[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Also note the composure during the turn. Body-roll is much lower than what you would expect from Indian SUVs (e.g. Safari or Scorpio.

Missed the body-roll picture:

[Behemoth]

Originally Posted by StarrySky

Is that rear AC vent just a blower as in Nissan Sunny? Looks very similar to the arrangement in Sunny.

No actually the rear vent also incorporates a separate evaporator and a blower motor. This is a good thing as the air output from this will be much cooler.

[narayan]

This is definetly good competition for the Scorpio. Any news of price cuts on the Safari ?

by any chance, are the dimesions of the Duster similar to the old Chevy Forester ? reason i am asking is, the Forester never that that SUVish look ( all though a very capable performer it was )

[sumeshmani]

Some observations from the ACI First Drive article
- The plastic on the rear AC vent does not look so bad. Not sure if it's the same on the dash.
- The center head rest on the rear bench is a fixed one.
- Parcel tray is not the fold away type that we are used to seeing in the Duster videos. Not sure if that is good or bad for us.
- How i wish the parking sensors were more elegant looking

[Guna]

Originally Posted by narayan

by any chance, are the dimesions of the Duster similar to the old Chevy Forester ? reason i am asking is, the Forester never that that SUVish look ( all though a very capable performer it was )

Forester is little longer in length (4400+ vs 4300+) but Duster is taller (1590 vs 1690). Width is similar. But they have very similar overall proportion and stance.

[ObsessedByFIAT]

Wasn't the Duster supposed to come with tinted glasses? Two of these cars were spotted by a T-BHPian some days back (WB and MH passing ones). The pics in ACI report do not seem to have those glasses. :(

[Sowmya]

Originally Posted by BUXX

Petrol RXE 7.4L , RxL : 8.2L
Diesel 85bhp Rxe; 8.5L , RxL 9.25L(Optional:ABS,airbag,16"alloy,rear sensor,Navigtn)
Diesel 110bhp RxL: 10.5L (ABS,airbag standard ) ; RxZ: 11.5L (ABS,airbag,16"alloy,rear sensor standard) (optional:Navigtn etc)

I think another 30-50 K less in all variant will be very much idle to sell this product like hot cake. There is no ABS or Airbag or 16"alloy in the base version. So the base version is only for a name sake. We will end up buying min the middle range which is 8.2 0r 9.25 L.
Also for 25 BHP more you may need to pay 2.25L more. Seems to be meaningless.

[man_and_machine]

Are the door handles not grip type? Well, even Indica has now better ones. Rear leg room is at premium. The front seats not backed up in the image with a person in the rear seat (see where the front seat back support is against the pillar, that gives an idea that the front seats are not fully backed up). Thigh support also does not seem great.

From the outside it looks new and different from cars that we have been seeing so far, has a fresh (to India) image. The paint quality seems okay. What's that nob below the handbrake? 12V port?

[magikrider]

hope its a safe vehicle being an suv.

frankly speaking this can be a competition to Ertiga, upcoming ecosport, upcoming mini xylo scorpio (to some extent) and various c segment cars like city, fiesta etc.

don't see it as a tough competition to big boys like XUV, Aria etc. as people buying these cars have usually different needs. they mostly need a large, spacious, butch and tough looking suv which can seat 5+2.

but nevertheless a good option for buyers now. different segments are opening with the likes of Ertiga and now duster.

but now i believe that yeti is almost dead! similar size and use with few extra features but at a huge premium.

[MAS]

Originally Posted by man_and_machine

Are the door handles not grip type? Well, even Indica has now better ones. Rear leg room is at premium. The front seats not backed up in the image with a person in the rear seat (see where the front seat back support is against the pillar, that gives an idea that the front seats are not fully backed up). Thigh support also does not seem great.

From the outside it looks new and different from cars that we have been seeing so far, has a fresh (to India) image. The paint quality seems okay. What's that nob below the handbrake? 12V port?

The door handles are the old fashioned types (still seen on the old Logan/Verito). I guess it would have cost a bomb to change the handouts to pull type.

Space seems to be okay, but is really not as spacious as a proper SUV. The Duster will have more space than the sedans that it will compete against (except the Manza or the Sunny)

The knob below the handbrake is the Electrical adjustment for the ORVM s. Sadly, only the power window switches have been shifted to door panels leaving the ORVM adjustment switch at its original place.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by MAS

Space seems to be okay, but is really not as spacious as a proper SUV. The Duster will have more space than the sedans that it will compete against (except the Manza or the Sunny)

Very similar observations to mine.

But I think the City and Vento are just as spacious, or perhaps even more. The rear-seats are more supportive in the sedans too, I reckon. The interior looks just about as spacious as a Fiesta.

Originally Posted by man_and_machine

From the outside it looks new and different from cars that we have been seeing so far, has a fresh (to India) image. The paint quality seems okay. What's that nob below the handbrake? 12V port?

The knob you are referring to is most probably the electronically-adjustable ORVMs. I don't see the controls on the door-trim or anywhere else, so it must be that.

There is already a power-socket for the cigarette-lighter/mobile-charger right underneath the AC controls.

[sumeshmani]

The ACI article seems to praise the space and comfort of rear bench. "The highlight of the SUV is its back seat that offers excellent thigh, back and shoulder support with ample knee – and headroom too."
The photograph does not seem to support that to such an extent. Even the rear AC unit seems to eat up a lot of space.

[raul]

Interiors much better than expected, most of the pics and videos of the Dacia interiors show very basic poor quality interiors. The good news is this is probably the first time India will get better interiors than the rest of the world!

Having said that the USP of the car everywhere so far has been great value and back to basics and those looking to buy for interiors or other niceties are probably going to be disappointed.

That's what the Yeti will give you, a thoroughly modern car which tick marks most of today's expectations but at a premium. That's why I think most folks will struggle to justify 13 lakhs OTR for the Duster 4x2, which is what the DCI 110 is looking to be.

I think 12 is the magic figure here for volumes, ultimately folks will go for value, a minority will choose otherwise but Renault is looking for numbers and the sort of buzz XUV created.

[shankar.balan]

I dont think Renault would make the mistake of bare bones uncomfy interiors. I can well believe it that the rear bench in very supportive etc, considering it is derived from the Logan, which in itself is an extremely comfy car as be seen when one uses the back seat in an airport taxi! The interiors will atleast be comparable if not better than those from the Maruti and Hyundai stables. Additionally, since this is a nice monocoque crossover, it will most certainly handle, drive and feel far more composed and better than the traditional ladder frame SUV's. Being light, it should in most general use cases, have no problems going pretty much anywhere too, regardless of lack of 4WD. The bigger game here really is how much safety kit and gizmos they have been able to pack into it at the prices proposed!

[C300]

Originally Posted by h@r$h@l

Autocar India has posted this test Drive report on their website

Renault Duster review, test drive - Review - Autocar India

Regards,

Nice review by ACR. The car looks gorgeous in that colour. Finally we have a world class mini-SUV around 10l.

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Nice, informative and seriously positive news indeed! This thing can and should give things like the Scorpio, Bolero, Safari, Sumo Grande, Storme, Force One and even the XUV a good run for their money!
I am as always, plugging for this vehicle. Very practical, no nonsense approach. One can live with less of the 'plushy bits' but it looks like there is a fair bit of safety stuff and other kit in this Duster.
All at a pretty reasonable price too with the good handling monocoque chassis, diesel power, reasonable torque and excellent ground clearance. They dont look to have stinted on the tyres and wheels either!
Good on you Renault.

+1. Good job by Renault. Its a great package for city dwellers on budget.