In April 2013, DC Design unveiled its heavily customised Renault Duster model. It was fair to say that the country's best selling Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) had just got better. DC Design, India's top automobile design firm, offers a complete customisation package for the Duster at Rs. 3.49 lakh, for which it redesigns front appearance, paints the body in a matte black finish and transforms interior cabin of the SUV into an executive class aircraft.
So it raises the question, would a buyer buy a more powerful SUV like Mahindra XUV500 or the transformed luxury DC designed Duster compact SUV. The answers depends on the owner's need and vehicle's use as those looking for real power would go for XUV500, while the ones who find looks and comfort more important than performance could have their answer in the luxurious Duster.
DC Design has given a highly futuristic transformation to the Renault Duster and the new model can beat any model available in the country, in terms of style statement and on-road presence. The redesigned front fascia of the vehicle secured rave reviews from the entire automobile fraternity. The big scoring points of the DC modelled Duster include sleek LED treatment on the black painted front grille, vertically positioned head lamps and fog lamps on the bumper. The side profile looks premium in black matte finish and puts the customised Duster at par with other high end SUV models available in the market. Overall the customised Renault Duster looks sportier, meaner and much more aggressive than the normal model.
The interiors of customised Duster tell a totally different story and can put exorbitantly priced luxury saloons to shame, in terms of premium feel and character. There is absolutely no match to the final outcome of the work and efforts that DC designers have put into the customisation of this compact SUV. The extravagantly designed interior setting of the customised Duster features wood finished panels along the dashboard, doors and centre of the roof. The seats can be lowered and the passengers can recline comfortably, just like the first class seats of an aircraft. For entertainment inside the cabin, a personal infotainment system and a laptop/food tray have been provided in the customised Duster.
Coming back to the question- premium 'looking' SUV or a premium SUV, it is evident that answer is subjective. At a convincing price of Rs. 3.49 lakh, DC Design's customisation package for the Renault Duster SUV seems like a great catch. However, the bold looks and luxurious interiors might fail to lure the performance oriented buyers, who look towards owning a powerful 4x4 off-roading capable SUV, a characteristic that is absent in customised Duster.
