Dacia Duster

Interior

The Duster was initially introduced in the ice racing version prepared for the Andros Trophy, presented for the first time on 17 November 2009.[7] The production version was revealed to the media on 8 December 2009,[8] and was subsequently launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010.[9]

Based on the B0 platform, the Duster measures 4.31 metres (169.7 in) in length, 1.82 metres (71.7 in) in width and has 210 mm (8.3 in) of ground clearance. Its luggage space has a volume of up to 475 litres (16.8 cu ft), while with the rear benchseat folded and tipped forward, its carrying ability can exceed 1,600 litres (57 cu ft).

The Duster is offered with two-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive. The 4x4 variants make use of Nissan's all-wheel drive system,[10] which allows the driver to choose from three different driving modes: Auto, in which the rear-wheel drive is engaged automatically in case the front wheels lose grip, Lock, whereby 50 per cent of torque is consistently fed through the rear axle, and 2WD where the transmission is locked into front-wheel drive for maximum fuel efficiency.

Facelift

In September 2013, the facelifted Dacia Duster was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The exterior received important changes in the front with a new chromed grille and redesigned headlights, restyled roof bars, new 16-inch wheels and modest modifications in the rear. The interior was also renewed, with design and features similar to those introduced the previous year on the new models in the Dacia line-up.[11][12] A new TCe 125 1.2 liter direct-injection turbo engine was introduced.[13]

Euro NCAP test results
Dacia Duster (2011)[14]
Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	27	74%
Child occupant:	38	78%
Pedestrian:	10	28%
Safety assist:	2	29%

The Dacia Duster features Bosch 8.1 ABS, as well as electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA). It also features electronic stability control (ESC) as an option on certain versions, as well as understeer control (CSV) and traction control (ASR). This option also allows torque to be transferred away from a spinning wheel in 4x4 mode to improve traction when diagonal wheel spin occurs.[15]

On the passive safety front, the Dacia Duster comes as standard with two front airbags (depending on market) and three-point seat belts with load limiters for the front seats. Depending on version, two lateral head/thorax airbags are fitted in addition to the driver and passenger front airbags to provide additional protection in the case of side impact. The pyrotechnic pretensioners for the front seats (depending on version) complete Dacia Duster's retention system.[16]

In 2011, the Duster was tested by the Euro NCAP, receiving a three-star rating. It was awarded 27 points (74%) for the adult occupant protection, 38 points (78%) for the child occupant protection, 10 points (28%) for the pedestrian protection and two points (29%) for the safety assist features. In the latter category, the rating was influenced by the lack of the speed limiter and the fact that the electronic stability control is available only as an option.[14]

Dacia Duster Ambiance (Europe; pre-facelift)

Facelift Dacia Duster (UK)

Dacia Duster is offered in Europe, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco from March 2010, with prices starting from €11,900 (or €10,500 in Romanian domestic market) for the two-wheel drive version, and from €13,900 (or €11,500 in Romanian domestic market) for the 4x4 version.[15][17] From June 2010, the Duster is also available in Ukraine, Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon and in some African countries badged as a Renault, while in 2011, it is sold in the Persian Gulf States.[18]

In 2014, 40% of the Duster units sold worldwide were badged as Dacia and 60% (70% in 2013) as Renault.[19]

Renault Duster (Colombia)

In June 2011, Renault revealed the Duster in South America at the Buenos Aires Motor Show.[20] It will be produced at its Curitiba plant in Brazil for distribution in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, and at the Sofasa plant in Colombia, to be sold in Mexico and Ecuador with marketing planned to start in the last quarter of 2011.[21]

The Duster is manufactured at the Avtoframos plant in Moscow, Russia with about 80,000 annual quantities, being available since 1 March 2012 with prices starting from about $14,400[22] and reaching 200,000 sales in 2.5 years.[23] In June 2015, an updated version of the Duster was launched in Russia with some improved engines and features.

