Renault Duster Facelift to be displayed at the Auto Show 2016

Renault is expected to present the facelifted version of the Duster crossover SUV at Auto Expo in February 2016. This will be its second update since its launch in 2012. The Duster had received a midlife update in 2014 along with the launch of the all-wheel-drive variant.

The facelift will only have cosmetic changes and not be a new generation. The exterior will get a refreshed single slat grille, new headlight and taillight clusters and redesigned bumpers. The interior is expected to get a new instrument cluster and a contemporary multifunction steering wheel. It will also get navigation and Bluetooth connectivity like the current car. The performance aspect of the car will remain unchanged, using the same petrol and diesel motors from the current generation.

The engine options will be the 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol. The turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine will be offered in two states of tune - 84bhp and 110bhp. The petrol engine develops 102bhp. The petrol engine and 84bhp diesel engine have been mated to a five-speed manual transmission, while the 110bhp diesel has been mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The all-wheel-drive version will receive the facelift as well.

The prices are expected to remain unchanged, starting at about Rs 8 lakh. The most expensive variant will be the all-wheel-drive version at about Rs 13.5 lakh. The Duster competes with the newly launched Maruti S-Cross and the Hyundai Creta crossovers along with its sibling the Nissan Terrano.