Renault has released the first teaser image of the upcoming Duster facelift. The image reveals the car's headlamp cluster and redesigned grille that has chrome inserts.

Last month, a test mule of the Duster facelift was caught completely undisguised. As per the images, the SUV is likely to get a new chrome grille and projector headlamps. It could get a dual-tone front bumper with trapezoidal fog lamp pods. At the rear, the updated Duster is expected to get a black plastic cladding on the tail gate and dual-tone bumper with a silver insert. It could get ORVMs with integrated turn signals, roof rails and dual-tone alloy wheels. 

The new Duster is expected to get updated interiors with a new steering wheel and an upgraded infotainment system.

Under the bonnet, the Duster facelift could get the same 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines as the outgoing model. Transmission options might include a 6-speed manual and an AMT for the diesel, while the petrol engine could get a 5-speed manual and a CVT option.

According to a media report, the third-generation Renault Duster will not be offered with a diesel engine option. Instead, the SUV is likely to get a petrol engine only.

It has been reported that the third-generation Duster will be designed and engineered in India. It is expected to be launched sometime around 2023. The new model could be offered with smaller capacity turbocharged engines with transmission options including manual, automatic / CVT. Reports suggest that the new model is likely to be designed to support hybrid or maybe even electric powertrains as well.

According to media reports, Renault is likely to stop selling diesel cars in India from April 2020, when BS-VI emission norms kick in. At present, the Duster is offered with two diesel and one petrol engine option. These include a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel in two states of tune - 84 BHP and 108 BHP, and a 105 BHP 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol. 

Source: NDTV

More images of the Renault Duster facelift have surfaced online. The latest set of spy images reveal the car's interior.

The spy images suggest that the Duster facelift is likely to get updated interiors. It has a new dashboard with silver inserts and a blue strip on the passenger side that matches the exterior colour. The air-conditioning vents and the instrument cluster get chrome surrounds. The centre console appears to be finished in piano black and it houses a touchscreen infotainment system. The air-conditioning vents in the centre are rectangular as opposed to the circular units on the current model. The seats are finished in brown fabric upholstery. Tweeters are present on the A-pillars.

The Duster facelift comes with a new 3-spoke, multi-function steering wheel that has piano black and silver inserts. It has a 3-pod instrument cluster with the MID on the right side. This particular test car is also equipped with electric ORVMs and a front centre armrest.

The new Duster is expected to be offered with BS-VI compliant 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, while transmission options might include a 5-speed manual (petrol), 6-speed manual, CVT (petrol) and AMT.

Source: Throttle-Blips

The first uncamouflaged spy images of the Renault Duster facelift have surfaced online. The latest images reveal all the changes made to the SUV.

The Duster facelift is based on the current generation model. However, it borrows some styling cues from the second generation model that is already on sale in Europe. It has a 3-slat chrome grille with a large Renault logo in the centre. It appears to have projector headlights with chrome inserts. The dual-tone front bumper has trapezoidal fog lamp pods with circular fog lamps and a chrome strip. The bumper has a grey insert around the air dam and a skid plate.

At the rear, the Duster facelift looks identical to the current model, except for the black plastic cladding on the tailgate. It has a dual-tone rear bumper with a silver insert with the reverse light positioned on the right-hand side corner. The tail lamp clusters appear to be unchanged. The SUV also has ORVMs with integrated turn signals, roof rails and new design dual-tone alloy wheels.

Reports suggest that the Duster facelift is likely to be offered with a BS-VI compliant 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 108 BHP and 245 Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol unit that makes 105 BHP and 142 Nm of torque. Transmission options might include a 6-speed manual and an AMT, while the petrol engine could get a 5-speed manual and a CVT option. The 84 BHP version of the 1.5-litre diesel is expected to be discontinued.

Source: Team Duster India TDI / Facebook

In 2017, BHPian PetaWatt had filed a case in a consumer court against Renault after he was delivered an orange Duster instead of a green car he had booked. Now, the court has passed a judgement in favour of the complainant.

He had visited Renault Whitefield showroom on September 23, 2017 and paid the booking amount for a green Duster. The dealer promised to deliver the car on September 28, 2017. Expecting a new car at the time, the customer sold his existing vehicle on September 24, 2017. However, when he contacted the dealership the next day, he was informed that the green car was sold to somebody else and he would have to wait at least 1 month for another car or pick a different colour. Due to personal issues, he was forced to accept the SUV in a colour he did not like. After taking delivery, he filed a complaint against Renault with the consumer court.

On April 26, 2019 the consumer court passed a judgement in favour of the complainant. According to the judgement, Renault has been directed to replace the orange car with a green car, pay the customer Rs. 10,000 for the mental agony caused and Rs. 5,000 towards litigation expenses. The company has also been directed to replace packages like insurance, add-on insurance, road tax, registration tax, delivery charges, standard accessories, and extended warranty of the orange car with the packages of the green car.

