By the end of this week, the French automaker Renault will be launching the strong-hybrid version of the new Duster in India. It will be officially launched on October 17. The upcoming Duster E-Tech 160 will get the biggest engine ever offered on the Duster. It will be the 1.8-litre petrol engine that will come paired with two electric motors. Now, despite having the largest engine, the new Duster will also be the most fuel-efficient version of the SUV yet, with a claimed mileage of 29 kmpl.
The new Renault Duster Hybrid will use a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, and it will come paired with two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery pack. The hybrid system produces a combined power of 160 PS and 172 Nm of torque. It will also be the first version of the new-generation Duster in India to use a strong-hybrid powertrain. Currently, the existing versions are offered with turbo-petrol engines.
What is interesting is that the 1.8-litre engine will not only be the biggest engine offered on the Duster, but it will also help the SUV deliver a claimed fuel efficiency of 29 kmpl. This makes it the most fuel-efficient Duster, according to Renault’s claimed figures. The new powertrain will also offer considerably more power than the strong-hybrid versions of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Suzuki Victoris, which produce around 116 PS.
Another interesting aspect of the new Duster Hybrid is its eight-speed dedicated hybrid transmission. Unlike the e-CVT gearbox used by the Grand Vitara, Hyryder and Victoris strong hybrids, Renault has opted for a transmission with fixed ratios. The system uses one electric motor to drive the wheels.
Meanwhile, the second motor works as a starter-generator. The gearbox then manages how the petrol engine and electric motor deliver power to the wheels. Basically, the Duster Hybrid is expected to feel more like a conventional car which will change the defined ratios instead of delivering the continuously variable response associated with an e-CVT.
However, its actual driving experience will only become clear after the media and dealership test drives commence. Additionally, the electric motors will assist the petrol engine when required and help in improving fuel efficiency, especially in stop-start city traffic.
Another highlight of the Duster E-Tech 160, as mentioned above, is that despite getting the biggest engine ever offered on the Duster, it will offer a claimed fuel efficiency of 29 kmpl. Renault says the SUV can operate in electric mode for up to 80 per cent of city driving. This is possible because the electric motor can take over more frequently at low speeds while crawling in traffic or when the vehicle is coasting.
However, this does not mean that the Duster can cover 80 per cent of every city journey on battery power in one continuous stretch. The SUV will use a self-charging strong-hybrid system. This means that the battery gets charged through the petrol engine and regenerative braking. The petrol engine operates when additional power is required or when the battery needs charging.
The older Renault Duster was offered with a 1.5-litre dCi K9K turbo-diesel engine which made 110 PS and 245 Nm. It was available with manual and AMT gearbox options and had a claimed fuel efficiency of around 20 kmpl.
Compared to the older diesel, the new Duster Hybrid offers a lot more power and a higher claimed fuel efficiency. However, the diesel engine produced more peak torque. The petrol-electric setup is expected to offer better refinement, especially at lower speeds. Meanwhile, the electric motor could help in improving responsiveness.
Feature-wise, the Duster Hybrid is expected to remain similar to the turbo-petrol versions. It will get the same 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It will also be offered with a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, six-way powered and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control and a powered tailgate.
In terms of safety, the SUV is expected to offer Level 2 ADAS, six airbags, electronic stability control, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, a 360-degree camera, hill hold assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system and front and rear parking sensors. The new Duster has also received a five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.
Renault will launch the Duster Hybrid in India on October 17, and bookings are already open for Rs 21,000 through authorised dealerships and the company’s official website. The first batch is expected to reach customers by early November, although official delivery timelines have not been confirmed.
The strong-hybrid version is expected to be priced between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 22 lakh, ex-showroom. Its direct strong-hybrid rivals will include the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.