Renault Duster 4x4 - Upcoming power packed compact SUV in India

Renault's Duster 4X4 variant is known as Dacia in the international market. For a while now news has been doing rounds that Renault may usher in the 4x4 variant of Duster in September this year. Renault ships its cars in the overseas market from its manufacturing plant located in Chennai. Initially, it is believed that Renault may first launch the diesel variant and petrol may come later for the Indian market. It is anticipated that the 4X4 variant is may be priced at about Rs. 1 Lakh extra and shall be positioned above the top-of-the-line trim in the Duster range.

The existing fleet of Renault Duster SUV is offered at a starting price tag of about Rs. 7.78 Lakhs (Ex-showroom Delhi). The existing version of Renault Duster is powered by 1.6 Litre Petrol engine and two 1.5 Litre Diesel engine variants. One of the diesel version is powered by 1461cc engine that generates about 85PS of power at 3750 rpm with 200 Nm of torque at 1900 rpm, whereas another diesel version is also powered by 1461cc engine but generates a little extra power of 110 PS at 3900 rpm with 248 Nm of torque at 2250 rpm. The petrol version generates about 104 Hp at 5,850 rpm and produces a maximum torque of 145 Nm at 3,750 rpm. The powerful diesel version is mated to a six speed manual transmission, whereas the other two are mated to a five speed manual transmission.

News has also been doing rounds that Renault may launch the Lodgy MPV sometime next year. The Renault Lodgy MPV shall be the latest upcoming offering from the Renault line-up in the country. The Lodgy is is expected to be longer than Mobilio MPV, but its is said that it might measure shorter than Innova. The suavely designed MPV is expected to be priced aggressively for the domestic market which means it could be a potential threat for the rest of vehicles in its segment. The MPV is already in sale in other international markets, in India the company is likely to bring petrol and diesel variants of the MPV.