[ampere]

Looks like nicely priced. There is an RXL variant too!

The RXL variant is priced at Rs. 11.98 lakhs and top-end RXZ variant will be priced at Rs. 12.99 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

http://auto.ndtv.com/news/renault-du...overage-670142

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by ampere

Looks like nicely priced. There is an RXL variant too!

Yes indeed! Suddenly it looks like the Euro manufacturers are getting realistic on the pricing front. Decent pricing for the Vento, and now this one looks good as well, especially with the kit on offer.

[speedmiester]

Good pricing.
The RXL variant is good VFM, only things you miss out on are the passenger side airbag and alloy wheels.

Now I am awaiting Scorpio's pricing for the 4wd variants.

[niv26]

Hope they have taken care of rattling , A/C water out and NVH levels down.

If they improve dealers/customer service, they don't need to look back.

[batterylow]

Originally Posted by Equus

ASR (anti-skid resistance - dunno what it means), Under Steer Control & also something called Rapid Deceleration warning.

ASR is traction control.

Something to do with creating a English expansion for a word that is essentially German in origin. (Antriebsschlupfregelung)

And isn't ESP and Under Steer Control the same?

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by batterylow

ASR is traction control.

Something to do with creating a English expansion for a word that is essentially German in origin. (Antriebsschlupfregelung)

And isn't ESP and Under Steer Control the same?

There are very slight differences in the way these technologies function, some are designed to minimize/cut off power to the wheel while some are designed to apply brakes to the wheels depending on the situation. Technically, there are wheel speed sensors which sense difference in wheel speed and activate the needed reaction to bring the wheels within the requisite parameters. These systems are very intelligent and super fast hence extremely helpful. These aid have saved a thousand lives hence have been made mandatory in several countries in the western world, these features generally represent themselves as ESC or ASP.

There is another feature in the Duster AWD, it is the Hill Start Assist, this feature holds the car from rolling back on an incline for 2-3secs when the car is being moved upwards from 0 kph speed. Helpful feature while driving off-road. Sometimes when gravity pulls the car backwards on an incline it is extremely difficult to regain composure as slamming and locking breaks just would'nt be enough to score against gravitational inertia.

The RxZ version also comes with 2 more features; Speed Limiter (set the speed and the car will not exceed that speed, prevents you from unknowingly exceed the max road speed limit wherever set by authorities and Eco Mode, one flick of a button and the car will de-tune itself to offer better economy at the cost of power. Good ones those...

Here it is finally; http://renault.co.in/DusterAWD.html

[karpusv]

On looking at the detailed specs and comparing with respective base grades, this is what I find.

Additions (Common to both RxL and RxZ)
2WD-Auto-Lock (4WD)
All Wheel Independent Suspension
Cruise Control
ESP + ASR + HAC + Under steering Control
Smoked Headlamps
3 Dial Instrument Console
Speed Sensing Door Auto lock
Impact Sensing Door Auto Unlock
Rapid Deceleration Warning
Gear Shift Indicator
1-touch Turn Indicator
Exterior Temperature Display
Driver Information (Seems addition of Service Reminder)
Leather Wrap Steering & Gear Knob

Additions (Exclusive to RxZ)
Soft Touch Dashboard & Door Trims
Speed LImiter
ECO Mode

Deductions (from RxL)
Passenger Airbag
Reverse Parking Sensors
Central Locking
Rear Door Chrome Ornament (RxZ also)

Also, the AWD's seem to have 110PS at 4000rpm (against 3900rpm of 2WD)
and the peak torque is at 1750rpm (against 2000rpm of 2WD)

That seems to be a decent level of equipment for the asking money. But the fact that it is a 5-seater will play down some chances.
For those seeking ride comfort and interior feel at the expense of a few rupees, the suspension and soft touch dash should be a pull.

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by karpusv

On looking at the detailed specs and comparing with respective base grades, this is what I find.

Additions (Common to both RxL and RxZ)
2WD-Auto-Lock (4WD)
All Wheel Independent Suspension
Cruise Control
ESP + ASR + HAC + Under steering Control
Smoked Headlamps
3 Dial Instrument Console
Speed Sensing Door Auto lock
Impact Sensing Door Auto Unlock
Rapid Deceleration Warning
Gear Shift Indicator
1-touch Turn Indicator
Exterior Temperature Display
Driver Information (Seems addition of Service Reminder)
Leather Wrap Steering & Gear Knob

Additions (Exclusive to RxZ)
Soft Touch Dashboard & Door Trims
Speed LImiter
ECO Mode

Deductions (from RxL)
Passenger Airbag
Reverse Parking Sensors
Central Locking
Rear Door Chrome Ornament (RxZ also)

Also, the AWD's seem to have 110PS at 4000rpm (against 3900rpm of 2WD)
and the peak torque is at 1750rpm (against 2000rpm of 2WD)

That seems to be a decent level of equipment for the asking money. But the fact that it is a 5-seater will play down some chances.
For those seeking ride comfort and interior feel at the expense of a few rupees, the suspension and soft touch dash should be a pull.

