India-bound Renault Duster Design Leaked

The next-gen Renault Duster’s design has been revealed through patent images ahead of its global debut on November 29. To be revealed as a Dacia first, the third-generation Duster gets a revolutionary design change compared to the previous generations.

Renault Duster Design

The new Duster draws inspiration from the Dacia Bigster Concept, first showcased in 2021. The third-generation Duster gets a slim grille with a heavy, block-like pattern that will house the Dacia/ Renault logos. Furthermore, it will also get a chunky skid plate in the front bumper – possibly finished in silver – flanked by two vertical air intakes. The new Duster will also get Bigster-like Y-shaped lighting elements in the grille. 

In profile, the third-gen Duster has a similar boxy design to the Bigster concept with squared-off wheel arches. Similar to that, it also gets thick body cladding on the lower half of the body as well as the front doors, which extend to the edges of the boxy fenders. Interestingly, the front doors get the conventional-style door handles while the rear ones are likely to be integrated into the C-pillar, as they are not visible in the patent images. 

The rear of the upcoming Duster also has Y-shaped lighting elements like the Bigster concept. It, too, gets an upright tailgate with a steeply raked rear windscreen and a big indentation for the number plate. A big skid plate dominates the rear bumper and the Duster also gets a twin-pod spoiler.

The Duster could also spawn a seven-seater version named the Dacia or Renault Bigster.

Renault Duster Platform, Powertrain, India Launch

The third-gen Duster will be built on the Renault-Nissan CMF-B platform. Globally, it is expected to get three engine options – a 118 bhp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, a 138 bhp, 1.2-litre petrol hybrid and a 167 bhp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine with flex fuel compatibility. It will also likely get a 4x4 drivetrain and a dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

It remains to be seen which of these engine options will make it to the Indian market, as the new Duster is expected to launch in India by 2024 or 2025. When it launches, the Duster will rival other compact SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, Honda Elevate and MG Astor. 

Source: Motor1.com