Production of the Duster SUV in Sriperumbudur has stopped nearly ten years after the first unit was delivered in July 2012. The first mainstream product from a manufacturer in India, the Duster sold close to 40,000 units in its first year of production. The first monocoque midsize SUV, the Duster created the segment of subcompact SUV that was later dominated by Hyundai Creta.
Duster was launched with two powertrains including 1.6-liter petrol and 1.5-liter K9K diesel engines. The Duster AWD diesel variant, introduced in September 2014, was one of many special editions and mechanical updates that led to the SUV selling more than 100,000 units in 2014. Many SUV enthusiasts still prefer the Duster AWD because of its comfortable ride and off-road ability.
AMT gearbox was added to Renault's Duster 2016 facelift to compete with more modern rivals. Later, a petrol CVT version of the Duster was introduced, increasing the lineup's option of transmissions. After the CVT was introduced, the SUV's old 1.6-liter engine was replaced with a newer 1.5-liter naturally aspirated unit.
Renault discontinued the 1.5-liter K9K diesel engine, the 1.5-liter petrol engine with CVT transmission, and the diesel AWD model in 2020.
Duster received a turbo-petrol engine update and a CVT transmission on the turbo-petrol variant a few months later. One of the most powerful midsize SUVs in its class, the Duster's new turbo-petrol engine churned out 156 hp.
With the increased demand for midsize SUVs, Nissan introduced a different-looking Duster version in India called the Nissan Terrano which was sold from 2013 until 2020.
The competent B0 platform of the Renault group underlies the Duster, which in India also underpins the Captur, Terrano, Logan, Verito, Lodgy, and Kicks. Kicks the last model built on this platform in India and is still available for sale.
