1.2-litre turbocharged engine powering facelifted Renault Duster detailed

When Renault/Dacia launched the facelifted Duster at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show it showed a new variant which was powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine but did not provide any details on the engine. Now the details are out and it seems Renault too will be following the same path as Ford’s award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. 

The 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine has been tuned to produce 123.3bhp and 204Nm of torque. The engine in all probablity has been mated to a six-speed manual or the automatic gearbox that is offered in many global markets. It is likely that this engine will power both 4X4 and 4X2 variants of the compact SUV.  Reports suggest that 90 per cent of the peak torque is available in the range of 1,500rpm and will fully kick in at 2,000rpm. 

It is now a well known fact that many automakers are switching over to turbocharging rather than larger naturally aspirated engines in a bid to downsize and provide greener, cleaner and more efficient vehicles. Will we get to see this engine in India? In all probability yes, for two reasons; the first being that Renault manufacturers all the Dusters in RHD configuration at its Chennai plant, so which means that probably the engine and the technology is already here and is being fitted into the export spec Dusters currently. 

The second is that such an engine is a direct rival to the Ecoboost engine which made its debut in Ford EcoSport, a direct rival for the Duster and well, now the Nissan Terrano. The third (yes, there is one more) and more economical reason is that such an engine is likely to appeal to newer buyers of the Duster and may see the introduction of a much needed 4WD option in the vehicle.