Renault is coming up with innovative methods to promote its new mid-size SUV in India
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay, was recently spotted taking the new Renault Duster for a spin near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Duster is a proven name in our market. In fact, it is credited for being the model responsible for the creation of the mid-size SUV in India back in 2012. Having remained in production for a decade, it was discontinued in 2022. Over these years, many new rivals gained immense popularity, particularly the Hyundai Creta. However, the French auto giant has made a comeback with the updated latest-gen Duster to grab customers away from the competitors.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Drives New Renault Duster on Track
This video stems from Instagram. It captures the Tamil Nadu CM getting into the driver’s seat of the new Renault Duster. As per the information in the post, he takes it out on the track. In fact, the video captures the entire journey and the main highlights of this brief trip. During this ride, he comes across specifically constructed undulations on the road surface, corners to test the handling and manoeuvrability of the car and outright performance. Overall, he looks impressed by how the car behaved.
The Renault Duster will be available with three engine choices – a 1.3-litre Turbo TCe 160, a 1.0-litre Turbo TCe 100 and a 1.8-litre Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160. The range-topping turbo-petrol version delivers a segment-leading 163 PS and 280 Nm of peak torque. Buyers opting for the Turbo TCe 160 will have a choice between a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the Turbo TCe 100 will be offered exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Strong Hybrid E-Tech combines a 1.8-litre petrol engine with a 1.4 kWh battery pack to enhance fuel efficiency, with Renault claiming that it can operate in electric-only mode for up to 80% of city driving. Interestingly, nearly 90% of the Duster’s components have been specifically engineered for the India-spec model. The SUV ranges from Rs 10.49 lakh to Rs 18.69 lakh, ex-showroom.
| Specs | New Renault Duster |
| Engine | 1.3L Turbo TCe 160 / 1.0LTurbo TCe 100 / 1.8L Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 |
| Power | 163 PS / 100 PS / 163 PS |
| Torque | 280 Nm / 160 Nm / 172 Nm |
| Transmission | 6MT / 6DCT |
Editor’s Note
Yatharth Chauhan, Managing Editor
The Renault Duster remains one of the most iconic SUVs to have been sold in India, and the latest-generation model is clearly being positioned as a serious challenger in the fiercely competitive mid-size SUV segment. Renault’s decision to let the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister experience the SUV on a dedicated test track is certainly an unconventional way to build excitement ahead of its launch. More importantly, the new Duster appears to have the right ingredients, including multiple powertrain options, a strong hybrid variant and competitive pricing, to attract both loyal fans and new buyers. Whether it can reclaim its former glory against established rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos will ultimately depend on how it performs in the real world.
Also Read: New Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq – Which New SUV is Better?
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