When Renault, the Korean manufacturers entered the Indian automotive market, they joined hands with Mahindra & Mahindra and launched a medium sized sedan class car called Logan. This car did not get the reviews or the sales that were expected and hence led to the breaking up of the partnership of the two companies as well. It was then that Renault planned to venture into the Indian market all by itself and opened up a plant in Chennai. It then launched a few vehicles like sedan class car, Fluence and a premium SUV known as Koleos. It also launched a small car Pulse. But Renault still could not get over the failure of Logan and wanted to recreate the image of the company and it was at this time that they realized that Indians loved SUVs but did not buy them as most SUVs were too highly priced.
Keeping this need in mind, the company launched the compact SUV, Renault Duster in July 2012. Priced at an affordable price of Rs. 8 lacs to Rs. 12 lacs, this car created a storm in the Indian automobile market. It became one of the most popular vehicles in the SUV segment and garnered a market share of 23% within the first year of its launch. It became so successful in India and the demand for the car became so high that the company had to increase the production of the vehicle.
This car faced tough competition from other SUVs in the Indian market like Mahindra XUV500 which won the “Best SUV of the year 2012” award and Ford Ecosport. But in spite of all the competition, Renault Duster managed to receive 29 awards within two years of its launch, the most coveted being “Indian Car of the year 2013”. This is one of the most coveted awards in the Indian automotive world and is given on the basis of a number of features of the car like design, performance, qualities, safety, comfort and innovation. The other awards that have been awarded to this compact SUV are:
- Indian Car of the Year(ICOTY): Car of the year
- Bloomberg TV and Autocar: Car of the year, Viewer’s Choice Award, SUV of the year
- NDTV: Car of the Year, Compact SUV of the year
- Top Gear: Car of the year, Reader’s Choice Award
- Car India: SUV of the year
- Over Drive and CNBC 18: Compact SUV of the year
- Vicky.in, Team BHP: Car of the year
- Zigwheels and Economic Times: Car of the year, Entry Level SUV of the year, Reader’s Choice
- AutoJunction.in: Car of the Year, Utility Vehicle of the year
Renault Duster has made the company extremely proud and has enabled it to re-establish its image in the Indian market. Let us take a look at the features which have made the car so popular among the Indian consumers and car enthusiasts:
1. Price: The biggest advantage of this vehicle is the price. Renault has realized the demand for an SUV which is affordable and suits the pockets of the Indian consumers and has priced the vehicle very economically. The base version of the vehicle is available at Rs.7.86 lacs and the higher end version is available at 12.99 lacs which makes it very affordable in comparison to the competitors in the market.
2. Performance: Renault has given three choices of engines to the consumers two of which are diesel engines and the third is a petrol engine. The 1.6 liter petrol engine is capable of producing a maximum power of 102bhp @ 5850rpm and a maximum torque of 145Nm @ 3750rpm. The diesel engine is a 1.5 liter engine of which the smaller one produces a maximum power 84bhp @ 4750rpm and a maximum torque of 200NM @ 1900rpm. The powerful diesel engine produces a maximum power of 109bhp @ 3900rpm and a maximum torque of 248Nm @ 2250rpm. The acceleration of the vehicle is quite good and it can go from 0 to 100kmpl within a matter of 11.8 seconds. All the three engines are very fuel efficient which make them a preferred choice among the Indian consumers given the constant hike in fuel rates.
3. Mileage: The petrol engine delivers a mileage of 13.24kmpl according to the ARAI standards. But on road it delivers a mileage of 12kmpl. The 84bhp diesel engine delivers a mileage of 20.46kmpl and the 109bhp diesel engine delivers a mileage of 19.01kmpl. Thus all the engines are very fuel efficient and thus perfect for the Indian market where the price of the fuel is sky high.
4. Handling, Braking and Safety: The front wheels of Renault Duster have disc brakes and the back wheels have drum brakes which make the braking mechanism in the car extremely effective and efficient. The handling of the vehicle is also very good especially when being driven on a terrain with lots of twists and turns. There are many safety features in the vehicle like air bags for the driver and the passenger sitting in front, ABS and seat belts.
5. Suspension: Duster has the best suspension in its segment and has McPherson style with rectangular lower bone suspension in the front axle and in the rear the suspension is flexible beam and coil springs.
6. Interiors: Renault has been very controlled in the way it has designed the interiors of the SUV and thus has a very conservative look but at the same time it is also very spacious and comfortable. The instrument panel is also very practical and functional and hence very easy to understand. When it comes to comfort of the passengers, there is ample head room and leg room and the passengers on the rear seat have a lot of shoulder room ensuring that they are comfortable. Other features include ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, rear defogger and wiper, AC vents for the passengers on the rear seat and electrically controlled rear view mirror. It also has an impressive boot space of 475 liters.
4. Handling, Braking and Safety: The front wheels of Renault Duster have disc brakes and the back wheels have drum brakes which make the braking mechanism in the car extremely effective and efficient. The handling of the vehicle is also very good especially when being driven on a terrain with lots of twists and turns. There are many safety features in the vehicle like air bags for the driver and the passenger sitting in front, ABS and seat belts.
5. Suspension: Duster has the best suspension in its segment and has McPherson style with rectangular lower bone suspension in the front axle and in the rear the suspension is flexible beam and coil springs.
6. Interiors: Renault has been very controlled in the way it has designed the interiors of the SUV and thus has a very conservative look but at the same time it is also very spacious and comfortable. The instrument panel is also very practical and functional and hence very easy to understand. When it comes to comfort of the passengers, there is ample head room and leg room and the passengers on the rear seat have a lot of shoulder room ensuring that they are comfortable. Other features include ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, rear defogger and wiper, AC vents for the passengers on the rear seat and electrically controlled rear view mirror. It also has an impressive boot space of 475 liters.
7. Exteriors: The muscular and majestic looks of Renault Duster make it an SUV though it’s only 4.3 meter long and perfect for the Indian roads and cramped parking lots. It looks extremely stylish with many details like roof rails, flared wheels, chrome grille in the front, square headlamps and a sculpted rear design. This car has a very modern design on the exteriors which is why it became an instant hit as soon as it was launched in the market.
With these amazing features and specifications, Renault Duster became popular among the Indian consumers and car enthusiasts and thus managed to dust off the competition to win 29 awards within a couple of years of its launch.