Nissan India unveils Renault Duster-based Terrano SUV

Ahead of the Indian festive season of Dusshera-Diwali, Nissan India has officially unveiled the Terrano, an SUV based on the Renault Duster. The Terrano SUV, a badge engineered version of the Duster, seeks to give more to the SUV buyer by going a step further from mere re-badging. First introduced in 1986, the world has seen three previous generations of the Terrano. India though, will get the fourth generation version in the form of the Duster based model. 

The SUV gets an all new front end, a new hatch lid and also various sheet metal changes to differentiate the Terrano's design from that of the Duster. The SUV also rides on 16 inch alloy wheels that feature a new design. However, the Terrano does retain the overall shape and profile of the Duster, including the pronounced wheel arches. The Terrano will be made available in six colours (Grey, Silver, Black, White, Red and Grey) with the launch and price announcement to happen in early October, ahead of Diwali. 

On the inside, the Terrano ups the ante with new interiors that seem to exude better quality that those of the Duster. Beige finish for the upholstery and the dashboard, along with wood inserts on the door and center console trims make the Terrano's interiors seem more premium than those of the Duster. Other changes include a new steering wheel, a new music system and rectangular air conditioning vents.

In terms of the Terrano's mechanicals, Nissan India did not announce technical specifications during the SUV's unveil. This said, the SUV will share its engine and gearbox options with the Duster, including the front wheel drive layout. The Terrano is the second SUV that Nissan will sell in India, and the first SUV to be locally produced. The other SUV that Nissan sells in India is the X-Trail, which happens to be imported through the completely built unit (CBU) route. 

Nissan dealers across India will begin accepting pre-bookings for the Terrano SUV from the 1st of September, and the starting price tag of the Terrano will be under 10 lakh rupees. For now, Nissan is non-committal about exporting the Terrano to global markets, although such a possibility cannot be ruled out. Nissan India also announced plans of expanding its dealership base, from the existing 100 to 300, by the year 2016.