4 New Renault Duster Derivatives Coming Soon: Hybrid To New Automatic Variants
Renault launched the new Duster in India in March 2026. It is now available with two engine options- 1.0L turbo-petrol and 1.3L turbo-petrol. Available in six broad trims, the new Duster has already attracted strong interest. In the coming months, the carmaker will launch at least four derivatives of the Duster, to strengthen its presence in the Indian market. These will include new variants to the outgoing model, a strong hybrid version and a seven-seater SUV based on it.
The new Duster is a well-engineered product. One gap that many would notice in the way it is positioned is that automatic variants have a high entry-price. The reason for this is that the smaller (1.0L) engine is offered only with a manual transmission. One will have to opt for the 1.3L engine to have access to the automatic transmission.
The new Duster’s base variant has an ex-showroom starting price of Rs 10.49 lakh, ex-showroom. The first automatic variant ( Evolution DCT), however, costs Rs 14.49 lakh, ex-showroom. 4 lakh rupees more. Clearly, there is enough room to park a more affordable automatic variant in between. Renault seems to be planning just the same.
Our sources confirm that Renault is considering the introduction of a CVT transmission on the 1.0L turbo version of the Duster. This is likely to come with paddle shifters as well. The final decision on this will be taken based on market feedback.
In an interview with Autocar India, Stephane Deblaise, CEO of Renault India, said that the Duster will soon get more affordable automatic variants. He, however, refused to reveal the type of transmission, which engine will get it or other details.
The 1.0L turbo-petrol engine, on the Kiger, is offered with a CVT transmission. The version used on the Duster is claimed to have significant revisions gone into it. It even makes more torque than on the Kiger.
That said, the introduction of a CVT is highly likely. The other route that Renault could potentially take is of introducing a stripped down variant with the 1.3 petrol-DCT combination. They could do this by introducing the 1.3 petrol-DCT setup on the Authentic variant. But, we believe a CVT would make more sense in this context.
The Duster is expected to get a strong hybrid version around the festive season this year. In terms of design and equipment, it will stand close to the regular petrol variants that are currently on sale. The hybrid version will be powered by a 1.8L strong hybrid setup sourced from Horse Powertrains.
At the centre of this system will be a 1.8L naturally aspirated petrol engine. It will be mated to a 1.4kWh battery pack and two electric motors. One of these motors will function as a generator while the other will drive the wheels. This hybrid system is claimed to deliver excellent fuel efficiency and make around 160PS. The vehicle will reportedly be able to run 80% of the time in EV mode, during city-driving.
Finally, Renault is also working on a seven-seater based on the Duster. It will use the same RGMP (Renault Group Modular Platform ) that underpins the new Duster. The exterior styling is expected to stand close to that of the Bigster sold in international markets. Previous spy sightings back this assumption. Although details remain sparse, we expect Renault to package this SUV well. It will have a roomy and comfortable cabin with three rows of seats and several modern features.
The Duster-based seven-seater will have both petrol and strong hybrid powertrains. The petrol version will use the same 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine as the five-seater. It remains unclear if it will get the 1.0L turbo-petrol engine. The strong hybrid version will use the same 1.8L setup as the hybrid Duster.