The Renault Duster Thread

Renault Duster 4x4: What to expect?

The new Renault Duster range has arrived in South Africa, but the flagship 4x4 derivative has not joined the line-up... yet. Here's what you can expect when it arrives in early 2019.

The new Renault Duster has been well received since it was launched in South Africa at the end of September 2018. However, the eagerly anticipated flagship 4x4 derivative will only be making landfall in 2019. We can bring you some details regarding its 4x4 credentials.

The Renault Duster 4x4 will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine that develops peak outputs of 80 kW and 250 Nm of torque. Power will go to all 4 wheels by default, with the vehicle deciding which axle requires power and torque. At the turn of a rotary dial located between the driver and passenger seats, you can choose between a pure 2-wheel drive mode, as well a 4-Wheel Drive Lock mode, which splits the torque equally between the front and back axles. There's no low-range transfer case, but we reckon the first gear ratio should be sufficient for mild off-road conditions.

Furthermore, the top-of-range Duster will offer 210 mm of ground clearance, plus approach and departure angles of 30 and 33 degrees respectively. Renault has fitted the new Duster 4x4 with Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist. Inside the Duster 4x4's cabin, you will notice a 4x4 monitor which boasts a compass and vehicle angle data. Final specification and price will be announced at the vehicle's launch in 2019.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/renault-duster-4x4-what-to-expect/45894/

 
Dacia set to drop Renault badge

Design boss calls for complementary 'sensual' Renault and 'Germanic' Dacia brands

Renault’s design boss, Laurens van den Acker, says the firm will phase out the use of Renault-badged Dacia models in certain markets – a move that he says will free up the Romanian brand’s cars to take on more individual designs.

Dacia models such as the Duster, Logan, Sandero Stepway and Dokker are sold as Renaults in markets such as Russia, Mexico, South Africa and India.

“My goal is to have a unique global Renault line-up,” said van den Acker. “Cars that are Renault derivatives of Dacias, I want that to stop.

“I can’t argue with the business sense to do it, because Renaults were expensive for some markets and Dacias were relatively modern cars that were reliable and affordable, so we rebadged them. It helped us gain a foot in those markets. But now we start to sell more cars in markets such as Russia, we will start to differentiate.”

The Russian-market Kaptur – which looks similar to the Captur SUV but is a larger car built on a Duster platform – was the first Renault developed specially for emerging markets, followed by the recently unveiled Arkana crossover.

The one Renault-badged Dacia that will remain is the Duster because it is one of the firm’s bestselling cars in most markets, said van den Acker. The second-generation Duster is currently being introduced around the world.

Van den Acker added that phasing out Renault-badged Dacia models will further liberate the design of future Dacias. He said that the “next-generation Dacia is going to be great”, adding: “We’ll try to be clever. I’m pushing Renault to be very Latin and sensual, and Dacia to be Germanic and robust. This strategy is working great for us.”

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/dacia-set-drop-renault-badge

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I drove a DCI Dynamique a few weeks back. It’s definitely a major improvement over the old model :)
 
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Tested: Renault Duster has smartened up but still great value

The original Renault Duster marked a return to a simpler kind of motoring, taking a more attainable, no-nonsense approach to the ever-glamourising SUV market.

The new one that you see here picks up the baton pretty much there, but adds a few refinements as well as some extra glamour on the inside, with a new ‘Prestige’ spec grade adding features that you didn’t find in a Duster before.

But that’s not to say it’s lost touch with what it once was - the range has simply been expanded upwards. You can still buy a 1.6 Expression with ‘steelies’ for R249 900 and there’s a trio of 1.5 dCi Dynamique models retailing for between R282 900 and R321 900, depending on whether you want manual or auto, 2WD or 4WD. But even the new range topping 1.5 dCi Prestige that we have on test here is relatively affordable at R334 900.

As per the previous Duster, you get a lot of SUV for your money at every corner of the range. Consider that the Duster is a similar size to the Nissan Qashqai and Mitsubishi ASX but with more boot space (the Duster offers 478 litres) and at a much lower price.

Stepping into our Duster Prestige test car, the upmarket shift became apparent quite quickly. You enter with a ‘card key’ in your pocket, the vehicle automatically unlocking upon detection, and crank it up with a start button, while the rotary dials for the automatic climate control now have digital readouts and fancy looking metallic trim. This flagship also comes with a Multiview camera that allows you to see in front or to the side or back of the vehicle, and there’s a blind spot warning system to keep you out of harm’s way out on the road.

None of this is groundbreaking stuff, but it’s not what you’re used to finding in a ‘basic’ SUV like the Duster.

The Prestige and Dynamique models also come with Renault’s MediaNav touchscreen infotainment centre, which does the job well enough, but the graphics are looking a bit on the dated side now and there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functionality.

The rest of the cabin is also an improvement on the previous Duster, there’s a bit of spunk in the dashboard design now and the materials and textures, while still hard to the touch, are really not bad. Ergonomics have taken a step in the right direction with steering that now has reach adjustment.

Leather upholstery remains a R10 088 optional extra.

It’s not the quietest cabin in the world, but the noise levels are certainly tolerable, and the driving experience is for the most part pleasant.

The 1.5 dCi turbodiesel makes 80kW and 250Nm in 4x2 EDC and 4x4 manual guises, and 66kW/210Nm in 4x2 manual form. We can’t vouch for the lower-output model, but in 80kW guise it’s more than gutsy enough to move the Duster along briskly and overtake fairly comfortably. It’s frugal too, our car sipping 6.6l/100km in urban traffic and 4.8l/100km during a brief highway run.