The Dacia brand was launched in 2012 in the UK and broke records since then, especially the Duster.[24] The Duster was named "Scottish Car of the year", "SUV of the year" and "Budget car of the year" by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. In 2012, the Duster was also introduced in Ireland.[25]

Since 2011, the flexi-fuel (ethanol) version is available in several Western European countries, while the Bi-Fuel (LPG) version, an OEM Landi Renzo, is offered in Eastern Europe, Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. As of January 2013, the Bi-Fuel version is also available in France. The Bi-Fuel (LPG) version has proved to be very popular in Poland. Since the Duster's K4M engine has hydraulic lifters, the LPG version needs no regular valve adjustments. As of 2014, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Romania and Luxembourg are the only countries in the European Union where the LPG version is not offered by Dacia.

The Dacia Duster was launched in the UK in 2012, and has received several awards since, including: 2012 Top Gear Bargain of the Year,[26] 2012 Scottish Car of the Year,[27] and 2014 Carbuyer.co.uk Best Small SUV.

The Duster is Dacia's best selling vehicle in the UK, with 20,000 sales as of 2016,[28] from the 70,000 total Dacia sales in the same period.[29]

The Duster was introduced in Russia in 2012, as Renault Duster. Its off-road capabilities for the relatively modest price have made Duster very popular. Initial strong demand has caused preorder waiting times of up to 18 months. In the first half of 2013, Renault Duster sold 40710 units, making it the 4th best-selling car model in Russia overall.[30] The Duster is adapted to the Russian consumers expectations with for example the Renault Start innovative system of remote engine start, useful during the cold days to heat the car's body and engine, which decreases polluting emissions. In June 2015, a renewed version of the Duster was launched in Russia with a new range of more powerful and low-consumption engines,[31] an automatic gearbox, some new options, new interior ergonomics and materials of interior trim, and a new exterior design.[32]

Nissan Terrano (India)

Nissan Terrano (India)

Renault launched the Duster on 4 July 2012 in India, with various modifications for the Indian market. The suspension and the underside of the car were strengthened to increase the car's offroading suitability. The Duster is currently available in ten different variants, out of which eight are diesel and two are petrol. This version has some additional safety features as standard, including door warning lights, central locking and engine protective underguard. It also comes with safety features like Anti-lock Brake System, Emergency Brake Assist, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, stability control module, two front air-bags and three-point seatbelt tensioners features.

Renault India launched the All Wheel Drive (AWD) version of Duster at INR 11.89 lakh. Powering the new Duster AWD is the 1.5-litre diesel engine – which produces 110 bhp, and 248Nm of peak torque – coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. Renault claims a fuel efficiency of 19.72kmpl from this new entrant in the line-up. The all-wheel drive feature of the SUV, can be controlled via a toggle switch, that has three options to choose from – two-wheel drive, automatic, and four-wheel drive which can be manually locked.[33]

Renault introduced the Duster in South Africa in October 2013.[34] The Duster was originally imported from India, where it is also produced under the Dacia brand for other right-hand drive markets, namely the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta.[35] In September 2015, South Africa received the facelifted version of the Duster, with cars being imported from Romania.[36]

It was introduced in 2012 as the Renault Duster, and has been the best selling SUV in the country since then. It is assembled in the plant of SOFASA in Envigado, in four versions:

• 1.6 Expression: It equips driver's airbag and front electric windows. It is powered by a 1.6 16 valve, 110 PS engine. Also equips a 5-speed manual gearbox.
• 2.0 Dynamique: It equips two frontal airbags, rear electric windows, ABS, foglights, leather wheel, electric mirrors and a 6-speed manual gearbox. Also includes GPS system and leather seats as optional.
• 2.0 AT: It has the same equipment as the Dynamique version. Equipes a 4-speed automatic gearbox.
• 2.0 Dynamique 4X4: It is equipped the same as the Dynamique version, but includes 4WD system and black background headlights.

The Duster is exported from Colombia mostly to countries as Mexico, Ecuador and Bolivia. All versions are powered by a 16 valve, petrol engine. Also, since May 2014 it includes Media Nav system with GPS in Dynamique versions as optional.

