South Africa-bound, Indian-made Renault Duster shows itself

2026-01-27 - 06:24

Although unveiled globally three years ago as a Dacia, Renault has removed the wraps from the Indian-made new generation Duster confirmed to arrive in South Africa later this year. Rebadged as a Renault in select European markets where the Dacia brand isn’t sold soon after its launch, the Indian assembled model comes via the brand’s Chennai plant, and differs subtly from the variant made in both Romania and Turkey. Europe vs India These include the dropping of the Dacia corporate Y-shaped LED headlight graphics, a new front bumper with an integrated imitation skidplate and nudge bar, Duster instead of Renault lettering on the grille and wider inlets on the flanks of the bumper itself. ALSO READ: Lofty price in tough segment not doing Renault Duster any favours Mounted on 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels, the aesthetic differences go further as an upwards shoulder line underneath the D-pillar has changed while still retaining the door handles concealed within the C-pillar. At the rear, the Dacia-inspired light cluster remain, but connected via an LED light bar running below the window line. Additional differences is a blackened numberplate cavity and a restyled bumper with an integrated satin silver imitation skidplate. Dimensions Dimensionally, the Duster differs only in width and height from the European version, with the former 1 813 mm versus 1 921 mm, and the latter 1 669 mm compared to 1 661 mm. The 4 343 mm overall length and 2 657 mm long wheelbase measurements are therefore the same, however, ground clearance is slightly higher at 212 mm compared to 209 mm. Claimed boot space is 518-litres or 1 789-litres with the rear seats folded flat. By comparison, the European Duster has between 472 and 1 609-litres of packing space. Inside, the interior has been completely reworked, with the final design and layout leaning more towards to the new Clio and all-electric 5 E-Tech than a Dacia. The biggest is the dashboard, which gains a pair of dual displays; the infotainment system still measuring 10.1-inches, but the instrument cluster available in either seven or 10.25-inches. Also gone are the Dacia Y-shaped air vents replaced by more conventional ones, reportedly improved materials admit much criticism against the ones in the current European-made model, a new central hangdown section below the infotainment system, and restyled centre console. Depending on the trim level, notable features include a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, type-C USB ports, electric and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, an electric tailgate and an Arkamys sound system. Taking care of safety are front and rear parking sensors, a 360° camera system, a minimum of six airbags, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Traffic Sign Recognition, Automatic Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert, Auto High Beam Assist and Lane Departure Warning. Up front, the Duster comes with a choice of three engines, one being a hybrid difference to that of the Europe. Called TCe 100, the base 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol produces 100 PS or 74kW/160Nm. A six-speed manual is the only transmission option available. Familiar to South Africans, the TCe 160 uses the Daimler co-developed 1.3-litre turbo-petrol rated at 160 PS or 118kW/280Nm. Transmissions are either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch EDC as opposed to the current Duster’s seven. Finally, the hybrid combines a normally aspirated 1.8-litre petrol with a 1.4-kWh battery pack powering a pair of electric motors. The result is 80kW/172Nm connected to a four-speed automatic gearbox, which becomes a six-speed when taking into the account the single ratios provided by each of the electric motors. In the biggest departure from the European Duster, the Indian-market version is solely offered with front-wheel drive with no four-wheel drive option being available or planned. Going on-sale later this year, the Duster forms part of Renault’s product expansion of its Chennai plant, which will later include a market specific version of the Boreal spun-off of the Dacia Bigster. As is well-known by now, the Duster will also spawn a rebadged version called the Nisan Tekton, which has been confirmed for South Africa alongside an incoming Nissan version of the Boreal. Teased towards the end of 2024 on local soil before its eventual market release last year, the confirmation then of the Duster being sourced from Romania was only temporary as primary production in India had already been planned. As such, expect pricing to possibly drop once the Indian-made models finally go on-sale later this year. Only then will pricing be announced, though, expect the likely end of the four-wheel drive model as well as the mild-hybrid 1.2-litre turbocharged engine that powers it. NOW READ: Smart new Renault Duster facing a tough battle against rivals