The EDC gearbox is not the smoothest operator, and it felt a little jerky at lower speeds. While we’re nitpicking, the steering also feels a bit dead in the centre. The Duster does have a reasonably comfortable ride quality though.

The 1.5 dCi EDC is only available in front-wheel-drive, and the 4x4 model will be available from early next year with a manual gearbox only. If the previous version was anything to go by, then that one will be quite capable off the beaten track. On that note, all Dusters boast a class-leading ground clearance of 210mm.

VERDICT

The new Duster is everything it was and more. Still great value, just smarter looking inside and out, and offering more luxury if you’re willing to stretch a little further up the price ladder. It is not the pinnacle of sophistication, but a good honest deal in an increasingly expensive world.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/road...s-smartened-up-but-still-great-value-18404840

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I’m comparing a new Renault Duster to a used Nissan Qashqai and went to testdrive both this week.
Something I noticed was that the Qashqai’s RPM was around 2000 when travelling 120km/h and the Duster’s was 3000 RPM at 120km/h.
Taking into account that both these cars share the exact 1.5dci engine, does this indicate anything good or bad about either vehicle’s gear ratios? Is the Qashqai better in this regard?
 
Guillaume du Toit said:
I’m comparing a new Renault Duster to a used Nissan Qashqai and went to testdrive both this week.
Something I noticed was that the Qashqai’s RPM was around 2000 when travelling 120km/h and the Duster’s was 3000 RPM at 120km/h.
Taking into account that both these cars share the exact 1.5dci engine, does this indicate anything good or bad about either vehicle’s gear ratios? Is the Qashqai better in this regard?
Click to expand...

Assuming you drove the Manual version of both vehicles.
The Duster has 5 gears vs the Qashqai's 6 gears, here's a nice explanation:
For one, you shift more when driving a 6 speed. The gears on a 6 speed car are a bit more nuanced than a 5 speed. ... It's essentially an overdrive that allows the car to operate at lower RPMs and save fuel. Those are the two biggest differences between 5 and 6 speed manual transmissions.
Click to expand...
https://blog.plymouthrock.com/5-speed-6-speed-manual-transmissions/
 
Assuming used means lowish mileage, go for the Qashqai all day, everyday and twice on Sunday! Better car in all respects. Better safety (6 airbags vs 2) better warranty (6/y/150k vs 5y/150k), way better interior, more refined ride, wider dealer network etc.Just lacks nav, but who needs nav with a smartphone these days. Duster is a nice car but there is better pre owned value.
 
XPD said:
Assuming used means lowish mileage, go for the Qashqai all day, everyday and twice on Sunday! Better car in all respects. Better safety (6 airbags vs 2) better warranty (6/y/150k vs 5y/150k), way better interior, more refined ride, wider dealer network etc.Just lacks nav, but who needs nav with a smartphone these days. Duster is a nice car but there is better pre owned value.
Click to expand...
Hi XPD, this is what I’m comparing:
Duster 1.5dci, 2017 model, 20 000km for R190k vs Qashqai 1.5dci, 2015 model, 70 000km for R215k.
I’m leaning towards the Duster because of the much larger boot (the Qashqai has a full spare wheel which kills the boot), and the Duster has leather seats while the Qashai doesn’t. Both have towbars.
Both warrantees will end more or less the same time.
Going Duster will save about R800pm over 60 months.
The car will be used mostly in Gauteng so dealer network wont be an issue.
Tough decision! Head says Duster, Heart screams Qashqai.
 
Guillaume du Toit said:
Hi Sumen, thank you for the reply. I initially had similar thoughts, but both vehicles have 6 gear manual transmissions.
Click to expand...
Ok, I thought you was talking about current gen Duster which has a 5 speed.

It could be that it has being tuned that way.
 
Guillaume du Toit said:
Hi XPD, this is what I’m comparing:
Duster 1.5dci, 2017 model, 20 000km for R190k vs Qashqai 1.5dci, 2015 model, 70 000km for R215k.
I’m leaning towards the Duster because of the much larger boot (the Qashqai has a full spare wheel which kills the boot), and the Duster has leather seats while the Qashai doesn’t. Both have towbars.
Both warrantees will end more or less the same time.
Going Duster will save about R800pm over 60 months.
The car will be used mostly in Gauteng so dealer network wont be an issue.
Tough decision! Head says Duster, Heart screams Qashqai.
Click to expand...

In this case I would go Duster then. Thought it was just one year model and a few thousand KM diff but it’s a much wider gap. What’s the insurance like on both?
 
Anyone on the coast got this new pile of rust?
They are good cars but here they are just a bucket of rust (Previous Version)
Have friends that got the Duster and struggle with Renault with big rust problems with Renault just giving excuses and skipping the problem. I am thinking of getting one but the big problem as said is the coast rust problem with these cars.
End up with a engine and a rust heap.
 
Sugarman said:
Anyone on the coast got this new pile of rust?
They are good cars but here they are just a bucket of rust (Previous Version)
Have friends that got the Duster and struggle with Renault with big rust problems with Renault just giving excuses and skipping the problem. I am thinking of getting one but the big problem as said is the coast rust problem with these cars.
End up with a engine and a rust heap.
Click to expand...

Buy a brown one. Problem solved
 
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