Today, through our highly placed sources in Renault, we learned that this is far from the truth. The Renault Duster will be launched this year, however not in June. Renault, we’re told, is looking at a pre-festive season period as a potential time frame to conduct the launch.
Dacia has issued a press release in its 100 day countdown to the launch of the Dacia in the UK (James May must be dancing with joy). The launch maybe in June, but cars reach dealerships only in January 2013. In the press release, Dacia discusses how its factories could hardly keep up with the demand for the excelling and cult-forming LHD version of the Duster for European markets.
Notice the different grille and badge on the Dacia version (left)
Here’s the part of the press release that details the development and talks about the launch -
Due to the brand’s unprecedented global success in recent times, particularly the Duster SUV, Renault Group factories have been unable to provide right-hand-drive model production. Until now. By late 2012, right-hand-drive versions of Dacia’s SUV, built at the new Renault-Nissan Alliance factory in India, will start arriving in the UK, ready for deliveries from January 2013.
Dacia, a low cost brand under the leadership of Renault-Nissan, has started working on ULC project whose price tag is expected to hover around 5,000 Euros (around 3-4 lakhs). Interestingly, the Datsun brand will also sell cars in the same price bracket.
The proposed hatchback is smaller than the Sandero (above) and will continue the Dacia tradition of offering cars at a value price
The Dacia ULC project will be same size at Hyundai i10 but will have an entirely new modular platform. This platform will be similar to the MQB platform by VW in the sense, it will allow Dacia to build multiple cars on the same platform to gain huge economies of scale.
It will be powered by a 900 cc, 3 cylinder engine which will debut on the next generation Renault Clio this September. The new engine will be available in a 60, 75, and 90 horsepower version with a 5 speed manual box for shifting cogs.
Yet again, a fleet of Renault Duster test mules was spotted on the streets on Chennai by IndianAutosBlog.com reader Kaushik KR with one of them scantily camouflaged.
The last time the Duster was spotted in Chennai was by our reader Bairesh Raj who explained that the road presence of this animal, despite its lines and curves cloaked, is something different.
Back in January 2012, the Renault India stall at the Auto Expo was buzzing with people. Renault had a Formula 1 car, a Cup racer, the Duster SUV and Pulse – all shinning and trying to catch eyeballs. However one particular product caught our eye so much that we made a second trip to the Auto Expo just to comprehensively photo shoot it for you.
Yes, we are talking about the Renault Fluence Black edition which sported features such as 17 inch black alloy wheels, body graphics, chrome trimmings on its body, rear spoiler and Black Edition badges. Renault has finally decided to put the Fluence Black Edition in production but made it a bit sober.
The Logan is quite a popular car in India and Eastern European countries. Its solid build quality, fuel efficient engines and aggressive price makes sure that it mopes up a lot of sales in the entry sedan market. However, the current Logan is all set to get a revamp very soon. The next generation Logan’s program director Arnaud Deboeuf gave some insights on the next generation Logan to Automarket.ro.
The 2012 Dacia Logan is expected in late 2012. Codenamed X52, the next gen Logan will get a comprehensive makeover. However, Dacia intends to use the same platform of the outgoing Logan. The car is expected to have up market interiors, an aerodynamic design and more features. Dacia is trying very hard to keep the cost of the new Logan same as the old one.
While a Renault official at the key handover ceremony of the first fourteen Fluence examples in Delhi remarked that the Duster will be available in 4X2 and 4X4 versions here in India, our sources in the industry say the 4×4 version may not give company to the 4×2 at the launch. The Duster maybe offered only in 2WD in varying levels of equipment.
That said, the 4X4 will come to India at some point in the future to play the role of the top-end model.
Here’s a Youtube video showing the off-roading abilities of the Duster.
Yes, we are as shocked as you are. When Tata Motors launched the Aria, everyone criticized the Indian manufacturer for making a completely pointless product. An MPV with off roading capabilities and an exorbitant price to accompany – who needs that?
Well, it seems Renault has closely examined the Tata Aria and is cooking something on similar lines. Renault’s marketing director Stephen Norman has revealed the future models of Renault’s line up and something starting are come into limelight.
There are two reasons why India believes the Duster will be launched in June -
