Renault India has commenced deliveries of the recently launched Duster E-160 strong hybrid on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. The new Renault Duster Hybrid was recently launched with prices starting at ₹16.99 lakh, going up to ₹19.49 lakh (ex-showroom), and brings an advanced powertrain coupled with high fuel efficiency. The deliveries coincided with the inauguration of Renault’s newest R Store dealership in HITEC City, Hyderabad.
Renault further revealed Hyderabad has emerged as one of the leading cities with respect to bookings for the new Duster Hybrid. While the automaker did not share booking numbers for the hybrid version, it did mention that the tech-first customers of Hyderabad were more open to being early adopters of the hybrid technology. The French automaker has a total of 73 showrooms across 24 cities pan India, of which 30 have been upgraded to the new format R Stores. The company plans to convert all of its showrooms to the new R Stores by July 2027.
Speaking on the occasion, Francisco Hidalgo, VP-Sales & Marketing, Renault Group India, said, “During our planning phase, we set ourselves an ambitious target: to bring the Duster Hybrid to customers in less than a year, in time for the festive season. We are proud to have delivered on that promise, and we begin handing over the Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 to our customers around Diwali. The strong response since launch reflects growing acceptance of hybrid technology in India. Our commitment, however, goes beyond the product. Hyderabad is an important market for us, and with the new'R store we are building a best-in-class buying and ownership journey, so that every customer enjoys the same standard of experience at the showroom and in service as they do behind the wheel.”
The Renault Duster Hybrid E-Tech 160 is powered by a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery pack. The combined output stands at 158 bhp and 208 Nm of peak torque, paired with a multi-mode gearbox. The advanced tech on the hybrid engine sets it apart from even the other hybrid SUVs in the segment. Moreover, the Duster Hybrid is the most fuel efficient SUV in its class with a claimed fuel efficiency of 29 kmpl.
We drove the Renault Duster Hybrid a few weeks ago and came back impressed with the performance, ride quality and handling of the compact SUV. The power delivery, seamless transition from electric to petrol, and a strong surge in power will keep the enthusiast happy. On the other hand, the lack of features, including fog lamps, a 360-degree camera, Level 2 ADAS, and the Google-based infotainment system, left us wanting for more.
