Renault's Mini Duster To Be Revealed As Bridger Concept: First Pictures Out

The new Renault Duster got a lot of attention when it debuted in India on January 26th. This C-SUV will play a key role in Renault’s revival in India. While the Duster has already created a lot of anticipation, Renault is working on another sub-compact SUV, which when launched, will sit below it in the carmaker’s lineup. First pictures of this SUV have now surfaced. It will make its global debut on March 10th as a concept at the Technocentre in Guyancourt, France. Renault has named it the ‘Bridger concept’.

Renault Bridger: What Do We Know Yet?

The production form of the Bridger concept will be a sub-four metre SUV, aimed primarily at the urban crowd. The teasers reveal an interesting silhouette. The production form will be designed in India. From what is visible in these images, the Bridger concept will spawn a ‘mini Duster’, quite literally.

The idea of mini Duster first made headlines when Fabrice Cambolive, Renault’s chief growth officer and CEO of the Renault brand, spoke exclusively to Autocar India. When asked about the possibility of a sub-Duster SUV with the same genes, he said ‘It’s a very good idea’ giving clear hints at the brand’s ‘Mini Duster’ plans. Weeks past the same, we have it official.

Look closely and you’ll notice that the silhouette seen in these images closely resembles that of the new Duster. In fact, it looks better. We can see a rugged, boxy silhouette with roof rails and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel! When was the last time we saw one on a sub-four metre SUV? Yes, the Maruti Jimny has it, and it looks like that is roughly where Renault wants to place the Bridger's production form as well. The Jimny as you know, is a capable off-roader. It is too early to predict the actual character of the Bridger-based SUV. Circling back, there is a strong sense of boldness to this design, the kind that most Indians would adore.

Renault already has a sub-four-metre SUV offering- the Kiger. The Bridger-based SUV will sit between the Kiger and Duster in the company’s India lineup. It will be the company’s second sub-four-metre offering here.

Naming this model ‘Bridger’ was clearly intentional. It bridges the gap between the Kiger and the Triber. Talking more about it, Renault says that it evokes robustness, connection and link. The name, according to its claims, reflects the concept’s assertive design.

“With Bridger, we are adding to our family of names based on English words. The name Renault Bridger is part of the same approach as the name of Renault Duster. It’s a powerful, robust and versatile name, ideal to identify our new urban SUV show-car and open a new page in our international offensive.”- says Sylvia dos Santos, Head of Naming Strategy. Interesting narrative indeed.

Renault describes the Bridger as an urban SUV of ‘new proportions’, and says that it would not compromise on cabin room due to the compact dimensions. It is aimed at emerging markets like India. The SUV will also have a Dacia version and Renault will likely make India an export hub for this product. In the long run, we may also see Nissan, Renault’s alliance partner do its own version of this SUV.