Renault Duster Sandstorm comes equipped with several cosmetic upgrades and added interior features to lure in customers ahead of the festive season
We reported earlier that Renault was preparing to launch a special edition of the Duster SUV in India and it has now entered the Indian market in two trims. Christened as the Renault Duster Thunderstorm, it has arrived with several cosmetic upgrades compared to the regular model. Renault expects to see a sales boost thanks to the special edition model that would be sold in limited numbers.
The RXS Diesel 85 PS Sandstorm edition is offered at introductory price of Rs. 10,90,400 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and the RXS Diesel 110 PS Sandstorm edition is made available at an attractive introductory price of Rs. 11,70,400 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Renault Duster Sandstorm comes with five-speed and six-speed manual transmission and is available in two-wheel drive configuration.
Also read: Renault Kwid 02 Anniversary Edition Launched; Prices Start From Rs. 3.43 Lakh
Bookings for the new Duster Sandstorm have commenced and it can be ordered at the dealerships or through the Renault Duster App that can be downloaded from the Google Playstore. It is be sold in three different colour choices namely Outback bronze, Moonlight Silver and Slate Grey.
The exterior additions include a new matt black front armour with Duster branding and lamps and is said to maintain the robust appeal of the notorious SUV. The bold graphics is another standout feature of this special edition with the striking Sandstorm decals applied on the bonnet, doors, tailgate and wing mirrors.
The front grille has become more rugged with shiny black front grille while the New style ZODIAC 16-inch machined alloys and the body-coloured outside door handle finish accentuate the sporty stance of the SUV. Inside the cabin, the Renault Duster Sandstorm Edition gains exclusive touches as well to go in line with the exterior.
The interior colour harmony has a black and grey theme while the centre fascia is finished in dark chrome along with shiny black door trim decorative strip and grab handle as well as door handle finished in black. The exclusive Sandstorm brand is given to the new seat covers and floor mat set. Other important features are a seven-inch touchscreen display and dual front airbags.
Also read: Renault Sales Slumped By 26.1% In August; Can Captur Turn Around Fortunes?
The visual enhancements will certainly increase the style and appeal of the Duster. However, there would be no change in powertrain. The announcement comes just a few weeks after the French automaker launched the Kwid 02 Anniversary Edition in the country.
Renault has faced a sales slump in August 2017. It’s sales dropped by 26.1% last month compared to the same month last year and it was the most hit brand in the country despite the industry registered 13.3% YoY growth. The automaker is heavily relying on the upcoming Captur that will arrive very soon. Apart from that, Renault is also focusing on boosting sales by launching some special edition models ahead of the festive season.
The company is also expected to offer exciting discounts on its cars to lure the buyers. Meanwhile, the Duster lineup is likely to be trimmed down in order to make space for the upcoming Captur that will be the flagship SUV from the brand in India upon arrival.
Renault Duster is sold in both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol model draws energy from a 1.5-litre engine that generates 106 PS of peak power and 142 Nm of peak torque. This engine is available with a 5-speed manual gearbox and there is a CVT on offer as well.
The diesel model gets a 1.5-litre motor that kicks out power and torque output in two different states of tune. One variant delivers 85 PS of peak power and 210 Nm of peak torque, while the other one returns 110 PS of peak power and 250 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options for the diesel powered model include a 5-speed MT, 6-speed MT and an AMT gearbox.
Renault Duster Gallery
