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Finally Renault gets a car that does not have to lie under Nissan’s shadow. A car that does not have to watch it’s backside while deciding on product and pricing strategy. A car that establish itself basis its own strength.
A car oops SUV that has been priced to attract Sedan and premium hatch upgrades. Duster offers an SUV product proposition to a a customer profile which is quite similar to the Ertiga’s customer.
Duster’s superior product proposition will surely upset current SUV market leaders.
Renault launched the Duster with 8 variants, 3 power plants and 6 different colours, that’s 48 different variants, which surely is quite unwieldy. And this does not include the 4*4 options which will add to the existing numbers. Whilst, initial novelty factor will drive most consumers to the top-end variant and therefore not pose a problem, however, in the long-term for the car to taste everlasting and perpetual success, it would be prudent on Renault’s part to prune the options.
The 1.6 Ltrs petrol power plant delivers 104 ps peak power and a rotating force of 145 Nm. The 1,5 Ltrs dCi diesel plant is tuned to deliver two different performance figures; 85 ps power with 200 Nm of torque and 110 Ps power with 248 Nm torque.
Like all other car manufacturers the base or starting variant is basically a price warrior. Its role is limited to establish a price point, no wonder it’s been pruned to bare bone basic features so that it can still be called a car.
Whilst we have not driven the 85 Ps Diesel variant, we believe that it might and might just be a tad underpowered. As per us the kerb weight of close to 1300 Kg might just be the spoilsport. The 110 Ps diesel power plant on the other hand could be a great buy as the engine is bound to deliver. The 110 Ps diesel has VGT which is bound to enhance power delivery.
Duster variants are:
RxE and Rxl for petrol
RxE, Rxl and RXl Pack in 85 ps diesel
Rxl, Rxz and RXz Pack in 110 Ps Diesel
Duster 85Ps Rxl Pack offers all features of RxL plus Dual Front Airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, Driver Seat Belt Reminder, Aluminum Alloy Wheels and Reverse Parking Sensor.
Duster 110 Ps RxZ Pack offers all features of RxZ plus Leather upholstery.
Duster comes in 6 colours, these are; Pearl Supreme White, Pearl Galaxy Black, Metallic Moonlight Silver, Metallic Fiery Red and Metallic Woodland Brown. Woodland Brown is a unique colour in cars and it does look quite majestic on the Duster.
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