Renault has shifted production of the UK-spec Dacia Duster from India to Romania.

Built at the Renault-Nissan factory near Chennai, the Duster was exported to the UK. However, in the summer of 2014, the production of the crossover was shifted to Dacia's Pitesti plant in Romania. The company claims that the transfer of production is for economic and logistical reasons. With the move, the waiting period for the car, which was about 8 weeks when the car was produced in India, has been reduced by 3-4weeks.

However, reports that Dusters made in India were suffering from inconsistency in paintwork and corrosion issues must be taken into consideration as well. The company had offered to carry out inspections and if require, repairs on the affected vehicles. The work carried out would be covered under warranty.

Renault has sold about 20,000 units of the India-made Duster in the UK.

Renault is gearing up to launch the all-wheel drive (AWD) variant of the Duster soon. Here are some details of the vehicle.

The new variant will be powered by the same 1.5-litre, K9K diesel engine, which produces 108.5 bhp and 240 Nm of torque as the regular Duster. It will even use the same 6-speed manual transmission. However, in the AWD, power will be sent to all four wheels of the car instead of just the front wheels. It will come with three drive modes - 2WD, Auto and Lock and the user will be able to shift between these three modes on the move by turning a switch, located on the centre console, below the AC control knobs.

The Duster AWD will use an all-wheel independent multi-link suspension instead of the torsion bean setup of the standard car. Also provided will be Renault's Electronic Torque Control System, which regulates the distribution of torque between all four wheels. A hill-start assist system and an Eco mode, which Renault claims will reduce fuel consumption, will also be available.

The Duster AWD will also feature a soft-touch dashboard, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel and new upholstery, new instrument cluster with a multi-information display, gear-shift indicator and cruise control.

AWD decals on the sides and a 4WD badge on the tail gate will help distinguish the AWD from the regular Duster.

The AWD variant will sit at the top of the Duster range and is likely to be positioned against 4x4 versions of the Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari.

Source: Autocar India

Earlier this year, we had reported that Renault is planning to introduce an all-wheel drive (AWD) variant of the Duster. Latest media reports suggest that the launch of the vehicle may not be too far away now. Additionally, Gang of Dusters members are reported to have received invites for a preview of the vehicle, which is an indication that the vehicle could go on sale soon.

The 4x4 variant is likely to sit at the top of the Duster range. It is likely to get all the features that are available on the RxZ variant and an all-wheel drive system. The vehicle is likely to be positioned against 4x4 versions of the Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari.

The Duster 4x4 is already on sale in Europe, where it wears a Dacia badge. For UK and Ireland, the Dacia Duster is built in India at the Renault-Nissan factory near Chennai. The SUV is available with a choice of two four-cylinder engines - 1.6-litre petrol developing 105 bhp and 148 Nm and 1.5-litre, K9K diesel producing 108.5 bhp and 240 Nm. For India, we expect the latter to be used. The 4x4 system is likely to be carried over from the European-spec Duster, which means that the 4L option will left out.

The Duster has been Renault's most successful car in India and is responsible for turning around the company's fortunes. With the addition of the 4x4 version, Renault will attempt to make the SUV appealing to off-roading enthusiasts.

Renault India is celebrating the second anniversary of the Duster in India with the launch of a special edition of the compact SUV. The 2nd Anniversary Edition, as it is called, is available on the RxE Adventure variant of the 85 PS diesel version of the car. It is priced at Rs 8.8 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is available only till July 20, 2014.

Just like any other Adventure variant of the Duster, the exterior of 2nd Anniversary Edition features an Amazon green paint job, smoked headlights, front armour with auxiliary lamps and body cladding. The car rides on 215/65 R16 tyres and has a ground clearance of 205 mm. On the inside, the vehicle gets sporty neon interiors.

For customers of the 2nd Anniversary Edition, Renault is offering an additional warranty of two years, free membership of the Gang of Dusters and free roadside assistance for four years.

Mechanically, the 2nd Anniversary Edition is identical to standard Duster 85 PS. It comes with the same 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, diesel engine that develops 85 PS @ 3750 rpm and 200 Nm of torque @ 1900 rpm and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Renault has sold more than 1 lakh units of the Duster in the country since its launch in July 2012 - a period of less than 2 years.

French carmaker Renault has announced that it has sold more than one lakh units of the Duster SUV in India since its launch in July 2012 - a period of less than two years.

To celebrate the milestone, the company has introduced a special edition of the SUV called the 1 Lakh Limited Edition. It has been priced at Rs. 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, all-India) and will be available in limited numbers from June 2014. More details on the car are awaited.

The Duster is one of Renault's most popular vehicles worldwide, having sold more than 1 million units in 4 years. At present, the SUV is sold in more than 100 countries across the globe.

In India, where Renault was struggling to sell its cars, the Duster has been responsible for changing its fortunes.

