The New Renault Duster on sale in GCC

The New Renault Duster, a strong and reliable SUV with genuine off-road ability, was officially unveiled at the 2011 Dubai International Motor Show by Mr. Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing Renault Formula One driver and Mr. Mustansir Lakdawala, Managing Director of Renault GCC.

The New Renault Duster is a particularly versatile 4x2 and 4x4 vehicle, which combines a spacious interior with saloon-car comfort, while its compact footprint and high ground clearance ensure that it is at home in and about town as it is on country roads or off the beaten track.

The New Renault Duster will be available across the GCC from the 7^th of May 2012 in 4x2 4-speed AT and 4x4 6-speed MT versions powered by a 2.0 16V (135 hp) engine, especially tested in the GCC.

                        NEW RENAULT DUSTER, RENAULT QUALITY MADE

To confirm the New Renault Duster's strength and reliability, the new vehicle covered the equivalent of four million kilometers in a wide range of climates and in particularly punishing conditions. One month of rigorous testing in GCC conditions prior to launch was carried out few months ago to make sure all standards of Renault quality will be met and the vehicle conforms to GCC specifications and requirements

Mustansir Lakdawala, Managing Director of Renault GCC said, “We took into consideration the needs of customers aiming to own a modern car as a badge of social progress, but what they want most of all is a robust, reliable and versatile SUV vehicle they can afford. We had to take GCC extreme climate factors into account, as well as driving conditions that could be rough and varied (long distances, jammed roads)..,so we took on the challenge of offering an all-terrain vehicle that was less complex but still reliable and affordable, that combined the design of a real 4×4 with the comfort of a saloon, it’s a very popular concept specially following the world economic crisis, which hit household budgets hard and made many people think twice before buying a new car”

Benoit Turibe, Marketing Director of Renault GCC, added,  “Duster is enjoying great success everywhere, since it has gone on sale it achieved more than 280,000 units worldwide, it’s present in Europe, Africa, India, South and Latin America. Duster has received more than ten awards from the international trade press. These include the “2011 4×4 of the Year” prizes in France and Argentina, “2011 Car of the Year” in Croatia and Russia, the “Autobest 2011″ prize in Germany and the “Golden Steering Wheel” award in Romania. We took our time to test the New Renault Duster under GCC conditions in order to offer our customer the best level of quality. With its shockingly affordable price tag and its inner qualities, we expect the New Renault Duster to have the same success in this region as it has every where else. ”

NEW RENAULT DUSTER, A VERSATILE AND STYLISH VEHICLE

The New Renault Duster was designed to be versatile and to provide the driver and occupants with the same reassuring ride when it is driven in and about town, on trunk roads and motorways, or when taken off-road.

The New Renault Duster also boasts a spacious, comfortable interior and a high standard of safety.

Roomy, safe and stylish SUV…

Today’s all-terrain vehicles are often synonymous with bulk, but the New Renault Duster is an antidote to that idea. With a length of 4.31 metres and a width of 1.82 metres, the New Renault Duster is very compact but roomy.

The New Renault Duster offers an unmistakably 4x4 plus a 4x2 version. From the front, it exudes an impression of toughness: the wide wheel-arches, the imposing lines of the chrome grille and the sump guard clearly emphasise the 4x4 DNA of the New Renault Duster. Seen from the side, the high ground clearance, clearly defined wheel-arches and protective mouldings encourage the driver to tackle even the toughest roads and tracks.

Cabin space worthy of a family saloon Despite its compact footprint, the New Renault Duster is a very spacious car, with five people able to travel in total comfort. Rear passenger headroom (seat cushion to roof) is 895mm, knee room is 183mm and elbow room amounts to 1,438mm, enabling it to comfortably seat three adults at the rear, where there is also ample space to fit child seats.

Depending on version, the New Renault Duster benefits from up to 475dm³ VDA of boot space, which is also very competitive. The practical, modular interior includes a folding rear bench seat, with a 60/40-split function available on certain versions. With the rear bench seat fully folded, carrying capacity is extended to up to 1,636dm³ VDA (depending on version).

