The Renault Duster All-Wheel Drive variant will be launched in India next month. We bring for you all the details about the new variant of the popular Duster.
The new variant has been warming the benches for quite some time. It comes equipped with a an All-Wheel Drive system in place of the Front-Wheel Drive on the regular Duster. The AWD system will allow on-the-fly switching between three different modes. They are :
- Two-Wheel Drive
- Auto
- Four-Wheel Lock
However, the powerplant on the new variant will not be a brand new unit. It will be the familiar 1.5 Liter diesel powerplant used on the RxZ variant of the regular Duster. It will be capable of a maximum of 108.5 horses, and will be mated to the same six-speed manual gearbox used on the regular Dusters.
The other mechanical upgrade will be the inclusion of an all-wheel independent multi-link suspension. The regular Dusters use a non-independent torsion beam setup. Renault will accompany this with their Electronic Torque Control System which will facilitate even distribution of torque between all four wheels. The French carmaker claims this will aid in improving stability at higher speeds.
Other additions will be :
- Hill-Start Assist
- Eco Mode ( which Renault claims will reduce fuel consumption by 10% )
- Cruise Control
Interiors of the new Renault Duster All-Wheel Drive variant will be spruced up too, to distinguish it from the regular Dusters. The list of changes in the interiors will include :
- A new soft-touch dashboard
- A new instrument cluster
- A Multi-Information Display
- A new three-spoke steering wheel wrapped in leather
- New upholstery in a Burnt-Red colour
- New Gear-Shift Indicator
Exterior changes will be less expansive. The new All-Wheel Drive variant will possess tinted headlights and darker alloy wheels similar to the ones offered on the Duster Adventure Edition. There will be an ” AWD “ decal on the lower part of the body, and another similar sticker on the C-Pillar of the vehicle. At the rear, the only change will be the presence of a ” 4WD “ badge on the tailgate.
The Renault Duster All-Wheel Drive variant will possess a premium of around 70,000/- INR over the top RxZ variant of the regular Dusters.
A shout-out to Autocar India for the images!