New-gen Renault Duster will be launched on 26th January, whereas Nissan Tekton is expected in the second quarter of CY26
Renault Duster will soon be back in India in its 3rd-gen format, featuring sportier styling, upgraded equipment list and new powertrain options. This time, Duster will be accompanied by a sibling in the form of Nissan Tekton. While sharing parts and powertrains, both SUVs will have distinctive styling, catering to varying tastes and preferences. Ahead of their launch, the new Duster and Tekton have been spied together on road tests by automotive enthusiast Bharath Trivedi.
Duster and Tekton – Design, features
The test mule in white camo is the Duster while the one in Blue is Tekton. Built on the CMF-B platform, the new Duster and Tekton have the same basic silhouette. The tight-fitting camouflage does a good job in revealing similarities across the beltline, window design, gently sloping roofline, prominent roof-mounted spoiler with stop lamp, a raked windshield and the exhaust. Ground clearance of both SUVs appears largely the same as well.
However, if the camo is unwrapped, one would notice that both SUVs have entirely different exterior profiles. Everything from the lighting elements to the grille and front and rear bumpers have a distinctive design. New-gen Duster has standout features such as the Y-shaped DRLs and tail lamps, whereas Nissan Tekton has C-shaped lighting elements at the front and rear.
Side profile is likely to see a different design for the alloy wheels for both SUVs and a distinctive door trim. Other features such as wheel arches, C-pillar mounted rear door handles and dual-tone ORVMs with integrated turn indicators will be the same for both SUVs. Some exclusive colour options could be offered with the new-gen Duster and Nissan Tekton.
Interiors, equipment list
New-gen Duster and Nissan Tekton will have largely the same equipment list. Interiors will be modern and tech-focused, all while ensuring a high level of practicality and functionality. Users can expect a quieter cabin, made possible with improved noise insulation. Both SUVs will have a spacious cabin and plenty of storage spaces. Other expected features include automatic AC, dual-zone climate control, electric parking brake, wireless charger, keyless entry, premium upholstery and premium audio system.
Since the new-gen Duster and Nissan Tekton will be entering a highly competitive SUV segment in India, there can be some showstopper features exclusively for our market. For context, an earlier test mule of the new-gen Duster was seen with a triple-screen dashboard layout. Another one was spotted recently with a powered tailgate. Such premium features could act as a strong draw for buyers.
New Duster and Tekton will also have a comprehensive safety kit. It will include features such as 6 airbags, electronic stability program (ESP), traction control, hill start assist, hill descent control, front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, 360° view camera and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). A range of ADAS Level 2 features will also be available.
Powertrain options
New-gen Renault Duster and Nissan Tekton will share the same powertrain options. Initially, there will be a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine on offer. At a later stage, strong hybrid and CNG options will also be introduced. AWD is also reportedly going to be on offer. More details will be revealed on 26th Jan, when the new Renault Duster makes India debut.
