Renault may not have had the best of the year with an haywire pricing strategy and limited dealerships. However, the company wants to show its commitments to the Indian market at the 2012 Auto Expo. The company plans to showcase the much anticipated Renault Duster – a compact SUV to take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport.
The Duster promises to be the sub 10 lakh SUV that India always wanted. The 1.6 liter petrol variant produces 105BHP. The other two are 1.5 liter capacity diesel engines producing 90BHP and 107BHP. The five passenger model will be available from mid 2012.
Alongside the Duster will be the Pulse, Renault’s version of the Nissan Micra hatchback. Bookings for the model have commenced already in certain parts of the country. Powered by a 1.5 dCi diesel engine the Pulse generates 64HP at 4000rpm. The expected mileage of Pulse is 23kmpl.
Gathering eyeballs at the Renault’s pavilion with be gorgeous looking DeZir electric car concept which was showcased at the Paris Motor Show. Power comes from a vertically mounted 24kWh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, fed to a 148bhp mid-mounted electric motor.
From the present line-up Renault Fluence and Koleos will also be a part of Renault’s showcase.