The Renault Duster compact SUV has been launched in South Africa and first impressions suggest the little crossover is likely to bolster Renault’s growth spurred on by the new Clio 4.
The Renault Duster is produced in Chennai, India, where it’s built to meet the demands of 3rd world road conditions, while at the same time offering satisfactory levels of comfort. Renault designers have embodied these traits by creating a crossover with flared wheel arches, bold and wide chrome-plated grille, as well as flat surfaces that contribute to the car’s sturdy looks. A choice of ‘Styling’, ‘Touring’, ‘Adventurer’ and ‘Protection’ packs are also available for buyers to add a degree of individuality to their Duster.
Inside, the Renault Duster offers 475-litres of boot space, which can be expanded to 1 636-litres with the sets folded down in a traditional 60:40 ratio split. The seats offer adequate support, with enough head and legroom for the family. The Duster’s plastic dashboard and trim elements make no excuses about their hard-wearing and kiddie-proof intentions, but gloss black elements on the door handles and centre console surround, as well as the two-tone coloured dashboard, do lift the ambience slightly.
Two trim levels are available, namely: Expression and Dynamique. The former includes such standard equipment as: air conditioning; electrically operated windows and side mirrors; a height adjustable steering wheel and driver’s seat; radio/Cd/MP3-player with Aux-In and Bluetooth connectivity; as well as remote central-locking and rear parking sensors. The Dynamique specification adds a satin chrome finish to the exterior mirrors, roof bars, front and rear skid plates, as well as the side skirts. A set of five-spoke, 16-inch, steel wheels round out the Dynamique’s exterior enhancements, while the interior gains a leather steering wheel and the touch-screen navigation system.
The Renault Duster is available with either a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine or a naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre petrol, as well as in 4×2 or 4×4 drivetrains. Renault expects the new 1.5 dCi to account for around 60% of total Duster sales and well they might, as its 80 kW and 240 Nm of torque proved ample on a variety of tarmac, dirt and off-road driving on the Western Cape launch route.
In 4×4 guise, the Duster 1.5 dCi’s peak torque is available from 1 750 r/min and coupled with a short 1st gear ratio of 4.45:1, the Duster 1.5 dCi 4×4 is able to idle along at 5.79 km/h at 1 000 r/min. While the Duster isn’t intended to be a serious off-roader, this low ratio 1st gear goes some way to allowing the vehicle to crawl through, and out of, some tricky obstacles. Coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission, the 1.5 dCi engine delivers a claimed average fuel consumption of 5.5 l/100km with 4×2 or 5.3 l/100km with 4×4.
We didn’t have the chance to sample the 1.6-litre petrol-powered Duster at the launch, however, the 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine promises 75 kW and 145 Nm of torque, with average fuel consumption of 7.5 l/100km.
The Renault Duster 1.5 dCi 4×4 has 210 mm of ground clearance (4×2 has 205 mm), with entry, break-over and departure angles of 30, 23 and 36 degrees respectively. It is also capable of towing a braked trailer of up to 1.5 tons. The 4×4 system works in 2WD, ‘Auto’ or ‘Lock’ modes, allow the control of power and torque to be split between the front and rear axles according to driving conditions.
The Duster rides well thanks to its MacPherson strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension setup. The Duster acquitted itself well over a relatively testing 4×4 course, with the chassis’ rigidity, ground clearance and suspension travel being stand out characteristics. Thrown at a twisting mountain pass, the Duster front and rear tracks (1 560 mm and 1 567 mm) managed more grip and felt a little wider than the figures might suggest.
In terms of safety, the Renault Duster range is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) together with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). Driver and passenger airbags are also standard, as are passenger head/thorax side airbags and height adjustable front safety belts.
The new Renault Duster has a fearless attitude and cheery all-round ability. Its got all the bases covered at an honest price.
| Pricing (Incl. VAT) | |
| Renault Duster 1.6 Expression 4×2 | R194 000 |
| Renault Duster 1.6 Dynamique 4×2 | R204 000 |
| Renault Duster 1.5 dCi Dynamique 4×2 | R219 000 |
| Renault Duster 1.5 dCi Dynamique 4×4 | R239 000 |
Pricing includes a 3-year/45 000km service plan and 5-year/150 000km warranty.
