Overview
TOP GEAR followers is likely to be acquainted with Renault’s japanese European sub-brand Dacia and its vary of sturdy, no-nonsense fashions just like the Sandero, Logan, and Duster.
Bought globally beneath the Renault moniker, the Romanian-built compact SUV is lastly accessible within the land Down Underneath, priced from $31,990 plus on-road prices, and taking the combat to rivals just like the Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek, and Suzuki Jimny – to call however a couple of.
Two- and four-wheel drive configurations can be found from launch with energy sourced from a 113kW/277Nm turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine within the case of the 4×2 and a 96kW/230Nm turbocharged 1.2-litre gentle hybrid three-cylinder petrol for the 4×4.
The 1.3-litre engined 4×2 operates on 91 RON unleaded petrol, and the 1.2-litre unit within the 4×4 requires 95 RON (or increased) premium unleaded.
Gasoline consumption figures are listed at 6.5- and 5.7 litres per 100km respectively.
For now, 4×2 variants can be found solely with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission whereas the 4×4 gives solely a six-speed handbook. Renault Australia says the latter will likely be supplied with an automated shortly, probably as quickly as early within the new 12 months.
In each situations, braking is through four-wheel discs and suspension through a strut entrance / torsion beam rear mixture in 4×2 variants, or with a multi-link rear in 4×4 variants. Floor clearance is listed at a formidable 212mm. That’s simply 8mm shy of the Subaru Crosstrek and 8mm larger than that of the rudimental Suzuki Jimny.
Towing capability is listed at 1500kg (braked) throughout the board, whereas cargo quantity varies between 4×2 and 4×4 grades with 472 litres within the former and 358 litres within the latter.
The entry-grade Evolution 4×2 gives a beneficiant customary tools record with highlights together with 17-inch alloy wheels, fabric upholstery, cruise management, dual-zone local weather management, dusk-sensing LED headlights, digital parking brake, fastened roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, and a reversing digital camera with rear parking sensors.
Know-how inclusions add a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment array, the latter with AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio reception, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, Arkamys six-speaker sound, and wi-fi gadget charging.
Stepping as much as the Duster Techno (from $37,990 + ORC) we discover 18-inch alloys, premium fabric upholstery, rear privateness glass, a 360-degree digital camera system, entrance parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, auto excessive beam, split-level cargo space (4×2 fashions solely), and modular roof rails.
Color decisions embrace Strong White for gratis, or for $750 the selection of Cedar Inexperienced, Khaki Inexperienced, Pearlescent Black, Sandstone, Shadow Gray, or Terracotta.
All grades are geared up with an extended record of security options together with entrance, facet, and curtain airbags, autonomous emergency braking, driver consideration alert, ISOFIX and top-tether child-seat anchorages, lane departure warning, lane maintain help, protected observe distance warning, visitors signal recognition, and tyre stress monitoring.
The high-grade Techno fashions add blind spot monitoring.
Driving Impressions
The third-generation Renault Duster is a terrific choice for metropolis dwellers with a thirst for weekend adventures or nation folks requiring a car with the bottom clearance and traction to deal with pockmarked and unsealed surfaces.
Greater than most contenders in its phase, the Duster stands up effectively to Australia’s decaying rural backroads, its light-weight CMF-B platform (shared with the Nissan Juke), polished damping, and spectacular off-road geometry gifting the car with a broader skillset than any for the value.
Renault says the Duster gives a 31-degree strategy angle in four-wheel drive format – thanks partially to a model-specific entrance bumper – 24-degree ramp-over angle, and 36-degree departure angle. Couple these figures with 212mm of floor clearance and 450mm of water wading potential, and it’s evident the Duster is one mighty succesful little machine.
And whereas it doesn’t supply a two-speed switch case just like the Suzuki Jimny, the Duster’s four-wheel drive system is able to sending as much as 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels as required.
Testing the car on the former Holden proving floor in Lang Lang, Victoria, we are able to testify that the Duster will go locations many actual four-wheel drives may wrestle – making a meal of each hurdle positioned in its path.
After all, the Duster is greater than only a nifty off-roader… Circling the undulating Bass Hills that encompass the proving floor it’s spectacular how effectively the car tolerates sub-par surfaces.
It takes a pretty big crater to unsettle the Duster’s poise, the suspension offering a managed experience that’s complemented by sweetly assisted steering to offer not solely a way of confidence, however a terrific huge dollop of enjoyment, too.
The Duster’s seating place is rather less car-like than a few of its rivals (say, the Subaru Crosstrek), feeling extra akin to that of a standard SUV. Likewise, the cushioning is slightly flat and formless, maybe reflecting the extra austere virtues of a car made for markets whose street circumstances are worse than ours.
The Duster’s acres of laborious plastics and, let’s consider, extra sturdy surfacing is likewise a nod to the outdoorsy character it goals to painting. Fortunately, the car’s extra pragmatic traits are matched with distinctive ergonomics, the connection with the steering, pedals, and gearshift all a lower above our expectations.
Equalling that sentiment is the efficiency of the comparatively tiny engines accessible within the Duster line-up. The 1.2-litre TCe engine (acquainted to the likes of the Kangoo, Clio, and Captur) and 1.3-litre HR13DDT models (co-developed with Nissan and Mercedes-Benz) are effortlessly torquey, aiding in a easy step-off from a standing begin and progressive acceleration thereafter.
Whether or not sampling the automated or the handbook, it’s apparent Renault has spaced the transmission ratios appropriately for the Duster’s aims. It feels simply as vigorous within the 0-50km/h vary because it does when passing on the open street (say from 70-100km/h), whereas on the similar time delivering loads of pulling energy for climbing steep grades.
Whereas the drive across the proving floor and close by backroads may need been terrific for highlighting the Duster’s capabilities, it was maybe a poorer selection for showcasing the automobiles’ gasoline consumption.
Within the two-wheel drive automated and four-wheel drive handbook, we scored consumption figures of seven.4- and 6.8 litres per 100km respectively – numbers we all know may very well be improved upon had been we not hurriedly sampling every thing the Duster is able to.
So, what else ought to potential consumers know concerning the Duster? Nicely, apart from the actual fact you is likely to be ready some time to get your palms on one, it’s additionally pertinent that we notice how fussy the human-machine interface may be. The menu system takes a little bit getting used to with some settings both not the place you count on them to be, or absent solely.
Put merely, the Duster just isn’t a hi-tech providing that tries to impress with high-end graphics and sophisticated (learn: principally pointless) gimmicks. It’s practical, sincere, and within the case of its driver help applied sciences, frankly, refreshing. Youthful tech-crazed consumers may baulk on the lack of automation and innovation discovered right here, however in a really Duster means, it fits the automobile to a tee.
And it’s that sort of simplistic honesty we predict pragmatic Aussie consumers will bond with. In providing an gratifying and succesful package deal that’s largely with out the superfluous applied sciences now we have come to detest; the Renault Duster is well-placed to make its mark in a phase packed tight with same-same choices.
–
