Chennai: After a long hiatus that felt almost like a sabbatical in the Himalayas, Renault has officially brought back its most iconic SUV — the Duster. And this time, it hasn’t just returned; it has levelled up in every possible way.
Unveiled at a first-of-its-kind mega event at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, in front of a roaring crowd of over 15,000 fans and the legendary ‘Gang of Dusters’ community, the new-generation Renault Duster marks the brand’s big comeback moment in India. Consider this Renault saying, “I’m back, and I brought tech.”
The new Duster is also the first product reveal under Renault’s International Game Plan 2027, making it the opening chapter of Renault’s renewed India story.
The Comeback Nobody Asked For… But Everyone Wanted
The original Duster practically invented the affordable SUV dream for Indian buyers. It went places most sedans wouldn’t dare and survived roads that still don’t exist on Google Maps. Now, the 2026 Duster returns with the same rugged soul, but wrapped in modern design, connected tech, hybrid power and enough features to make premium SUVs nervous.
Fabrice Cambolive, Chief Growth Officer of Renault Group, summed it up best:
“India is now a key pillar of our global strategy. The new Duster is the first step in Renault’s renewal in India.”
Translation: Renault isn’t just visiting India anymore, it’s planning to move in.
Made for India, Tested for Mars (Almost)
Built on the all-new Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), the new Duster is 90% India-specific, engineered for extreme conditions — from -23°C to 55°C, tested at 18,379 feet altitude, and validated for over 1 million kilometres of endurance.
It’s also engineered for 5-star safety standards, because adventure is fun only when you come back safe.
Three Engines, One Attitude
Renault has gone full buffet mode with powertrain options:
Turbo TCe 160
163 PS, 280 Nm — the most powerful petrol Duster ever. Comes with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed wet-clutch DCT for fast, smooth shifts.
Turbo TCe 100
A smart, accessible turbo petrol for everyday SUV buyers.
Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 (First in segment)
A 1.8L petrol engine + 1.4 kWh battery delivering up to 80% electric driving in city conditions. Basically, your daily commute just became mostly silent.
Exterior: Looks Like It Lifts, Even When Parked
The new Duster looks like it’s ready to climb Everest straight from the parking lot:
- 212 mm ground clearance
- 26.9° approach & 34.7° departure angles
- Full LED lighting, bold grille with yellow accents
- Massive 18-inch diamond-cut alloys
- New exclusive colour: Mountain Jade Green, inspired by Himalayan forests
In short: it’s rugged, muscular and photogenic enough for Instagram reels.
Interior: Fighter Jet, But With Ventilated Seats
Step inside and Renault calls it fighter-jet inspired — which means you sit high, controls are angled towards you, and everything feels driver-centric.
Highlights include:
- 10.1-inch OpenR Link infotainment with Google built-in
- Google Maps, Assistant, Play Store (100+ apps)
- 10.25-inch digital driver display
- Electric panoramic sunroof
- Ventilated, electric front seats
- Dual-zone climate control
- 48-colour ambient lighting
Yes, this Duster has more tech than your first smartphone.
Google Is Literally Built In
For the first time in a mass-market SUV in India, Renault offers native Google integration. You log in with your Google account, and the car remembers:
- Your navigation preferences
- Your ADAS settings
- Your drive modes
So the Duster doesn’t just start when you enter — it recognises you.
And yes, Google Assistant will soon upgrade to Gemini AI. The Duster will literally talk smarter than most people on group chats.
ADAS, But Without Annoying You
The new Duster gets 17 ADAS features, but here’s the clever part — you can choose which ones you want. No forced nanny systems. Your preferences are saved to your profile.
Renault calls it “assistance that supports, not nags”. Indian drivers call it “finally”.
Seven-Year Warranty Because Roads Are Still Roads
Under the Renault Forever program, the new Duster comes with:
- Up to 7-year / 1.5 lakh km warranty
- Enhanced service support
- Long-term ownership assurance
Basically, Renault is confident this Duster will outlive your EMI tenure.
Pricing, Bookings & When You Can Actually Drive It
Pre-bookings are open via R Pass for ₹21,000, which offers:
- Special introductory pricing
- Priority delivery
- Exclusive merchandise
- Factory visit experience
Prices will be announced mid-March 2026.
Deliveries begin April 2026.
Hybrid deliveries start Diwali 2026.
The SUV That Made SUVs Cool Is Cool Again
The new Renault Duster is not just a relaunch — it’s a full-blown reboot. It keeps the original DNA of ride quality and off-road credibility, but adds hybrids, Google, ADAS, fighter-jet interiors and a Himalayan colour palette.
In simple terms:
Old Duster went off-road. New Duster goes off-road — and then uploads it to Google Maps in real time.
Renault is officially back in India. And this time, it didn’t come alone — it brought the legend with it.
