Renault Duster BS6 launched: Compact SUV dumps diesel to go petrol-only

The Renault Duster has just gotten Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms compliant, and with that has dumped the diesel engine altogether. The 2020 Renault Duster is now available with a single engine option: the 1.5 liter-4 cylinder naturally aspirated petrol with 105 Bhp-142 Nm outputs. There is a single gearbox available with this engine: a 5 speed manual. Renault has dumped the CVT automatic option, which was available with this very engine on the BS4 Duster.

Prices of the BS6 Renault Duster start from Rs. 8.49 lakhs, making it significantly cheaper than its competitors – read the all-new Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos, which start from nearly Rs. 10 lakh. The BS6 Duster is offered in three trim levels, RXE, RXS and RXZ. Variant-wise, ex-showroom Delhi prices of the 2020 Duster are as follows.

• RXE – Rs. 8.49 lakh
• RXS – Rs. 9.29 lakh
• RXZ – Rs. 9.99 lakh

Renault did showcase quite an exciting variant of the Duster at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo. The vehicle showcased featured a 1.3 liter-4 cylinder SCe turbocharged petrol engine with 153 Bhp-250 Nm outputs. The French automaker is likely to introduce the turbo petrol engine on the Duster later this year. The CVT automatic gearbox could make a reappearance with this motor. It remains to be seen whether Renault offers a manual gearbox with the turbo petrol engine. What is certain though is a price increase for the more powerful version of the Duster.
Meanwhile, an all wheel drive layout is unlikely to make a reappearance with the new motor, and the Duster now does not have any ‘X factor’ so to speak against competition. It’s not that the Duster AWD was selling well anyway but the compact SUV with the all wheel drive layout did have a distinct appeal for enthusiasts looking for a great touring SUV. That’s lost now. Renault has discontinued diesel engines on its entire range of cars sold in India. Going forward, expect to see more cars with turbocharged petrol engines from the French automaker.

Coming back to the BS6 Duster, the compact SUV’s biggest strengths remain its carpet-like ride quality over bad roads, and also a sturdy build, car-like handling dynamics and butch looks. The petrol engine is very commuter-ish and will suit those who are looking primarily at a city SUV. Fuel efficiency is not the strong suit of most petrol engines used on compact SUVs, and this is no different in the case of the 1.5 liter unit on the BS6 Duster.