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In order to improve sales, Renault India is planning to introduce multiple new cars including new-generations and facelifts of existing models. Moreover, the French automaker will introduce two more SUVs and an all-new electric vehicle in the country.
Renault has confirmed that it will introduce a new mid-sized SUV and a new 3-row SUV in the country before the end of FY26. The company will launch the third-generation Duster SUV in the country in the mid-2025. Moreover, a 7-seater iteration of the SUV will arrive in the end of 2025 or early 2026.
Renault has recently started selling the 3rd generation Duster SUV in Turkey; however, the India-spec model will receive different engine options. The new model will be designed and developed on Renault-Nissan alliance's CMF-B modular architecture, which underpins multiple Renault models in global markets.
Nissan will also have its own version of the Duster in our market. The new model retains the overall silhouette of the original Duster; however, design elements are all-new along with generous use of chrome. The styling is inspired by the 7-seater Bigster concept that debuted in 2021.
The cabin will receive massive changes, as it gets a new 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 7-inch digital driver's display. The SUV will also get cruise control, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, all-4 disc brakes, electronic parking brake, wireless smartphone charger and 6-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system.
The new Duster will also receive ADAS tech with features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist and driver attention alert. The global-spec model gets hybrid and mild-hybrid engines; however, the India-spec model will come with petrol powertrains. It is likely to receive a 1.5L NA petrol, a 1.3L turbo petrol and a 1.0L turbo petrol engine. The SUV will also receive an AWD system.
Renault is likely to launch the 3-row version of the Duster SUV to compete with the likes of the Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari and others. It is expected to be the production version of the Dacia Bigster that has already been spotted testing on foreign soil. The SUV will be based on the modified CMF-B modular architecture and will measure over 4.6 meters in length.
The production-version of the Bigster design will be similar to the new-gen Duster SUV, except for the few styling tweaks. As a reference, the new Duster measures 4.34 meters in length. It is most likely to be offered with the 1.3L turbo petrol engine with manual and CVT automatic gearbox options.
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