The court observed that there has been a deficiency in service on the part of Renault. They have been given 60 days to comply.

According to a media report, Renault will not launch the second generation Duster in India.

The second generation Duster was developed by Renault's Romanian subsidiary for the Easter European market. It based on the a modified version of the B0 platform. The SUV was designed to meet European regulations and is therefore seen as unfeasible for the Indian market. 

Reports suggest that the third generation model is likely to be designed and engineered in India. Development of the third-gen Duster could begin around the second half of 2020, with its launch expected sometime after 2023.

In the meantime, Renault is expected to introduce updates to the current Duster in India. The SUV is likely to receive a facelift along with interior updates including a new touchscreen infotainment system. The Duster will be updated to meet the new crash safety regulations and is also expected to get features such as dual airbags and ESC.

In India, the Duster is available with three engine options - 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine which comes in two states of tune - 84 BHP and 108 BHP and a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol unit producing 105 BHP. These are expected to be upgraded to meet BS-VI emission regulations.

Source: NDTV

Renault has started testing an updated version of the Duster in India. The SUV is likely to receive BS-VI compliant engines and all the safety features that are expected to be mandatory to meet upcoming safety norms.

The spy images suggest that the new Duster is likely to look similar to the current model. According to a media report, it could get a slightly tweaked front end with a new grille and headlamps with LED daytime running lights as well as a redesigned bonnet to meet pedestrian safety norms that are scheduled to come into effect from April 1, 2020. The SUV is also likely to get new roof rails and a sunroof. Additionally, the car is likely to come with updated interiors and a new touchscreen infotainment system.

The report claims that Renault might discontinue the 84 BHP version of the Duster's 1.5-litre diesel engine, while the 108 BHP version is expected to be upgraded to meet BS-VI emission regulations. The Duster's 105 BHP 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine is also likely to be upgraded to comply with BS-VI norms. Renault could offer the diesel version of the Duster with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed AMT and the petrol version with a CVT and a 5-speed manual transmission.

The second-generation Duster has been launched in Europe. However, Renault has no plans to introduce it in India at present.

Source: Autocar India

According to a media report, the Renault Kwid will get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity options on the top-end variant. Deliveries of the new cars are expected to commence from February 12, 2019.

The updated Kwid was launched in August 2018. Apart from minor exterior updates, the new model currently comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that has Bluetooth, USB and Aux-In but does not offer smartphone connectivity. Other notable additions include a rear view camera and a 12V socket for the rear seat occupants. With new safety regulations on the horizon, features like ABS and rear parking sensors are expected to be offered as standard across all variants.

Reports suggest that smartphone connectivity options will soon be available across Renault's full product range, including the Duster, Captur and Lodgy. 

Source: NDTV

According to a media report, Renault has temporarily halted the production of the Duster 85PS. It has been reported that dealerships are no longer taking bookings for the model as no cars are being produced for the past 2 months due to supply chain constraints. It is said that production will resume as soon as the supply chain comes back on track.

The Renault Duster is offered with three engine options - a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol which makes 105 BHP @ 5,600 rpm and 142 Nm of torque @ 4,000 rpm and is paired with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed CVT. The 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel comes in two states of tune - 84 BHP @ 3,750 rpm and 200 Nm @ 1,750 rpm mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and 108 BHP @ 4,000 rpm and 245 Nm @ 1,750 rpm paired with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed AMT.

Reports suggest that while there is a lack of demand for the entry-level diesel model, sales of the petrol and diesel AMT versions have increased. Together, these make up 70% of the total Duster sales.

Renault is reportedly managing its inventory of the Duster petrol but hasn't halted the production of the model completely. Currently, there is a waiting period of more than 2 months for this model.

Source: NDTV

Two brand new Renault Duster SUVs were recently stolen by two company employees from the Renault-Nissan plant near Chennai. The duo forged gate passes and swapped number plates from two used cars before driving away with the new SUVs.

According to a media report, the culprits had access to new vehicles as they were responsible for testing them for mechanical issues before they were dispatched to dealerships. With forged gate passes and fake number plates, they could take the cars out of the yard and park them in the staff parking lot. 

During the interrogation, the duo said that they knew the guards would only make a note of the license plate, which made it easy for them to enter the premises in two old vehicles with fake plates, put the plates on two new cars and leave the premises. 

The incident came to light on January 22, 2018, when company officials discovered that two vehicles were missing from the yard.

The police have arrested P Marimuthu alias Mohamed Asharaf and M Arun Kumar, while they were trying to sell one of the vehicles. Both were working as technicians at the plant for more than 7 years. One of the SUVs was sold to a buyer for Rs. 6 lakh. Both SUVs have been recovered.

Source: TOI