Automobile Desk – In view of the ever increasing demand for SUVs in the Indian automobile market, French car manufacturer Renault has made full preparations to return in a new and aggressive avatar. To once again establish its dominance on Indian roads, the company is building its entire strategy around hybrid technology.
The direct competition will be from giants like Hyundai and Toyota, which have maintained a strong hold on India's medium and premium SUV segment. Renault's main plan is to launch a complete range of vehicles based on petrol and hybrid powertrains, which will give Indian customers a new option without compromising on mileage or power.
The main basis of this entire new strategy will be the new incarnation of Renault's most popular vehicle 'Duster'. The new generation Duster is being built exclusively in India on Renault-Nissan's advanced RGMP (Renault Group Modular Platform) architecture. This new platform is very flexible, which will make it very easy for the company to fit petrol as well as strong hybrid engines in it.
If sources and reports are to be believed, a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine can be seen in the new Duster Hybrid, which will be paired with two electric motors and a 1.4kWh battery. One of these electric motors will work to start the engine and generate electricity like a generator, while the other motor will supply power directly to the wheels. This entire setup together will have the ability to generate tremendous power of about 160hp and torque of 172Nm. If these figures hit the roads in this form, the Duster will become one of the most powerful and fuel-efficient vehicles in its segment.
Renault does not plan to be limited to just Duster. Keeping in mind the needs of Indian families and the demand for larger size vehicles, the company is also working on a plan to bring a 3-row (three rows) 7-seater SUV. This large SUV will also be based on the RGMP platform and many of its parts and features will be shared with the Duster.
Although the company has not yet announced its official name for India, there is a lot of discussion in the auto circles about names like Bigster and Boreal. The same 1.8-litre strong hybrid engine found in the Duster is also likely to be used in this big SUV.
Apart from this, Renault is also going to equip small segment SUVs with hybrid technology in its future plans. A new SUV named Bridger can be introduced in the Indian market around the year 2027, after which its hybrid version is expected to be launched in the market by 2028 or 2029. A 1.2-litre turbo-petrol hybrid engine can be provided in this model, which will attract entry-level SUV customers.
If seen, Renault now seems to be fully prepared to play a long innings in India. With the upcoming Duster Hybrid, 7-seater SUV and compact models, the company not only wants to regain its lost market share but also seems to be in a mood to directly challenge the hybrid dominance of Toyota and Hyundai.
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