Renault Duster 4x4 set to lure buyers from Bolero, XUV500 and Safari Storme

Renault India Private Limited (RIPL), a completely owned subsidiary of French multinational auto maker Renault S.A., is believed to be developing a 4x4 model of its much popular Duster model for the domestic car aficionados. The company has tasted immense success with its Duster compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in Indian auto market. Industry experts have affirmed that Renault will lure away buyers from All Wheel Drive (AWD) options available in the market like Tata Safari Storme, Mahindra Bolero and XUV500, with its upcoming Duster 4x4.

The company introduced its Duster to Indian audience in July 2012 and since then, the stylish model has been breaking all the records in terms of advanced bookings and sales numbers in the country. According to various industry sources, the French auto major could launch its new Duster 4x4 variant somewhere around March 2013 in the Indian passenger car market. The news must have alerted the stables of prominent Indian utility vehicle makers like Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Limited and Tata Motors.

Coming to under-the-hood specifications of upcoming Renault Duster 4x4, the uber-cool compact SUV is expected to come fitted with a 1.5 litre petrol engine and a 1.5 Renault K9K turbo engine in its diesel variant. The base model will feature a petrol motor capable of churning out peak power around 90 bhp. Further, the 1.5 litre K9K power-mill installed in diesel trim of Duster will belt out an impressive maximum power output close to 100 bhp and a peak torque delivery of 200 Nm.

The AWD variant of Renault Duster is expected to be launched with an introductory price tag at least Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1 lakh expensive than its 4x2 variant. The 4x4 capability in the yet-to-be launched Duster model will enable it to comfortably confront the likes of Mahindra's Bolero, XUV500 and Tata Safari Storme. Further, Ford India will also launch its EcoSport SUV around the same time of Duster 4x4's arrival in the domestic passenger car market. Hence, some intense fireworks are expected in the compact SUV segment when Duster 4x4 arrives on Indian turf in March 2013.