New Renault Duster India launch delayed

As the compact SUV market continues to grow strongly, delaying the launch of the new-generation Duster may seem a bit surprising.

The new generation Duster was spotted undergoing road testing in India in November last year. The new model is expected to be launched in India in 2025. However, according to the latest news, the launch of the new generation Duster may be delayed to 2026.

New dust collector India launch schedule

In a recent interaction, Venkatram Mamillapalle, Managing Director, Renault India, spoke about the company’s plans for 2025. While the launch of the next-generation Duster was not specifically discussed, other information shared by Venkatram provides some strong clues. One of the key developments in 2025 will be the launch of the next generation Triber and Kiger in India. Triber and Kiger together account for about 80% of the company’s total sales. The new generation model is expected to get sharper styling and new features to improve its VFM positioning.

Venkatram also said that a new SUV will be launched in 2026. This is likely to be the new generation Duster sold in multiple international markets. The India-spec model may have some differences in terms of equipment list and powertrain options. However, the sporty new look of the third-generation Duster will remain unchanged in most parts of India.

You may remember that it was the Renault Duster that popularized compact SUVs in the Indian market. The first-generation model was launched in India in 2012 and continues in the same form until 2022. The second generation Duster was launched in 2017 but was never launched in India. Duster sales in India have taken a hit due to the age of the first-generation model and the presence of better-equipped rivals. The SUV will be discontinued in India in 2022.

New generation dust collector – powerful presence

The third generation Duster has undergone significant changes in design and styling. Features such as strong bumpers and thick body cladding achieve a strong road presence. New door trim, roof rails and uniquely designed alloys further enhance the overall look and feel. Some unique features are also noticeable, such as the Y-shaped lighting elements at the front and rear. The Y-shaped theme can also be seen on the air conditioning vents inside the cabin.

Interior updates include a new three-spoke steering wheel. Key features of the new generation Duster sold globally include a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. The new Duster comes with cruise control, wireless mobile phone charger, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a premium Arkamys 3D sound system. The addition of ADAS improves safety. Standard safety kit includes six airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system and an electronic parking brake.

Performance, specifications

The third generation Duster comes with new powertrain options. The mild hybrid model uses a 130 PS 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine combined with a 48 V mild hybrid unit. This powerful hybrid model combines a 140 PS 1.6-liter petrol engine with two electric motors. The 1.2-litre petrol engine also comes with an LPG option. It produces 100 PS of power and comes with a 6-speed gearbox. It remains to be seen what powertrain options the India-spec new-gen Renault Duster will offer.