[volkman10]

Mod Note: Our Duster Facelift & AMT Report has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!

Facing the heat of new launches , Renault's Duster 'facelift' now spotted in Chennai.



The design at the rear includer LED or LED-effect taillights, though the overall shape of the clusters remain identical to the current model. New alloy wheels are also noticed on this prototype. Renault is expected to tweak the design of the headlights, bumper and grille as well.

The dashboard of this prototype is camouflaged, indicating that interior changes will be more than just a new seat upholstery, or entertainment system. However, mechanically, the Duster facelift is expected to retain its 1.5-liter dCi diesel engine, though one report pointed out that Renault is keen to get its 6-speed dual-clutch EDC automatic transmission on this variant

http://indianautosblog.com/2015/07/r...a-spied-185262

[itwasntme]

They should have proactively done this a long time back to launch BEFORE the Creta/S-Cross and in conjunction with the improved '2015 All-New Duster' they unveiled in May 2015!

Amazing how such experienced companies muck things up.

[deepeshh]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

They should have proactively done this a long time back to launch BEFORE the Creta/S-Cross and in conjunction with the improved '2015 All-New Duster' they unveiled in May 2015!

Amazing how such experienced companies muck things up.

I guess they must be doing this on purpose. Its again a marketing strategy to be 1 step ahead of competition. If they come out with a refreshed model post Creta/Scross lanuch then they still hold the perception of something new in prospective customers minds. Its not that such International giants are unaware of marketing strategy.

[supertinu]

Only time will tell the numbers story, but in my view this seems little late and even might be too little if changes are just cosmetics externally and on the inside. nevertheless its good to see that Renault is worried and trying to atleast make some attempts at staying competitive and offer a improved product.

[rajeev k]

Renault need to refresh the interiors and re-position oddly located stuff, if they want to even think about posing a semblance of any threat to Creta and S Cross.
Leave alone shedding of the dated look.

[i_see]

New interiors look like a probability seeing the images
Does the camouflage also point at some sheet metal changes?

[ram_hyundai]

Originally Posted by rajeev k

Renault need to refresh the interiors and re-position oddly located stuff, if they want to even think about posing a semblance of any threat to Creta and S Cross.
Leave alone shedding of the dated look.

Yes,They have made real numbers with the Duster.So they should revive the interiors extensively to add some richness in them.Exterior cahnges are possible any day because major elements wont require huge investment. Lights ,bonnet,Front and rear Bumpers and boot can be easily changed with some existing avatars of Duster.

[itwasntme]

Bring this offer back and I will pick one up the next day :-) !!!

Renault has fallen into the narrow-minded thinking of offering their latest interior upgrades only on the top RXZ models such as soft touch dashboard, center armrest etc. They should extend such basic 'upgrades' to all models which are the real volume sellers.

They have a great opportunity to think outside the box - unless I'm mistaken, they are already shipping the export-spec Dusters with face lifted features. Doesn't take long to add these to the India-spec models.

[rohitchandra21]

I never liked the Duster. I just hope this time they improve the overall built quality and a fresh design. I don‘t know why the international auto brands take the Indian market and the customers for granted.

[itwasntme]

Looking forward to the August offers for the Duster. The 'Offers' page is now offline :-)

Hoping they do something radical else Duster will simply fall off the mind-space of buyers

[volkman10]

Exterior changes spotted so far are the new taillight clusters, which could be LED powered.



http://indianautosblog.com/2015/08/2...testing-185731

[rednikhil]

Yesterday, I was discussing the Duster with one of Renault India's top persons and he confirmed that the upgrade is arriving in Jan. He did mention that it would be only cosmetic updates with no mechanical changes.

IMHO, even after the launch of the Creta snd S Cross, it's only the Duster that has the butch look and macho appeal. So it wouldn't hurt if they make the adventure kit standard across the range to further exploit that advantage.

[GTO]

Thanks to Ram Prasath for sharing these pictures with us!

[RoadSurfer]

I wonder what is stopping Renault from changing those ugly flap type door handles?
I know Carlos Ghosn is a fan of frugal engineering. But I won't call this frugal, this is cheap engineering.

Pick up the Fluence door handles, take the same linkages, make small changes to the door trimming dies and viola, you have the upmarket feel to the car, atleast from outside.

Also the current dashboard needs to be thrown away. A complete fresh design with soft touch plastics is the call of the day in the segment.

Is it a too much of an ask from Renault?

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

They should have proactively done this a long time back to launch BEFORE the Creta/S-Cross

Amazing how such experienced companies muck things up.

Before Renault launched the duster, they went from one miserable product failure to the next.

The Duster was their first hit. Even then, they took their own time making any kinds of improvements or offering the 4WD version. Now the Creta will pretty much obliterate the duster. This face lift is rather delayed/reactive strategy to the Creta. For anyone who doesn't need 4WD, it makes much more sense to get the Creata given the more powerful engine, better interiors and safety features and not to mention, first in class 6-Speed automatic with a powerful deisel engine.