Renault South Africa has officially unveiled an update of the new-generation Duster, now manufactured and imported from India, with some telling design changes, upgraded technology, improved ride comfort and safety, and compelling pricing (now starting from R339,999 and going up to R499,999) compared to the previous Romanian-sourced model range retailing for up to R150,000 more.
The latest Renault Duster derivatives from India – like the preceding Romanian models riding on the CMF-B platform – revert to petrol power only and lose 4WD, shifting the range to strictly light-duty off-road capability. Originally introduced in 2010 (in South Africa in October 2013), the Duster has proven extremely popular, with more than 2.8 million sold worldwide and over 26,000 locally.
This is reflected by the Duster name now taking pride of place on the front grille, replacing the Renault lettering of its predecessor. Other changes include LED lighting up front and rear with a less intricate light signature than before, a neater side panel behind the front wheels replacing the less-than-elegant plastic vertical side strip, robust front and rear skid plates, and a horizontal rear light bar.
Inside, the Duster’s cabin now features a modern, driver-centric cockpit with dual OpenR Link displays, an elevated centre console, ventilated and electrically adjustable front seats, more premium trim materials, a panoramic sunroof, automatic dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and an electric-powered tailgate on the flagship Iconic model.
The 10.1″ OpenR Link infotainment system features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity and access to additional features. There are four trim levels – Evolution, Techno, Techno+ and Iconic – and higher specification models further benefit from a 10.25″ digital driver display, wireless smartphone charging and an elevated audio experience.
Four driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Perso/My Sense, and Sport), plus steering settings, are available via the multi-sense driving system, and the Duster still offers impressive practicality, with a boot capacity of up to 518 litres, extending to 1,789 litres with the rear seats folded.
PETROL ONLY, NO AWD
As with the pre-facelifted Romanian-sourced range, the latest Duster is available with a choice of turbocharged petrol engines but no diesel, mild-hybrid alternatives or an all-wheel-drive version. The entry-level Evolution is available with either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol (74 kW and 160 Nm of torque) or a 1.3-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol (now delivering 116 kW and 260 Nm), coupled with a six-speed manual transmission.
The Techno, Techno+ and Iconic derivatives all feature the 1.3-litre turbo engine mated with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with e-shifter and paddle shifters on selected derivatives. The suite of safety and driver-assistance features has been enhanced, and all derivatives come standard with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring and a rear-view camera.
The high specification models offer up to 17 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keep Assist, Active Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert, front, rear and side Parking Assist, 360-degree Around View Camera and automatic High/Low Beam Assist.
The launch route in the Western Cape included some twisty rural and dirt roads, and the new Duster (in top-line Iconic guise with 18″ tyres and black alloy wheels) with 212 mm ground clearance impressed with its ride quality and handling balance on tarmac and gravel. With peppy performance from the small turbo engine, it also never felt underpowered, although we suspect the 1.0-litre mill in the Evolution may struggle at altitude.
LAST WORD
Although now keenly priced to take on the ever-growing competition from China, the Duster has lost the unique selling points (diesel power and all-wheel-drive) that made it stand out from the crowd. The huge price drop will also affect resale value, although Renault promised fair trade-in prices. Even so, the new Duster has now lost some of its technical edge over its competitors in this segment, and this is unfortunate, as off-road prowess at an affordable price used to be this Dacia-inspired SUV’s strongest raison d’être.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © RENAULT SOUTH AFRICA