There are several pack options available on the New Renault Duster,” The Modularity Pack” on the PE version is meant to enhance the driver’s comfort, as it contains 1/3 - 2/3 split folding rear bench seat, height adjustable driver's seat, height adjustable (tilt) steering wheel and height adjustment on front seatbelts.

“The Safety Pack” on the PE version is made to keep every Renault Duster passenger safe as it has ABS with Emergency Brake Assist, front passenger airbag (deactivatable), front side airbags and unlock alarm (visual and audible) on front passenger seatbelt.

And for an enhanced appearance the New Renault Duster offers the “Exterior Look Pack” on the SE version; it has  satin chrome door mirrors, satin chrome longitudinal roof rails, front/ rear skid plate add-ons with satin chrome appearance paint, side skirt cover with satin chrome appearance paint, extra tinted rear windows, rear quarter glass and rear windscreen. 

SE version comes with “Safety Pack” and has front side airbags and pyrotechnic pretensioners on the front seatbelts. It also has a “Leather Safety Pack” with dark leather seats with front side airbags and pyrotechnic pretensioners on the front seatbelts.

A comprehensive range of accessories (including wing extenders, broad side protectors for doors, lateral bars…) will complete this selection of packs.

Inside, the PE trim level is clad with Grey Carbon fabric upholstery, with Dark Carbon trim on the steering wheel, gear knob insert and handbrake console. The central front panel, air vent surrounds and front door handles are in Star Grey tone.

The SE trim level fabric upholstery is Shiny Brown with Shiny Brown accents on the steering wheel, handbrake console, central front panel, air vent surrounds and front door handles. There are Shiny Brown decorative strips on the front door panels. The gear knob insert on the SE is in satin chrome finish.

The New Renault Duster’s dashboard is modern, uncluttered and functional. Particular attention has been paid to its ergonomics to ensure that the controls are conveniently positioned and that driving data is easy to read.

… With genuine go-anywhere ability

The New Renault Duster was designed to cope with all types of road and track, all over the world. In order to meet these wide-ranging needs, The New Renault Duster will be available in both 4x4 6-speed MT and 4x2 4-speed AT versions. The 4x2 4-speed AT version has been designed for customers who want good ground clearance and a reassuring elevated driving position, as well as loose-surface ability, but who don't have a real need for all-wheel drive.

The strengthened underside of the New Renault Duster is suitable for loose-surfaces and all-terrain use thanks to:

- High ground clearance of 205mm for the 4x2 4-speed AT version in the urban environment and an equally useful 210mm for the 4x4 6-speed MT version,

- Short overhangs (822mm at the front, 820mm at the rear),

- Best in class clearance angles (30 degrees for approach angle; 24 degrees ramp break over angle for  the 4x2 4-speed AT version and 22 degrees for the 4x4 6-speed MT version;  36 degrees departure angle for the 4x2 4-speed AT version and 35 degrees for the 4x4 6-speed MT version).

The New Renault Duster is a vehicle that is easy to use. Combined with compact dimensions, this ensures that the New Renault Duster is particularly agile.

The New Renault Duster is built on the B0 platform which is widely acclaimed for its strength, reliability and durability.

At the front, the suspension is MacPherson-type with rectangular lower arm and anti-roll bar.

At the rear, the suspension on the 4x4 6-speed MT version  is  MacPherson-type with multi-link, while  the rear suspension on the 4x2  4-speed AT  version comprises of a  flexible H-beam with spiral springs it’s strong and permits a large boot, which is a key consideration for our customers.

Both solutions deliver a comfortable ride and allow high ground clearance.

The New Renault Duster 4x4 6-speed MT version is equipped with a new six-speed gearbox with a short first ratio (5.79kph per 1,000 rpm) which allows the vehicle to travel at very slow speed on uneven terrain, and improves performance as you pull away from standstill with heavy loads or on steep slopes.

This simple, efficient and economical solution was favoured in order to meet the needs of Renault Duster customers.

