Set to enhance market share in India, Renault will be launching an all wheel drive variant of Duster SUV just ahead of the festive season while two new models to include a small car in the sub INR 4 lakh category and an MPV are in the making. The small car will compete with the likes of Maruti Alto 800 and Datsun Go, while the MPV is set to compete with Honda Mobilio and Maruti Ertiga. This MPV will be in the form of Renault Lodgy, which already has been spotted testing in India.
Renault wishes to increase market share from a current 2.2% to 5% over the next few years and hence plan new offerings in the passenger car segment in India. Duster AWD will be rolled out in September from the company’s plant in Oragadam, Chennai, which is shared with Nissan and has a capacity of 4.80 lakh units per annum. Since launch in 2013, Renault has sold over 100,000 units of Duster.
All Wheel Diver Duster, as the very name suggests, will have an all wheel drive system which will be offered in three modes, two wheel drive, auto and four wheel lock. Each of these can be changed according to requirement. Duster AWD will receive the same 1.5 liter diesel engine capable of 108.5 bhp as seen on board the RxZ variant mated to the same 6 speed manual gearbox. Duster AWD will receive independent multi link suspension, Renault’s Electronic Torque control system and will come in with hill start assist feature and new Eco mode to allow fuel efficiency reduction by 10% thus claiming fuel economy of 19.72 kmph.
Interiors of the Duster AWD will receive a new soft touch dashboard, new instrument cluster and multi information display. Seats will be fabric finished in burnt red while three spoke steering wheel will be leather wrapped. Renault Duster AWD could claim a price of INR 70,000 over the current RxZ top variant when launched.