Back in February, Renault had launched an Adventure Edition of the Duster 110 PS RxL. The car featured some cosmetic changes to the exterior as well as the interior to distinguish it from the regular Duster. Now, the French carmaker has given the same treatment to the 85 PS RxE variant of the SUV.

Just like the 110 PS version, there is a pair of smoked headlights and a plastic pseudo bull bar with a pair of auxiliary lights. There is a black plastic cladding that runs along its length - over the wheel arches, doors and running board. Additionally, there are stickers on the D-pillar and tailgate. The Adventure Edition gets the same alloy wheels as a regular duster, but with a gun metal finish.

Coming to the interiors, the Adventure Edition features a piano black finish for the centre console and steering wheel of the car. The upholstery and door panels are dark grey and lime green and grab handles are painted in silver.

Mechanically, the Adventure Edition is identical to standard Duster. It comes with the same 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, diesel engine that develops 85 PS @ 3750 rpm and 200 Nm of torque @ 1900 rpm and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The Duster 85 PS RxE Adventure Edition is priced at Rs. 9,16,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Renault India recently launched a limited period campaign called 'Round The Clock'. This initiative which would see its dealerships and service stations across the country, remain open 24 hours a day on the 24th and 25th of May, 2014. The company claims that the response to the campaign has been strong which has prompted it to carry out the next edition of the initiative on the 29th , 30th and 31st of the month.

Under the 'Round the Clock' initiative, Renault car owners could win assured gifts like LCD TVs, smart phones, e-book readers, tablets, camcorders and digital cameras. Customers could also avail of LOW EMI offers, additional 2 years warranty and free roadside assistance for 4 years.

The offer is applicable to select variants of the Scala sedan and Duster SUV.

Renault India is said to be gearing up to launch the four-wheel drive version of the Duster SUV.

According to a report by Car Dekho, the company plans to put the car on sale in the country by the end of 2014. The website claims that Sumit Sawhney, MD and CEO of Renault India, confirmed the plan to launch the car in an interview.

The Duster 4x4 is already on sale in Europe, where it wears a Dacia badge. For UK and Ireland, the Dacia Duster is built in India at the Renault-Nissan factory near Chennai. The 4x4 system uses a Nissan-made drivetrain component manufactured in Romania. The SUV is available with a choice of two four-cylinder engines - 1.6-litre petrol developing 105 bhp and 148 Nm and 1.5-litre, K9K diesel producing 107 bhp and 240 Nm. For India, we expect the later to be used.

The Duster has been Renault's most successful car in India and is responsible for turning around the company's fortunes. Adding the 4x4 version to the range will broaden the vehicle's appeal.   

French carmaker, Renault has produced 1 million units of the Duster SUV globally. This milestone has been achieved in just four years since the car was launched. The one millionth car was made at Renault's Curitiba plant in Brazil and will be delivered to a customer in the same country.

The Duster is sold in more than 100 countries across the world with either a Renault or a Dacia badge. It is one of Renault's more successful cars clocking global sales of more than 3,76,000 units in 2013. In India, the Duster has been responsible for changing the French manufacturer's fortunes.

The Renault Duster is built at 5 factories across the globe -

• Pitesti (Romania) - Builds Dacia-badged cars for Europe, Turkey and Northwest African nations; Renault-badged cars for Middle-East nations, Egypt and other African markets and Gulf countries.
• Curitiba (Brazil) - Builds Renault-badged cars for Brazil and Argentina.
• Envigado (Columbia) - Builds Renault-badged cars for Columbia, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Peru and Central America.
• Moscow (Russia) - Build Renault-badged cars for local market.
• Chennai (India) - Builds Renault-badged cars for local market, Indonesia and South Africa; Dacia-badged cars for UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta.

The Duster's five biggest markets include:

• Russia - 151,633 cars sold since launch
• France - 1,45,612 cars sold since launch
• Brazil - 1,17,303 cars sold since lanch
• India - 85,974 cars sold since launch
• Germany - 70,159 cars sold since launch

Renault India has launched an Adventure Edition of the Duster 110 RxL. The car is priced at Rs. 12,18,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

There Adventure Edition features some cosmetic changes to the exterior as well as the interior to distinguish it from the regular Duster.

At the front there are a pair of smoked headlights and a plastic pseudo bull bar with a pair of auxiliary lights. The side of the car gets a black plastic cladding that runs along its length - over the wheel arches and running board. Plastic cladding has been provided on the doors as well and there is a sticker on the D pillar. At the rear, there is an Adventure sticker pasted on the tailgate. The Adventure Edition gets the same alloy wheels as a regular duster, but with a gun metal finish.

Coming to the interiors, the Adventure Edition features a piano black finish for the centre console and steering wheel of the car. The upholstery and door panels are dark grey and lime green and grab handles are painted in silver.

Mechanically, the Adventure Edition is identical to standard Duster 110.