6 Affordable New Hybrid SUVs Expected From Renault And Nissan
Renault and Nissan are both plotting big comeback plans in India and hybrids are an important part of it. The alliance plans to launch products into some highly competitive segments and build a strong presence there. The intention seems to be to play the volume game. The duo will take multi-pathway approaches when it comes to fuel options. Most of these products will have hybrid versions. Here are six affordable hybrid SUVs expected from Renault and Nissan in the near future.
The Duster is the first and most important product in Renault’s comeback launch spree. The company has done a wonderful job by packaging it well and pricing it right.
The new Duster was officially launched on March 17th, at an introductory starting price of Rs 10.49 lakh. At the launch event, the company also made a key announcement- the strong hybrid version that was announced previously is sold out for the year, owing to heightened demand!
When the new Duster was first announced, Renault made it clear that it will have a strong hybrid version, powered by a setup consisting of a 1.8l naturally aspirated petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery pack.
This powertrain is expected to produce around 160 hp and is the real star of the show. It will be used in multiple models across the alliance. Underpinning the Duster is the RGMP platform, specially designed for emerging markets like India. Interestingly, all vehicles in this list will use this platform or its iterations.
Another product expected from the French carmaker is a three-row C-segment SUV, based on the Duster’s platform. Likely to be the India-specific version of the Dacia Bigster, this SUV will also offer the option of the same strong hybrid powertrain as the Duster.
Test mules of this product have already been spied. Going by these sightings, the overall design is likely to stand close to the global model. Like the new Duster, this SUV will also have a tech-heavy cabin.
The Tekton is Nissan’s badge-engineered version of the Duster, expected to be out in the coming months. It will be underpinned by the same platform and offer the choice of the same strong hybrid engine. In fact, it will borrow heavily from the Duster in its exterior and interior styling, while still adhering to Nissan’s design philosophy.
Nissan is also developing a three-row compact SUV- its version of Renault’s Bigster-based SUV. The company seems to be highly optimistic about this product and has already confirmed that it will not simply be a badge-engineered Renault. Instead, it will have Nissan’s design DNA in it and will follow its latest global SUV design direction. It will also be available with the strong hybrid powertrain.
Renault has already confirmed its plans to launch a second product into the burgeoning sub-four-metre SUV space. It recently revealed the Bridger concept previewing this product. Expected to arrive sometime in 2027, the production model will have a bold, boxy design and an upright stance.
This B-segment SUV has been designed and developed in India to meet the company’s global standards. It is underpinned by a smaller version of the Duster’s platform. Thanks to this versatile architecture, the production-spec Bridger is expected to get petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains. Details of its hybrid powertrain remain unavailable at the time of writing.
Alliance partner Nissan is also expected to come up with its own version of the production-spec Bridger sometime in the future. Like the Renault, it will also be available with a strong hybrid engine. Nissan hasn’t yet confirmed such plans though.
The Duster, Bigster-based SUV, Tekton and Nissan’s seven-seater SUV will use the same strong hybrid powertrain. Called the HR18 HEV, it was co-developed by Renault and Geely, and is now manufactured by Horse Powertrain- a company co-owned by the two and Saudi Aramco.
The setup consists of a 1.8L petrol engine, two electric motors- one of which works as a generator and the other drives the wheels, and a battery pack. It is claimed to have a combined system output of 160hp and 172Nm. This hybrid powertrain will come with a clutchless, high-torque transmission. The versatile nature of the RGMP platform plays a key role in accommodating this powertrain comfortably.