Renault India has
introduced a new RxZ Plus variant for its bestselling Duster SUV. The variant
offers all the features available on the RxZ variant but does away with the
rear air-con unit. The new variant is priced Rs 5000 cheaper than the top spec
Duster variant. This variant comes with all features available on the
top-end RxZ variant but does away with the rear air-con unit. According
to some dealers, this variant was introduced after taking feedback from
customers as there was not much space left for the second row middle passenger
due to the rear air-con unit taking up most of it. Renault
has priced the Duster RxZ Plus diesel at Rs 12.13 lakh (ex-showroom,Delhi)
which is Rs 5,000 less than the Duster RxZ Option Pack trim (Rs 12.18 lakh
ex-showroom, Delhi) that comes with leather seats and satellite navigation
system as well. 
The
Duster is an extremely important model for Renault to be a success in India. It
is Renault's fourth model in India and launched in 2012, it has met with a huge
response. In pictures it looks much bigger than its 4.3 metre length and thanks
to many details it looks like a pure SUV. Details like the big flared wheel
arches, roof rails, 16 inch alloys and squared off styling. Renault have done
some minute changes to make it look plusher compared to the Duster’s available
in rest of the world. The front is simple with a big chrome finished Renault
grille and square head lamps while the more sculpted rear looks more appealing
with its big Duster badging. The interior is conservative yet cheerful and
spacious.The dashboard is clutter free and when it comes to space the headroom
and legroom are excellent. Passengers at the rear will find the seats comfy and
providing excellent headroom and legroom. Storage is also taken care off with a
big glove-box, plethora of cup-holders and an adequate 475 litre boot. There
are three engine choices- two diesels and one petrol.
The
petrol is a 1.6-litre unit generating 102bhp of power @ 5850 RPM. While it will
score on smoothness, refinement and low initial cost, it goes without saying
that the diesel engines will sell like hot cakes- the one to watch out for and
certainly a potential best-seller is the 84Bhp mid-level oil-burner variant. It
is the similar to 1.5-litre K9K powerplant and Renault is offering it in two
different avatars. You get 84bhp @ 4750 RPM and the other more powerful one
makes 109bhp @ 3900 RPM on the top end version. figures- 20.46 kmpl and 19.01
kmpl for the diesels and 13.24 kmpl for the petrol. The suspension manages to
be comfortable without being too soft to spoil the handling dynamics. The electro-hydraulic
steering does feel a bit heavy at times and the stitching on the wheel can
become reason for injury. The handling and ride are class benchmarks now and
blows away other similarly priced rivals. The stability at high speeds is
decent too! Duster in three trim levels, RxE, RxL and RxZ. Mind you the 102bhp
petrol and the 84bhp diesel will only be available in the RxE and RxL variants,
while the top of the line RxZ will come only in the 109bhp diesel. The starting
price of Rs 7.19 lakh ex-showroom for the base petrol variant to 11.2akhs for
the top diesel variant (ex-showroom). The top version is loaded with
features like USB/AUX and Bluetooth. The equipment levels on the Duster
are very good as you also get keyless entry, ABS with Brake Assist & EBD,
dual front Airbags, satellite Audio & phone control, rear defogger, rear
wiper & washer, electrically adjustable ORVMs, rear parking sensors, rear
AC and leather upholstery. This is an SUV that is all about value and the sales
figures show that how we were starved for a decent SUV that also drives well
and looks good.
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