Renault India has launched the Duster Adventure Edition at prices starting from Rs. 9.64 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It will be available in three variants - RXE 85 PS, RXL 85 PS and RXZ AWD 110 PS. Renault had introduced a similar Adventure Edition model in 2014 for the pre-facelift Duster, while the new one is based on the facelifted Duster that was launched in March 2016.

On the outside, the Anniversary Edition gets a new front bumper that houses an extra pair of fog lamps, a blacked out grille, black cladding on the wheel arches, and yellow skid plates and roof rails. It also gets new alloy wheels and some decals on the D-pillar. The model will be available in 4 colour options – Pearl White, Moonlight Silver, Outback Bronze and Slate Grey.

The interiors of the Anniversary Edition too have been given some added differentiation in the form of denim blue fabric upholstery, floor mats, and yellow inserts around the AC vents and instrument cluster pods. The leather wrapped steering wheel also gets some contrasting yellow stitching.

Variant wise prices of the 2016 Renault Duster Anniversary Edition are:
• Adventure Edition RXE 85 PS - Rs. 9.64 Lakh
• Adventure Edition RXL 85 PS - Rs. 10.45 Lakh
• Adventure Edition RXZ AWD 110 PS - Rs. 13.77 Lakh

All prices are ex- showroom Delhi.

Renault has teased the Russia-bound Kaptur crossover that is expected to be revealed towards the end of March 2016. The 4x4 crossover will be produced at Renault's plant in Moscow and the model has been designed to cater to the needs of emerging markets. While Renault has not released a list of destination markets for the Kaptur, it is believed that India could be one of them.

While the name is similar to the Captur CUV sold in Europe, it is believed that this is more than just a rebadged version of the Captur. The Captur is based on the same platform as the Renault Clio and is offered only with front wheel drive, while the Kaptur is expected to share its underpinnings with the Duster and will offer all-wheel drive.

The Kaptur is expected to get a longer wheelbase than the Captur as well and may come with the option of a third row of seats. Specific details are only speculative and reports suggest the model could get the TCe 90 and TCe 120 turbo-petrol units and the 1.5L dCi/K9K oil-burner.

The Kaptur is expected to go on sale in markets like Russia and Brazil before reaching Indian shores, possibly in 2017.

Renault recently introduced the Duster with an AMT. The new gearbox is offered as an option with the 1.5L diesel engine in its 108 BHP / 245 Nm state of tune and is available only with two-wheel drive. Renault has already confirmed its plans to introduce an AMT variant of the Kwid hatchback and now, the Lodgy MPV may get a variant with an automated manual transmission as well.

According to the report by NDTV, Renault will introduce an 'Easy-R' variant with a 6-speed AMT for the 108 BHP Lodgy. The Lodgy and Duster are based on the same platform and share powertrains as well. The addition of the AMT gearbox will give the Lodgy a much needed differentiating factor as there is a lack of a diesel automatic MPV in the market.

The Ertiga does get the option of an automatic, but it's only offered with the petrol engine, and while the Innova Crysta will get a diesel automatic, it is expected to get a heftier price tag than the outgoing model, which only gets a 5-speed manual gearbox and is already more expensive than the Lodgy. In a way, Renault could give the Lodgy the same advantage over the Innova that the Duster AMT has over the Hyundai Creta AT - a more affordable price point.

Renault may also be looking to take advantage of the Innova's expected price rise to tap into the fleet operator market. The Innova has been the fleet operators' workhorse of choice, but with the prices expected to rise, Renault may launch taxi market-centric versions of the Lodgy that will be cheaper than the current model. These variants will offer the bare minimum in terms of features, have a limited range of colours and may have different plastics and fabrics on the inside to cut production costs.

Renault has launched the facelifted Duster in India. The vehicle is priced between Rs. 8.47 lakh - Rs. 13.57 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Changes to the Duster's exterior include new headlamp clusters and fog lamps, a redesigned front grille, new roof rails, ORVMs which can be electrically adjusted and retracted, reworked tail lamp clusters and restyled bumpers with larger skid plates. The vehicle also gets redesigned 16-inch 'gun metal' finish alloy wheels. Additionally, Renault has introduced a new colour for the car - Cayenne Orange.

On the inside, the Duster gets a crimson-black theme with double spacer fabric for the AWD variant, and a cedarwood-black theme with embossed fabric for the other variants. The vehicle also gets a dual tone soft touch dashboard and a tweaked centre fascia.

The Duster comes equipped with features such as automatic climate control, a rear view camera with guidelines, an auto up/down driver-side window with anti-pinch function and a new Media Nav touchscreen infotainment system. Safety features include ABS, EBD, dual airbags, ESP and hill start assist.

The refreshed Duster continues to be powered by the same 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines as the outgoing model. The petrol engine is a 4-cylinder unit that puts out 103 BHP @ 5,750 rpm and 148 Nm of torque @ 3,750 rpm. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The diesel engine is available in two states of tune - 84 BHP @ 3,750 rpm & 200 Nm of torque @ 1,750 rpm (5-speed manual gearbox) and 108 BHP @ 4,000 rpm & 245 Nm of torque @ 1,750 rpm (6-speed manual gearbox).

Renault is now offering a 6-speed "Easy-R" automated manual transmission (AMT) with the 1.5-litre, 108 BHP engine. As earlier, the 1.5-litre, 108 BHP version of the Duster is available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. However, the AMT gearbox is available only on the front-wheel drive version.

