:
Time to start packing your bags and winding up your India operations!

You are committing the same mistake that you did by introducing the Captur - at least the Captur had a different skin ! Haven't you chaps been introduced to concept of product life-cycles? The old Duster is well past its prime and is now in its terminal stage.

If you believe that Indians are crazy enough to continue buying the same old Duster with a different front and rear bumper and (wow) LED headlamps, then maybe it may continue for a max of six months before sales nosedive into a crash-landing - and then it will definitely be bye-bye time for Renault India!

This by the way, is coming from a Duster owner who has an original 2012 launch 110 RXZ still owning it and hoping for an upgrade to the new gen Duster.
Its now over to Kia or perhaps Hyundai for my replacement vehicle, definitely!

[GTO]

The Nissan Kicks has royally flopped in the market (wait for our Feb sales thread and you'll know) & it'll be the same with this updated Duster. In a market that is increasingly becoming competitive - where "latest is the greatest" - Renault wants to continue selling a product that felt aged even at its 2012 launch? An SUV that is based on a 15-year old Logan platform? How dumb.

After the Captur bombed, Renault clearly has lost confidence. The Kick's failure surely hasn't helped either.

[noelravin]

I think Renault should fast track the Arkanna launch it that is on the cards. I think they need a strong product like that to salvage their reputation as s serious car maker.

[FrodoOfTheShire]

I have always been baffled by Renualt India's decisions in general and more specific to the Duster. When you've gone ahead and introduced a segment starter in the Indian market and established a popular product, it's foolish to become complacent and take the foot off the pedal.

Look at Hyundai Creta and Bajaj Pulsar, the leaders in their respective segments. They're always in sync with market sentiments and constantly keep updated to maintain that edge over the competition.

Infact the Duster was in my final shortlist when I was car shopping last year but the pathetically outdated ancient interiors was a huge turn off. Even the new international Duster isn't that posh IMO. From the YouTube videos I saw last year, the dashboard still looked bland and the door handles were still those old flap type IIRC!

This update from Renault India just seems an attempt to keep the Duster barely alive by meeting the new regulations and nothing more.

[MaserQ]

Haven't Renault Nissan learnt their lesson after 2 failed re-skinning jobs failed in the market? Duster still has a solid brand value, so why not cash in by launching the new Duster? Build to a cost seems to be the only mantra at Renault Nissan.. but at what cost?

[octane_100]

Originally Posted by GTO

After the Captur bombed, Renault clearly has lost confidence. The Kick's failure surely hasn't helped either.

This is kind of a self-fulfilling-prophecy for Renault-Nissan: You are not confident of sales - you don't commit fully to the market - launch average products - No sales - you justify your lack of commitment.......

[PapaBravo]

Someone read "How to kill a brand for dummies" at the HQ it seems. Duster is such a strong brand for Renault which they could have revived had they introduced the HJD model here.

Launching the same car with new lights/grills in 2020 which they launched in way back in 2012 is blunder.

Captur was a dead on arrival. They kept pumping money in marketing Captur for more than a year with no success.

Hope some sense prevails and they don't end up like Fiat/Chevrolet once the Kwid fever is over.