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Renault and Nissan have had a close partnership in India, famously launching the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano as sibling SUVs earlier. Now, Renault is gearing up to bring its new Bigster SUV to India. Nissan, meanwhile, has announced its own upcoming 7-seater SUV, which will be closely related to the Bigster. Though Nissan has yet to reveal details, we expect both SUVs to share many core elements due to the Renault-Nissan alliance.
The Renault Bigster, recently showcased with the Dacia badge, will be India-bound as Renault’s larger SUV offering. This vehicle is approximately 4.57 metres long – 230mm more than the Duster – with enough room to accommodate three rows of seats. It features a rugged look with thick plastic body cladding, LED headlights and taillights and a bold grille. Bigster’s ground clearance of 220mm is also suited for Indian roads.
Inside, the Bigster offers features such as a digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, powered tailgate and options for ADAS. These features cater to the demands of the Indian market, where technology and comfort are important buying factors.
Nissan’s new SUV, closely based on the Bigster, is expected to share the same platform and engine options, catering to the mid-size 7-seater SUV segment in India. Nissan may introduce unique design elements to differentiate its model, possibly with L-shaped LED DRLs and other distinctive styling cues. Like the Bigster, it’s likely to offer a choice between a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated one, with both manual and CVT automatic transmissions. Hybrid is unlikely.
In India, the Bigster and its Nissan counterpart will compete with models like the Hyundai Alcazar, Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV700. Renault and Nissan reportedly plan to equip these SUVs with features like panoramic sunroofs, dual-zone climate control and premium audio systems. The alliance’s investments in localisation also suggest a high level of feature customisation to suit Indian tastes.
Both SUVs mark a renewed push by Renault and Nissan to regain their foothold in India’s SUV market. With production localised and prices set competitively, the Bigster and its Nissan twin could become popular choices for those looking for spacious and feature-packed 7-seaters.
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