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Renault Duster fans in India will need to wait a bit longer, as the highly-anticipated SUV has been delayed. According to Venkatram Mamillapalle, Managing Director of Renault India, an all-new SUV will now debut in 2026 instead of the originally expected 2025 timeline. Here’s everything we know so far about this exciting launch.
Renault’s Upcoming Plans
In a recent statement, Mamillapalle confirmed the company’s roadmap for the Indian market. He stated:“...the latter part of the year will see the introduction of the next-generation Triber and Kiger — vehicles designed to inspire and delight. These launches mark the beginning of a series of innovations, including an all-new SUV scheduled for 2026.”
This statement clarifies Renault’s focus on refreshing its lineup with next-gen versions of the Triber and Kiger, alongside a new SUV in 2026. The teased SUV is widely speculated to be the new-generation Renault Duster, which was showcased in South Africa in November 2024 and teased in March 2024.
What To Expect From The New Renault Duster
Exterior Design
The upcoming Renault Duster is expected to retain its rugged, boxy design that made it popular in India. However, significant updates will make it look more modern and appealing:
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LED Lighting: Full-LED headlights, Y-shaped LED DRLs, and Y-shaped LED tail lights.
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Dual-Tone Alloy Wheels: Rugged dual-tone wheels and squared wheel arches.
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Black Cladding: Enhances its sporty, off-road-ready stance.
Interior Features
The new Duster will likely feature a revamped interior with premium touches:
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Floating Touchscreen: An advanced infotainment system with a sleek, floating design.
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Y-Shaped AC Vents: Consistent with its modern design theme.
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Steering Wheel: A 3-spoke unit with integrated audio and cruise control buttons.
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High-End Features:
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A 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
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7-inch digital driver’s display.
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Wireless phone charger.
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6-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system.
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Cruise control.
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Safety Features
The India-spec Renault Duster is expected to come with a host of safety features, including:
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Six airbags (standard across all variants).
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Electronic parking brake.
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Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
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Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), potentially including lane assist and adaptive cruise control.
Powertrain Options
Internationally, the new Duster is offered with a variety of powertrain options, including hybrid and LPG configurations. Key international specs include:
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1.2-Litre Turbo-Petrol: 130 PS, paired with a 48V mild hybrid system.
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1.6-Litre Petrol Hybrid: 140 PS, coupled with two electric motors and a 1.2kWh battery pack.
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1.2-Litre Petrol-LPG: Producing 100 PS and paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
While these powertrains cater to global markets, specific details about the India-spec Duster’s engines are yet to be confirmed. Updates are expected closer to its 2026 launch.
Pricing and Rivals
The new Renault Duster is anticipated to be priced starting at Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). In the compact SUV segment, it will compete with heavyweights such as:
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Hyundai Creta
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Maruti Grand Vitara
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Honda Elevate
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Skoda Kushaq
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Volkswagen Taigun
The Wait Continues
Although Renault’s fans will need to wait until 2026 for the new Duster, its expected features, modern design, and competitive pricing make it one of the most awaited SUVs in India. How excited are you for the return of this iconic nameplate? Let us know in the comments below!