The TL8 gearbox offers:

- optimized output thanks to a single gearbox and module architecture which limits the number of gears engaged, and thanks to the use of a low-viscosity lubricant;

- compactness: gearbox and gearshift module are positioned alongside each other with a view to freeing up cabin space and keeping interior roominess;

- controlled mass: on the TL8 gearbox, the short first gear, instead of a transfer box, optimizes the number of gears engaged (and thus the mass) for a maximum level of performance;

- a solution to keep the cost down : the TL8 gearbox is derived from the TL4 gearbox which is produced in high volume within the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

The 4x4 control located on the lower part of the centre console allows drivers of the New Renault Duster 4x4 to easily adapt the vehicle’s configuration to their needs.

This control permits three modes:

- In AUTO mode, the front/rear torque split is calculated automatically as a function of available grip. This mode has been developed to provide the best compromise between road holding and traction, no matter what the level of grip may be. In normal conditions, the torque is transmitted through the front wheels only. If traction is lost, or when grip is at a premium, some of the torque is transferred to the rear wheels. This split is performed by an electromagnetic torque converter supplied by Nissan.

- In LOCK mode, the driver electronically locks the transmission in 4x4 mode. In this mode, throttle control and braking are also adapted for 4x4 use. This mode is recommended when grip is low (snow, mud, dirt, sand) and at low speed.

- In 2WD mode, the transmission is locked into two-wheel drive. This mode is suited to driving on good roads and reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

NEW RENAULT DUSTER, SUV STYLE AND ABILITIES WITH SALOON COMFORT

The New Renault Duster's occupants will appreciate the high standard of travelling comfort it provides, whatever the type of road or terrain, thanks to its high ride-height (205mm in 4x2 4-speed AT version and 210mm in 4x4 6-speed MT version) and specific work on its suspension (damper travel, springs and calibration). Comfort is further enhanced by the New Renault Duster's long wheelbase (2.67m) and big 16-inch wheels, alloy wheels are available.

Drivers enjoy a reassuring, high-up seating position which gives them better visibility of potential hazardous situations, while all versions are equipped with safe, precise power steering that delivers a good standard of driving pleasure. Depending on trim level, the driver's seat comes with height adjustability to help find the ideal driving position. Drivers are also pampered by the height-adjustable steering wheel (Depending on trim level) and user-friendly steering wheel-mounted controls.

Thermal comfort has been engineered to meet the challenge of the GCC punishing climate. Particular care has been taken with the routing of ducts to ensure fast cooling after starting in extreme heat.

NEW RENAULT DUSTER: ECONOMICAL AND RELIABLE

Reliable, fuel-efficient engines

The 4x2 4-speed AT and 4x4 6-speed MT versions of The New Renault Duster can be ordered with a 2.0 16V Petrol 135 hp petrol engine, which has already proven itself under the bonnets of numerous other models produced by the Renault group.

This engine delivers less than 200g/ Km of CO2 emission it has low running costs, strength and easy maintenance that Renault customers seek.

The 4x2 4-speed AT version is available in two trim levels, the entry PE and the upper SE. The 4x4 6-speed MT version is available in the upper SE trim level to enhance the off-road versatile driving experience for keen customers.

Reliability and strength in the conception

Like all the vehicles based on the B0 platform, the New Renault Duster has been engineered to deliver the Renault Brand's hallmark strength and reliability.

Particular attention has been paid to anti-corrosion protection thanks to several measures:

- wax-injected underbody and opening panel hollow sections,

- mastic sealing of exterior joints,

- additional wax treatment of underbody mechanical components,

- stone chip protection for underbody, sills and wheel arches.

The 4x4 running gear uses tried and tested components, sourced from the Renault- Nissan Alliance (Nissan rear axle and coupling, new six-speed TL8 gearbox derived from the TL4 gearbox that has been well-proven in the Renault and Nissan ranges).

In order to underline its high build quality, new Renault Duster is backed up by a standard manufacturer’s warranty of up to three years or 100,000km, whichever comes first across the GCC.

 

The New Renault Duster’s price is THE very catchy selling point all over the region. As an example, the price in Dubai starts from AED 48,600 for the entry level model.