The Dacia, which is a subsidiary brand of the Renault, has proclaimed that its SUV Duster has crossed the milestone figure of 3 lakh unit sales across the globe. The main target audience for Renault’s Duster in the European market were the status conscious so-called ostentatious class which made the SUV unaffordable for the middle class European. The tried and tested components from the parent firm Renault are being used by Dacia to construct the Renault Duster SUV. The SUV is built upon the B-Platform of Renault that has sent out many models of Renault-Nissan joint venture such as the Logan, Cilo and Moduc etc.
This helps Dacia to maintain the production at a low cost since its complete line of production is founded on the platform of Renault. This is a perfect example of utilizing the top notch components to manufacture affordable cars by the low cost Dacia brand. At present the SUV Duster has both the Renault’s diamond long and Dacia emblem adorning its exterior. To be more precise, only 2,65,000 units of SUV Duster has the badging of Dacia.
Renault intends to magnify the volume of Duster in the Automobile world where it would launch in the United Kingdom and in the Indian car market this year. The RHD version of the Renault Duster will be assembled in Renault’s Chennai based facility to be exported to the United Kingdom while the Indian automobile market will get the Duster with the Renault badge. Till now Renault has put in close to 290 million Euros in the manufacture related operations of Dacia Duster that has been designed at Pitesti in Romania.
As per the rumours, the Dacia/Renault Duster is scheduled to be launched in India sometime in the month of April-May 2012. It’s a sporty looking and low cost SUV in the world. The speculated specification of this vehicle makes it appear very handy and affordable. The petrol variant of Renault Duster has a 1598cc engine that pumps out 105 bhp of power at 5750 rpm with a peak torque of 148 Nm at 3750 rpm. The engine has been mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The diesel version has a 1461cc engine that produces 110 bhp at 4000 rpm along with ah peak torque of 240Nm at 1750 rpm, which has been mated with a six-speed manual transmission. Withthese kinds of engines beneath the hood and a body that measures 4315mm in length, 1822mm in width and 1625mm in height with a wheelbase of 2673mm, the Duster certainly makes for an attractive SUV to have.
With an option of four-wheel or two-wheel drive the customer gets the best in SUV here. Nissan’s technology of four-wheel drive lets the driver choose from three variety of driving modes. The Duster isa bit less in size compared to the Mahindra Scorpio,but it can accommodate five passengers comfortably.
