After completing this almost 1800 km long journey, the odo of my SUV stands at 57,500 km.

BHPian Samba recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Odo reads 57,500 km & Duster is just back from a 1758 km road trip to North Bengal.

• It took the steep Himalayan roads like a boss, crossed the trails inside the tea gardens effortlessly.
• Bad roads were dismissed with aplomb.
• The AC worked like a charm during the hot day drive from Siliguri to Kolkata.
• The only negative was the fuel economy, for the overall trip, I got a mileage of around 13.5 km/L, whereas my expectation was somewhere between 14.5- 15 km/L.

Sharing a few pics from the trip:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Renault has decided to pass on the benefit of increased localization to its customers. This has resulted in a revision in the price of the 2018 Duster. The Duster range now starts at Rs. 7.95 lakh, while the base diesel variant costs Rs. 8.95 lakh (ex-showroom). The revised prices come into effect from March 1, 2018.

The 2018 Duster is available in five trim levels - Std, RxE, RxL, RxS and RxZ, offered with a choice of one petrol and two diesel engines. The 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine produces 105 BHP @ 5,600 rpm and 142 Nm of peak torque @ 4,000 rpm. It is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT with 6-speed manual mode. 

The base diesel is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder unit that puts out 84 BHP @ 3,750 rpm and 200 Nm @ 1,750 rpm. It comes equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox. A 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel producing 109 BHP @ 4,000 rpm and 245 Nm @ 1,750 rpm is available in the top RxZ trim. This engine comes with a choice a 6-speed manual and 6-speed AMT. The Duster AWD uses the same 109 BHP diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Variant-wise ex-showroom prices are:

Petrol:

RXE - Rs. 7,95,000

RXL - Rs. 8,79,000

RXS CVT - Rs. 9,95,000

Diesel:

Std 85 PS - Rs. 8,95,000

RXE 85 PS - Rs. 9,09,000

RXS 85 PS - Rs. 9,95,000

RXZ 85 PS - Rs. 10,89,000

RXZ 110 PS - Rs. 11,79,000 

RXZ 110 PS AMT - Rs. 12,33,000

RXZ 110 PS AWD - Rs. 12,79,000

Renault has launched the Duster all-wheel drive (AWD) in India. Sitting at the top of the Duster range, it is available in two trim levels - RxL and RxZ priced at Rs. 11,89,499 and Rs. 12,99,499 (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively.

The Duster AWD is powered by the same 1.5-litre, K9K diesel engine, which produces 108.5 bhp and 240 Nm of torque as the regular Duster. It uses the same 6-speed manual transmission as well. AS the name suggests, the car comes with an all-wheel drive system and three drive modes - 2WD, Auto and Lock. The user is able to shift between these three modes on the move by turning a switch, located on the centre console, below the AC control knobs.

The Duster AWD uses an all-wheel independent multi-link and is equipped with Renault's Electronic Torque Control System, which regulates the distribution of torque between all four wheels. The vehicle also gets cruise control, hill start assist, electronic stability programme (ESP), anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and anti-skid resistance (ASR). Renault has also provided an ECO mode, which it claims reduces fuel consumption.

Coming to cosmetic changes, the exterior of the Duster AWD features smoked alloy wheels and headlamps, matte black B-pillars, and 'AWD' and '4×4' badging. On the inside, the car gets a soft-touch dashboard, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel and new upholstery and new 3-pod instrument cluster with an updated multi-information display. Other equipment include Renault's MediaNav system, a multi-function steering wheel and dual airbags.

The Duster AWD is available in six body colours - amazon green, pearl galaxy black, pearl supreme white, metallic woodland brown, metallic graphite grey and metallic moonlight silver.

Renault is gearing up to launch the all-wheel drive (AWD) variant of the Duster soon. Here are some details of the vehicle.

The new variant will be powered by the same 1.5-litre, K9K diesel engine, which produces 108.5 bhp and 240 Nm of torque as the regular Duster. It will even use the same 6-speed manual transmission. However, in the AWD, power will be sent to all four wheels of the car instead of just the front wheels. It will come with three drive modes - 2WD, Auto and Lock and the user will be able to shift between these three modes on the move by turning a switch, located on the centre console, below the AC control knobs.

The Duster AWD will use an all-wheel independent multi-link suspension instead of the torsion bean setup of the standard car. Also provided will be Renault's Electronic Torque Control System, which regulates the distribution of torque between all four wheels. A hill-start assist system and an Eco mode, which Renault claims will reduce fuel consumption, will also be available.

The Duster AWD will also feature a soft-touch dashboard, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel and new upholstery, new instrument cluster with a multi-information display, gear-shift indicator and cruise control.

AWD decals on the sides and a 4WD badge on the tail gate will help distinguish the AWD from the regular Duster.

The AWD variant will sit at the top of the Duster range and is likely to be positioned against 4x4 versions of the Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari.

Source: Autocar India

Earlier this year, we had reported that Renault is planning to introduce an all-wheel drive (AWD) variant of the Duster. Latest media reports suggest that the launch of the vehicle may not be too far away now. Additionally, Gang of Dusters members are reported to have received invites for a preview of the vehicle, which is an indication that the vehicle could go on sale soon.

The 4x4 variant is likely to sit at the top of the Duster range. It is likely to get all the features that are available on the RxZ variant and an all-wheel drive system. The vehicle is likely to be positioned against 4x4 versions of the Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari.

The Duster 4x4 is already on sale in Europe, where it wears a Dacia badge. For UK and Ireland, the Dacia Duster is built in India at the Renault-Nissan factory near Chennai. The SUV is available with a choice of two four-cylinder engines - 1.6-litre petrol developing 105 bhp and 148 Nm and 1.5-litre, K9K diesel producing 108.5 bhp and 240 Nm. For India, we expect the latter to be used. The 4x4 system is likely to be carried over from the European-spec Duster, which means that the 4L option will left out.

The Duster has been Renault's most successful car in India and is responsible for turning around the company's fortunes. With the addition of the 4x4 version, Renault will attempt to make the SUV appealing to off-roading enthusiasts.

Renault India is said to be gearing up to launch the four-wheel drive version of the Duster SUV.

According to a report by Car Dekho, the company plans to put the car on sale in the country by the end of 2014. The website claims that Sumit Sawhney, MD and CEO of Renault India, confirmed the plan to launch the car in an interview.

The Duster 4x4 is already on sale in Europe, where it wears a Dacia badge. For UK and Ireland, the Dacia Duster is built in India at the Renault-Nissan factory near Chennai. The 4x4 system uses a Nissan-made drivetrain component manufactured in Romania. The SUV is available with a choice of two four-cylinder engines - 1.6-litre petrol developing 105 bhp and 148 Nm and 1.5-litre, K9K diesel producing 107 bhp and 240 Nm. For India, we expect the later to be used.

The Duster has been Renault's most successful car in India and is responsible for turning around the company's fortunes. Adding the 4x4 version to the range will broaden the vehicle's appeal.