In October 2015,[37] a special edition called "Dacia Duster Connected by Orange" was released, featuring a Wi-Fi hotspot with a two-year free contract from the mobile operator Orange, a rear-view camera, a new brown paint color, a new version of 16-inch rims and electric-heated front seats.[38]

Renault Duster Oroch 2016

The Renault Duster Oroch is a double cab pick-up version of the Duster. The Duster Oroch is the first Renault-badged pick-up and creates a new range[39] in the pick-up market: 30 cm larger than the small ones and smaller than the large pick-up, but yet with 4 real doors instead of 2 or 3 for the usual smaller pick-up. It was unveiled on 18 June 2015 at the Buenos Aires Motor Show[40] and was previewed by a concept car[41] at the 2014 São Paulo Motor Show.[42]

The Duster Oroch is available since September 2015 in South America and will get an automatic gearbox in 2016.[39] It is powered by either the 1.6 litre or the 2.0 litre petrol engine, mated to 5-speed or 6-speed gearbox respectively.[6]

British motoring journalist Jonny Smith took the Duster on a road test in Morocco for the Fifth Gear TV programme, describing it as "brilliant"; "I really like this". He particularly praised its handling on poorly maintained mountain roads, while commenting on its poor standard of finish.[43][44] Another drive test in Morocco was performed by James May for the Top Gear magazine.[45]

The Dacia Duster was awarded the "Autobest 2011" prize by the members of the Autobest jury, coming from fifteen countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Macedonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and Malta). Ten members of the jury have designated the Duster as the winner, after scoring in 13 criteria such as fuel consumption, versatility, roominess or design. It outran the Renault Fluence, placed third.

The Dacia Duster was nominated among the finalists of the "2011 European Car of the Year" award.[46][47] It received praise for being "a real bargain",[48] "a competent off-roader",[49] as well as "attractive" and "practical".[48]

The Dacia Duster was named the "Scottish Car of the Year 2012" at a ceremony held in Glasgow on 14 October 2012.[50][51] It was also named "The Bargain of the Year 2012" by the Top Gear magazine.[52][53]

In India, the Renault Duster received the "2013 Indian Car of the Year" award from a jury comprising leading automotive magazines of the country.[54]

In April 2019, Renault India had confirmed that the second generation Renault Duster will not be coming to India.[55] This is because the 3rd generation car was not suitable to the Indian technical construction. Therefore, the first generation Duster was extended in production until the third generation Duster launch scheduled for 2023. Therefore, Renault India launched a second facelift for the car, featuring an updated bumper and grille design that slightly mimics the second generation Duster, including a hood cutout to accommodate the Renault logo, reflecting Renault's design language.[56][57] It is offered with a 1.5 L K9K diesel engine until April 2020, when it was discontinued due to the implementation of Bharat Stage 6 emission standards.[58]

Euro NCAP test results
Dacia Duster (2017)[68]
Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	27	71%
Child occupant:	32	66%
Pedestrian:	24	56%
Safety assist:	5	37%

In December 2017, EuroNCAP has published the results for the crash-tests of the second generation model. It received three out of five stars, the result being considered an expected one,[69] although most of its rivals received five stars.[70][71] It was awarded 27 points (71%) for the adult occupant protection, 32 points (66%) for the child occupant protection, 24 points (56%) for the pedestrian protection and five points (37%) for the safety assist features.

In the frontal offset test, the driver received marginal to good protection ratings, while the passenger occupant received adequate to good ratings. In the frontal full width test, the driver's head received a poor protection rating and an adequate to good rating for the rest of the body.[72]

Pedestrian protection was "predominantly good or adequate but poor results were recorded along the base of the windscreen and along the stiff windscreen pillars. The bumper provided good protection to pedestrians'legs and protection of the pelvis was also good at all test locations."[72]

In terms of safety equipment, it was downrated because of the lack of knee airbags, rear side chest airbags, side pelvis airbags, automatic emergency braking system or lane assist system, but it received points for the availability of the speed limiter and the seat belt reminder.[72]

British website carwow has reviewed the car in July 2018. It was criticised for the poor range of equipment in the lowest trim level, considering its price, for its plasticky, dark-coloured and "cheap-feeling" interior, the lack of light for the vanity mirror or the noisy electric motor for the windows.[70] Among the good points there are its accessible folding seats, the rear-view and panoramic cameras, the in-depth-adjustable steering wheel, the good visibility and handling inside town, the soft suspension and the lock mode for the four-wheel-drive. The 1.6-litre petrol engine was considered slow and noisy, and its steering not responsive enough. Overall it was rated as "a good budget buy if you're after something practical and relatively cheap to run", but it was added that "if safety and upmarket features are high on your list of priorities then you might want to look elsewhere".[73]