You seem to have missed out on the most important feature which is exclusive to the RxZ variant, the touch screen MediaNav system. If not for this feature they couldn't demanded 1.10Lacs between the two variants on ex.showroom BLR, which itself works out to about 1.38Lacs on road.

[karpusv]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

You seem to have missed out on the most important feature which is exclusive to the RxZ variant, the touch screen MediaNav system. If not for this feature they couldn't demanded 1.10Lacs between the two variants on ex.showroom BLR, which itself works out to about 1.38Lacs on road.

My bad. I think I just overlooked that RxZ had the MediaNav as an option.

[fine69]

Safety features are always targetted when it comes to cost cutting. Why couldn't they give passenger side airbag in RxL too :(

EDIT: Can't wait for the official review, hopefully it has a comparo with our domestic 7-seaters.

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by fine69

Safety features are always targetted when it comes to cost cutting. Why couldn't they give passenger side airbag in RxL too :(

EDIT: Can't wait for the official review, hopefully it has a comparo with our domestic 7-seaters.

Airbags are expensive fitments and easy to forgo in India coz people care about saving those few extra pennies than lives!

There already exists a detailed review and I have compared my notes with that review after checking the SUV out myself. There is nothing more to add. Here it is http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...-report-2.html

Comparing the Duster AWD with any vehicle that can carry more than 5 people, if that is the non-negotiable component while choosing, doesn't make too much sense coz that is exactly where it loses out apart from the road presence. Rest, in all other aspects it seems to be neck to neck with noticeable price advantage when compared correctly.

[fine69]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

There already exists a detailed review and I have compared my notes with that review after checking the SUV out myself. There is nothing more to add.

Thanks for the link!

I'm looking at a review (if its possible) which has the Duster and Storme (most preferred) tackle some off-road terrain to see which one fares better.

The few things that I could make out why/where Duster would be better -
1. Muddy/slushy terrain
2. Water wading depth (even if its 50 mm more)
3. Better approach/departure angles

However, what about crawling down at low speeds. While the Duster has a low gear can it crawl like the Storme would in 4L? Would the duster be crawling upwards better than the Storme?

Barring two points as you rightly mentioned (Road presence and seating capacity) nothing else comes to my mind also which would make Storme/Scorpio/XUV 5OO better than the Duster. But may be I'm missing something which the reviewers can bring out in the review.

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

Comparing the Duster AWD with any vehicle that can carry more than 5 people, if that is the non-negotiable component while choosing, doesn't make too much sense coz that is exactly where it loses out apart from the road presence. Rest, in all other aspects it seems to be neck to neck with noticeable price advantage when compared correctly.

Originally Posted by fine69

Barring two points as you rightly mentioned (Road presence and seating capacity) nothing else comes to my mind also which would make Storme/Scorpio/XUV 5OO better than the Duster. But may be I'm missing something which the reviewers can bring out in the review.

For all practical purposes, Storme [and Scorpio too] are 5 seaters only. The rear jump seats can't be used by anyone except kids over long distances.

Cheers,
Vikram

[fine69]

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

For all practical purposes, Storme [and Scorpio too] are 5 seaters only. The rear jump seats can't be used by anyone except kids over long distances.

Cheers,
Vikram

On a long road tip I would never ever think of putting anybody on the rear jump seats of a Storme or Scorpio (adults or kids) however within the city if 6-7 people really wanted to go somewhere (receiving/dropping someone at the airport, to a friend's place etc.) its manageable but with Duster that would never be a possibility.

Having said that, I personally feel (not sure whether it'd be true) that most of the Storme/Scorpio 4x4 buyers would've bought the vehicle even if it was a 5-seater because of the road presence of these vehicles, ability to off-road in comfort (as compared to a Thar) and lack of alternatives.

[niv26]

>>> and the peak torque is at 1750rpm (against 2000rpm of 2WD)

Does it mean less turbo lag compare to 2WD ?