Bookings for the new Duster are now open and given below are the variant-wise (ex-showroom, Delhi) prices:

Petrol 4x2 MT

• RXE - Rs. 8,46,999
• RXL - Rs. 9,26,999

Diesel 85 PS 4x2 MT

• Standard - Rs. 9,26,999
• RXE - Rs. 9,46,999
• RXL - Rs. 10,26,999
• RXS - Rs. 10,76,999
• RXZ - Rs. 11,46,999

Diesel 110 PS 4x2 MT

• RXL - Rs. 11,06,999
• RXZ - Rs. 12,26,999

Diesel 110 PS 4x2 AMT

• RXL - Rs. 11,66,999
• RXZ - Rs. 12,86,999

Diesel 110 PS 4x4 MT

• RXZ - Rs. 13,56,999

Check out Team-BHP's report on the Duster Facelift here.

Renault presented the automated manual transmission (AMT) equipped Duster facelift at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo. The 6-speed AMT will be offered only with the Duster 110 PS and according to a report by Autocar India, Renault will launch the variant around the end of March this year.

The Renault Duster facelift receives a host of updates including reworked headlamp and tail light internals, a new front grille, new roof rails, new wing mirrors and new alloy wheels. On the inside, the car gets a few tweaks to the ORVM and air-conditioner switches, an updated steering wheel along with a tweaked centre fascia and centre console. 

While these updates will breathe some new life into the Duster, the "Easy-R" AMT gearbox will give the compact SUV the much needed option of an automatic. Since AMTs do come with inherent cost benefits, all eyes will be on the price premium over the manual variant.

All you need to know about the Renault Duster Facelift is at this link. Renault said that the facelift has 32 changes; I believe we found more :). 

Renault has been testing a facelifted version of the Duster in India. The car has been spotted once again and this time, the spy shots reveal a little more of the vehicle's interiors.

The images suggest that the refreshed Duster will carry over parts such as the steering wheel and dashboard from the current model. However, it will get a new centre console that has a similar design to the one on the Brazilian-spec Duster. It is a single-piece unit that has a cubby hole, round air-conditioner vents, a touchscreen infotainment system and the hazard light & other switches.

The exteriors of the car are likely to feature redesigned headlights, a reworked grille, LED tail lamps and tweaked front and rear bumpers. Higher variants are likely to get new alloy wheels as well.

The facelifted Duster is expected to use the same engines (1.5-litre 84 / 108 BHP diesel, and 1.6-litre, 103 BHP petrol) as the current model. The 1.5-litre, 108 BHP diesel engine is likely to be available with a 6-speed automated manual transmission alongside a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Renault is expected to display the facelifted Duster at the 2016 Auto Expo.

Source: Overdrive

Renault is expected to introduce the facelifted version of the Duster crossover in India in 2016. Media reports suggest that the car will be displayed at the Auto Expo in February 2016.

The refreshed Duster is likely to get a redesigned, single slat grille, tweaked headlamp clusters, reworked front bumper, redesigned alloy wheels and new tail lamps.

On the inside, the crossover is expected to get a redesigned instrument cluster, a new multifunction steering wheel and new seat fabric among others. The car is likely to carry over features such as the optional MediaNAV touchscreen infotainment System with navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. 

The facelifted Duster is expected to use the same 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre, diesel engines as the current model. While the manual transmission will be carried over, the car is also likely to get an automated manual transmission (AMT). Renault uses the term Easy-R for its AMT.

Source: Car and Bike, Auto NDTV

Renault India is planning to launch a range of utility vehicles in India. The French automaker saw immense success with the Duster and has attempted to replicate the SUV's traits with the Kwid. Now, Renault plans to expand its utility vehicle line-up and offer multiple models in different price brackets.

Speculated to be on the list is a rival to the XUV500, codenamed the HHA, which may be revealed in 2017. The SUV will be a derivative of the Renault Captur, which itself was supposedly on its way to India in 2018. Like the Hyundai Creta and Mahindra XUV500, the HHA will capitalize on the decreasing popularity of D-segment sedans - a phenomenon that has already made the Fluence its victim (apart from Renault's lack of interest in promoting it). The SUV is likely to see a lot of part sharing with the Lodgy and Duster, enabling cost savings, helping Renault price it competitively.

In addition to the HHA, an MPV and SUV based on the CMF-A platform are expected to be on their way. These models could be priced in the 5-10 lakh bracket. It is likely that one (if not both) of these models will be a sub-4 metre offering.

The Renault Duster, which established the brand in India has seen its market share drop of late. In order to tackle the pressure from Hyundai, Ford and Mahindra, Renault will be bringing in the facelifted Duster, with the launch possibly taking place at next year's auto expo.

Source: ET Auto

Renault India has plans to increase the localisation of the Duster crossover from 70% to 80%. This step is expected to help the company keep the price of the vehicle and cost of maintenance low, which in turn, should help keep buyers interested in it.

Renault launched the Duster in India more than three years ago. The car has enjoyed a good run in the market and has been the company's best-selling model in the country. More than 1,30,000 units of the car have been sold since it was launched.

However, with the launch of mode modern vehicles like the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, the sales of the Duster have been on the decline. In the period April-August 2014, Renault managed to sell 16,216 units, while in the period April to August 2015, only 7,560 units were sold. In August 2014, 3,101 units of the Duster were sold, but during the same month in 2015, the company managed to move only 1,109 units - a drop of 64%.

Renault is also in the process of expanding its sales and service network. It plans to have 205 outlets by the end of 2015 and 280 by the end of 2016. The company wants to command a market share of 5% by 2017.

Source: Autocar Professional