Renault’s Facelifted Duster Is Now BS6 Compliant... But With Many Sacrifices

The BS6 base RXE variant is now priced at a premium of Rs 50,000 over its BS4 counterpart. The BS6 RXS variant gets a smaller price hike of Rs 10,000. The new top-end RXZ variant is priced similarly to the RXS option variant. 

However, this update has come with some sacrifices. The Duster is no longer equipped with a CVT transmission or an all-wheel drivetrain option. This means the Duster is now a front-wheel-drive SUV paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Power figures remain unchanged for the 1.5-litre petrol despite the BS6 upgrade at 106PS of power and 142Nm of torque. 

The facelifted Duster, launched back in July 2019, received cosmetic updates such as new projector headlamps, LED DRLs, a redesigned front grille, new roof rails, and new alloy wheels. Inside, it gets different upholstery, new steering wheel, and an updated 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice recognition, EcoGuide,  and an Arkamys sound system. Safety features such as dual airbags, ABS, parking sensors, and speed warning are offered as standard on all variants. It is also compliant with BNCAP front, side and pedestrian crash norms as well as the safety features stipulated by Indian laws.

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Renault has more in store for the Duster SUV, as it looks to fill the void left by the demise of the diesel engine with the Duster Turbo it unveiled at Auto Expo 2020. It features a 1.3-litre TCe turbocharged petrol motor that puts out 156PS of power. Expect the Duster Turbo to debut in India by August 2020. In the meantime, the Duster takes on the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Nissan Kicks, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, and Ford Ecosport.