Renault Duster All-Wheel Drive launch round the corner

All wheel drive option in compact SUV segment in the country is only availble in high end variants, This time around Renault reportedly has been working on launching an all wheel drive option in its popular Duster fleet in India. The upcoming Renault Duster 4X4 variant is well known as Dacia in the international market. The same variant will be known as Duster in India. After much anticipation and assumptions on the upcoming car, the all new Renault Duster 4x4 is expected to be launched in September this year.

The 4x4 variant of Duster is likely to be priced at about Rs. 1 Lakh extra and may be positioned as a top end variant in the Duster line. The initial variants may be powered by a diesel engine and later the company may introduce petrol engine alternatives. The renault plant located in Chennai is used for shipping its cars to the overseas markets.

The current generation of front wheel driven Renault Duster, is available in Petrol and Diesel variants. The existing diesel variant is available with two diesel engine options. 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 1.6 Litre Petrol engine generates about 104 Hp at 5,850 rpm and produces a maximum torque of 145 Nm at 3,750 rpm. The powerful diesel version of Renault Duster is mated to a six speed manual transmission, whereas the other two Duster variants are mated to a five speed manual transmission.

Post duster 4x4 launch next month, its ais anticipated that Renault may also launch the Lodgy MPV sometime soon next year. Currently, Renault does not have any MPV varinat in India amd with the launch of Lodgy MPV sometime next year. Post launch the Lodgy MPV may help the company gain a strong footing in the Indian market. If reports on dynamics are to be believed, the Lodgy MPV is stated to be a bit longer than Mobilio MPV, but its is said that it might measure shorter than Innova. On pricing front, it is expected that the upcoming stylish MPV may be offered at a lucrative price tag and shall be strategically positioned for the domestic market, thereby meaning that it could be a potential threat for the rest of vehicles in this segment. Renault is likely to bring petrol and diesel variants of the Lodgy MPV in India too much like its counterparts that are on sale in other international markets.