The new Renault Duster with hybrid engine has an edge over its rivals despite having no diesel engine while the styling also appeals with its butch looks, says Somnath Chatterjee.
The new Duster will go head-to-head with popular models like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, etc in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment.
After a record-breaking year, India's automobile industry is entering 2026 on a relatively strong footing, with sales growth expected in the 6-8 per cent range. The outlook is underpinned by policy support, including GST rationalisation, easing monetary conditions, and income tax relief, which together are likely to improve affordability and sustain consumer demand across vehicle segments.
It is ideal for someone looking to have the practicality of a diesel and the utility of an automatic.
It lacks the finesse of its direct rival, the Hyundai Creta, but otherwise it is fun to drive and power is in abundance too
Renault proffers 2+2 years or 80,000 km warranty on the compact SUV.
The Renault Duster AMT is a compact SUV that offers the best of both worlds - a fantastic ride and handling balance on one side and the ease of driving thanks to an automatic gearbox.
After giving an extreme makeover to popular cars such as Toyota Fortuner and the Mahindra XUV500, DC Design is working on Renault Duster.
The SUV with swanky interiors can you yours for Rs 3.49 lakh, excluding the car price.
Both Ford Ecosport and Renault Duster were unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo held in New Delhi in January.
Whether or not Renault India will be able to fulfill its aim, we'll have to wait and watch.
Duster is expected to bear a 4x2 and 4x4 mechanism apart from the 1.6L, 16-valve petrol engine.
Hyundai to launch its new SUV- Creta in second half of 2015 in India.
The AMT variant comes with a turbo charged diesel engine which produces 108.5bhp@4000 rpm and a peak torque of 245Nm@1750rpm
The automatic variant of the SUV is priced at Rs 11.99 lakh
Scores 0 on front seat protection and 2 stars for rear seat child occupant protection
Car marker leader Maruti Suzuki India is looking at nearly doubling the number of models to 25, including entry into SUV and LCV segments, as it aims a target to sell 3 million cars annually.
The compact SUV's exteriors and fuel efficiency could make it a tough challenger, provided Ford plays its price card well.
The car is a tech savvy like many of its prospective owners.
Stylish SUV Tivoli is all set to take on competition from Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster.
Ford's aggressive pricing makes the compact SUV a better option over popular hatchbacks.
Similar model is sold in UK, where it is offered in petrol as well as diesel models.
Fiat, Maruti, and Tata are all set to drive in their best vehicles.
Though the compact SUV is based on Duster, the company has reworked the interiors and styling.
Elections and festival time in north India helped the Indian auto firm to pip its foreign competitors.
The Stepway will have raised ground clearance, body cladding to add that rugged look and roofrails too.
Television actors Rithvik Dhanjani and girlfriend Asha Negi talk about their big win.
Ford EcoSport is undoubtedly, the most successful launch, the Indian automobile industry has witnessed in 2013.
Compact SUVs have caught fancy of Indian buyers as they have all features of a full-fledged SUV - higher ground clearance, spacious, and high seats.
Renault has added cruise control, speed limiter, rear park assist, and Electronic Stability Control as standard features.
With the launch of Nissan's Terrano, the fight for supremacy in the compact SUV segment hots up.
The hottest cars in the most popular segment.
EcoSport will be offered in four variants in petrol and diesel, mated with automatic transmission for effortless driving.
The VW Taigun made its world premiere in Brazil, and is perhaps a Volkswagen Golf, in emerging markets.
Who says the snarling sports utility vehicle is only for men? Three SUVs battle it out to prove they are worthy of women's attention.
You reach triple digit speed in a breeze.
While some carmakers are lowering their sales targets, Maruti Suzuki DZire, M&M XUV500 and Renault Duster are selling strong.
At the heart of the Duster 1.3 Turbo X-Tronic is a turbocharged engine paired to a 7-speed CVT, the same engine that also powers the Mercedes A-Class, CLA and GLA-Class entry-level models! Now if only Renault had put some thought into the all-new Duster's interiors and driver comfort as they did in the engine... Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com test-drives the old beast with a new heart.
Scorpio's All Wheel Drive variant is the cheapest.
The Nissan Terrano is an upmarket urban SUV which is single-handedly responsible for bringing some much needed footfall to Nissan showrooms
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