Renault has officially brought back one of its most recognisable names in India. The all-new Duster has been unveiled in Chennai, marking a major reset for Renault under its International Game Plan 2027. And this wasn’t a quiet reveal. Over 15,000 fans, long-time owners and members of the Gang of Dusters community turned up at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, underlining the emotional connect the SUV still enjoys.
Built for India, Not Adapted Later
The new-generation Duster is based on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), engineered with Indian driving conditions at the core. Nearly 90 per cent of the components are India-specific, with testing carried out in temperatures ranging from –23°C to 55°C, high-altitude conditions up to 18,379 feet and endurance cycles crossing one million kilometres.
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The platform is designed to meet five-star safety norms and is future-ready, supporting multiple powertrains, advanced electronics and Google-based infotainment systems.
Three Powertrains, Including a Strong Hybrid
Renault is offering the Duster with three engine options. The Turbo TCe 100 serves as the entry-level petrol with a six-speed manual gearbox. Sitting above it is the Turbo TCe 160, delivering 163 PS and 280 Nm, available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed wet-clutch DCT developed specifically for Indian traffic.
The headline act, however, is the Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160. Making its India debut, it pairs a 1.8-litre petrol engine with a 1.4 kWh battery. Renault claims that in city conditions, the SUV can run in electric-only mode for up to 80 per cent of the time, focusing on efficiency without sacrificing performance.
Still a Proper Duster Off the Road
Despite the tech upgrade, the Duster hasn’t lost its rugged DNA. It offers 212 mm of ground clearance, approach and departure angles of 26.9° and 34.7° respectively, and rides on 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. With a length of 4,346 mm and a wheelbase of 2,657 mm, it also boasts a generous 700-litre boot.
Fresh Design, Fighter-Jet Inspired Cabin
On the outside, the new Duster gets a trapezoidal grille, full-LED headlamps and tail lamps, a horizontal rear light bar, chunky cladding and subtle yellow accents on the badging. Inside, the layout is inspired by fighter jets, with a raised centre console, electronic shifter and physical buttons retained for commonly used controls.
The cabin features Mountain Jade leatherette upholstery with yellow stitching, carbon-finish dashboard inserts and metallic highlights. Comfort features include ventilated, six-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, panoramic electric sunroof, electric parking brake with auto-hold and an electric tailgate.
Tech, Safety and Connected Features
Tech highlights include a 10.1-inch OpenR Link touchscreen with Google built-in, offering native Google Maps, Assistant and Play Store access, paired with a 10.25-inch digital driver display with map replication. Renault’s MYR app supports over 60 connected features.
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Safety gets a major boost with 17 ADAS functions, hill descent control and 35 standard safety features. Drive modes like Eco, Comfort and Perso allow drivers to customise throttle response, steering and ambient lighting, with preferences saved via Google profiles.
Booking, Launch Timeline and Warranty
Customers can pre-book the new Duster through an R Pass priced at Rs. 21,000. Prices will be announced in mid-March. Petrol variants are scheduled for delivery from April 2026, while the Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 is expected to arrive around Diwali 2026.
Renault is backing the SUV with a warranty of up to seven years or 1,50,000 km under its Renault Forever programme.
