[karpusv]

Does that ugly mark of the Airbag Break-away part really have to be strongly visible like that?
Doesn't seem to be in good taste.
I remember seeing simila rmarks n other cars but none so prominent.

(Pic source: http://auto.ndtv.com/reviews/2014-re...-review-642728 )

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by venkateshkm

A dual tone black and grey will look less upmarket than either a soft plastic all black or black and beige. Hope the launch vehicles come with either of these.

Looking at the reviews, I actually felt the opposite
The colour combination looks elegant and a bit more premium compared to the regular Duster. One bit I found a bit loud was the colour combination for the seats. All black would have been ideal.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by gemi_kk

Personally speaking, i do not like this lady's videos. She speaks all JUNK. nothing of any value. Also, she doesn't have any taste. She appreciates Everything. God!

I too realized that she is absolute clue less when it comes to 4x4.

Originally Posted by venkateshkm

A dual tone black and grey will look less upmarket than either a soft plastic all black or black and beige. Hope the launch vehicles come with either of these.

For some reason, there is a desi mentality that considers black low rent and beige premium. Outside India, most luxury cars come in all black/dark grey interiors.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

For some reason, there is a desi mentality that considers black low rent and beige premium. Outside India, most luxury cars come in all black/dark grey interiors.

I think it is more to do with the trend. There is a black interiors making a comeback and it will catch up in India very soon. Even in India, the beige areas are getting smaller and are used only in small patches these days.
Of course the sporty versions always had black interiors.

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

For some reason, there is a desi mentality that considers black low rent and beige premium. Outside India, most luxury cars come in all black/dark grey interiors.

Even in the present Duster the lower end version has black interiors and the higher versions carry beige tones. I like the black ones than beige; though likes and dislikes are subjective and purely personal.
It is time that all manufacturers provides interior color options.

[nettooran]

The Car seems more capable than what I expected.. check out this video..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lJnPw0cs9g

Hope they price it right

[fine69]

Is there not an objective way of comparing the low-end torque that is available in Duster's 1st gear with 4WD on and, say, that of a Storme in 4H & 4L mode?

[sudev]

Objective way is to have target vehicles all available at the same location to test the abilities. On paper specifications need to be tested under performance conditions.

For instance a peak 150bhp available with a narrow rpm band is less useful than say 100bhp across a flat curve. Power to weight ratios. Suspension travel and chassis dynamics.....list is endless but yes only in a back to back comparo that these could objectively tested.

[fine69]

@sudev: Thanks!

Certain other questions that are bothering me -

1. I know that while crawling down the Duster would end up touching the speed of 25-30 kmph unless the driver continues braking. What speed are we talking about when we crawl down in, say a Thar or Storme, in 4L mode?

2. Duster has traction control and going by my limited knowledge this is totally different from LSD. How exactly would traction control help in gaining traction when one is off-road? LSD supplies more power to that one wheel while traction control simply applies brake to the wheel that is spinning? How would having traction control help Duster's cause?

3. Does LSD need additional mechanical components (compared to Traction Control which I think needs none), which are way too expensive or complicated to assemble, which is why Renault thought of skipping it?

Request note to Mods: When doing a test drive of the 4x4 Duster, please do a comparo with Storme (at least) on the same terrain if possible.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by fine69

1. I know that while crawling down the Duster would end up touching the speed of 25-30 kmph

Duster will not hot 25kmph in 1st gear coming down hill without pressing the accelerator 30 is bout the max speed in 1st gear, for this you have to accellerate to reach that speed.

Originally Posted by fine69

2. Duster has traction control and going by my limited knowledge this is totally different from LSD.

A vehicle 4x4 vehicle with traction control is like having front, rear and center diff locks. 4x4 with Traction control much more effective than a 4x4 vehicle with open diffs in front and LSD in rear. With traction control, the vehicle can climb if any one wheel has traction. This is not the case with 4x4 vehicles with only rear LSD and front open diff.

Originally Posted by fine69

3. Does LSD need additional mechanical components (compared to Traction Control which I think needs none), which are way too expensive or complicated to assemble, which is why Renault thought of skipping it?

Traction control is much superior to LSD and if a vehicle has Traction control, then LSD is redundant/not required.

[fine69]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

Duster will not hot 25kmph in 1st gear coming down hill without pressing the accelerator 30 is bout the max speed in 1st gear, for this you have to accellerate to reach that speed.

So during one of my road trips to mountains I realized that when going down in the 1st gear in my Swift diesel I was reaching speeds of about 30 kmph and had to use the brake a lot to control the speed. I think I even posted about it and was told that it was nothing wrong with my car. I used to think that unless I didn't accelerate the speed wouldn't increase but that wasn't the case. Why would it be different for the Duster?

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

A vehicle 4x4 vehicle with traction control is like having front, rear and center diff locks. 4x4 with Traction control much more effective than a 4x4 vehicle with open diffs in front and LSD in rear. With traction control, the vehicle can climb if any one wheel has traction. This is not the case with 4x4 vehicles with only rear LSD and front open diff.

I think I probably misunderstood the function of Traction control then. I thought Traction control only applies brake (intermittently like ABS) to the wheel that spins and doesn't really supply additional torque to the wheel that is planted (because that's what LSD does). If I'm correct then how exactly is TC better than LSD?

[ahuja365]

It would be welcome if renault could also launch the six speed automatic version also as they already use this gearbox with the 1.5 dci engine in megane.Other manufacturers don`t have a automatic with small diesel.This could be renault opportunity to give the consumer what it needs.

[BUXX]

If one forgives the Duster's size- the 4X4 version of a reliable, proven, crossover should simply annihilate the Safaris and the Scorpios.

[arjab]

Originally Posted by BUXX

If one forgives the Duster's size- the 4X4 version of a reliable, proven, crossover should simply annihilate the Safaris and the Scorpios.

Actually the compact size and light weight of the Duster scores in favour of it when tackling off-road trails. The Scorp's and the Safari's suffer in the weight department and can get "bogged down" over some soft, mushy stuff.
Agreed the Duster may not have a separate transfer case for those ultra - low , rock clambering ratios, but the light overall kerb weight, good ground clearance and axle articulation is adequate enough to tackle 90% of the off - roading trails mere mortals would take their vehicles through.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

I too realized that she is absolute clue less when it comes to 4x4.

Originally Posted by gemi_kk

Personally speaking, i do not like this lady's videos. She speaks all JUNK. nothing of any value. Also, she doesn't have any taste. She appreciates Everything. God!

Originally Posted by CDM

This video is hilarious. She talks of a small river crossing. Delhi streets have more water after an hour of rain.

While I do agree that her videos are not upto standards - I think Renault is the culprit here. The track arranged for the media drive is nothing compared to some of the roads we are forced to negotiate.

Even the Overdrive review talks of the same 'obstacles'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwukxZLRJS4