Road testing of the second-gen Renault Duster in Brazil has commenced, spy shots published by Carsale show. The new generation Renault Duster was introduced in November last year.

The all-new Renault Duster is not a radical departure from its predecessor. At the front, the all-new Renault Duster has new chrome-finish radiator grille designed with inspiration from the Renault Alaskan’s piece, sleeker headlamps with LED DRLs, a more horizontal bonnet with sculpted crease lines and a larger, satin-chrome-finish skid plate.


On the sides, the redesigned Renault Duster looks sportier thanks to the steeply raked windscreen that is positioned 100 mm further ahead, a higher beltline and the larger 17-inch wheels. At the rear, the SUV has broad haunches, squarish tail lamps with Dacia’s signature lighting signature – four red stacked squares – and wider, satin-chrome-finish skid plate.

Inside, an all-new dashboard, a higher-positioned central display, stylish rectangular air vents, new seats and new adjustable headrests are some of the main changes. Renault claims that improved soundproofing has halved the cabin noise. Key comfort and convenience features include keyless entry, remote engine start, engine start-stop button, height (40 mm) and reach (50 mm) adjustment for the steering wheel and an automatic climate control system with rotary controls and multi-view camera (around view monitor). New electric power steering has made manoeuvring easier. Renault has added curtain airbags, Blind Spot Warning and automatic headlights to the safety features.


The second-gen Renault Duster comes with a choice of five engines, two petrol and three diesel. The 1.6L SCe 115 is the base petrol engine. It is coupled to either a manual transmission or a CVT, and available in 2WD and 4WD models. The second petrol engine is the 2.0L 16V 145 unit, which is available only with an automatic transmission and only in a 4WD model. 1.5L dCi 85, 1.5L dCi 90 and 1.5L dCi 110 are the diesel engine options. These engines are paired with a manual transmission as standard, but an EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission is available optionally with the 1.5L dCi 110 diesel engine. The 1.5L dCi 110 diesel engine is the only diesel engine available in a 4WD model, and that too only with the standard, manual transmission.

In Brazil, the all-new Renault Duster is expected to debut at the 2018 Sao Paulo Auto Show in November and go on sale in early 2019. There’s no word on when the second-gen Duster will hit the Indian market.