The new-gen Duster will arrive in India by Diwali 2025 and a seven-seat derivative will follow.
Images of the all-new Renault Duster have leaked online, showing us nearly everything about the India-bound SUV’s exterior. The new-gen midsize SUV, which is set to be revealed in full tomorrow in Portugal, is sold in some international markets by Renault’s sister brand as the Dacia Duster.
- New Duster resembles Bigster concept SUV
- India-bound Duster could get 170hp turbo-petrol engine
- Seven-seat version to be revealed a little later
New Renault Duster design highlights
As the patent images showed, the new Duster has plenty of styling cues borrowed from the Bigster concept though, naturally, the design is toned down, as is the size. Still, the new Duster will be larger than the model that was previously on sale in India, but retain that rugged, chunky styling the SUV was known for.
The Y-shaped LED DRLs in the headlights seem to be nearly connected by the chrome elements on the slim grille, there are vertical air vents in the bumper that flank the circular fog light units, and there’s a large lower grille area that takes the shape of a flattened bull-bar.
You still get the large squared-off wheel arches, roof rails and spoiler from the Bigster, but there’s a design element that links this Duster to its predecessor – the tapering rear quarter glass. In side profile, the new Duster also features a blacked out vertical ‘shadow-line’ below the mirrors, new blacked-out alloy wheels (expected on the top variants) as well as a distinctive kink in the cladding below the rear doors. The sharp V-shaped tail lights make the rear stand out. However, the previous Duster’s prominent rear haunches have been toned down.
New Renault Duster powertrain details
As we’ve been reporting, the new Duster will have three engine options globally – an entry-level 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol; a 140hp, 1.2-litre petrol hybrid; and a 170hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine that’s flex-fuel compliant in the higher trims. With its 170hp output, this will be the most powerful Duster to go into production.
For the Indian market, Renault has spoken about looking at strong hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the new Duster in order to give the SUV the efficiency of a diesel, since that powertrain will not be offer.
New Renault Duster India launch details
We’ve reported earlier that the new Duster will arrive at a Renault India showroom near you by Diwali 2025. It’ll be reentering the ever-growing and fiercely competitive midsize SUV segement where it’ll face off against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Interestingly, the Duster will also form the basis for a seven-seat version, which will likely be called the Bigster, and there’ll be a Nissan version of the Renault midsize SUV too.