Exterior

The Renault Duster has a perfect off roader look and is designed to confront any types of roads and tracks. The vehicle gets Logan Platform and falls under D segment of cars. Coming to the front part of this SUV, it gets a three slat grille with a big Renault Logo embossed in the center. Also on either side of this grille there’s a double optic headlamps. The bonnet is all flat with no curves, though some characteristic lines are visible. The side profile of Duster is also interesting with sharply cut beltline. Finally the rear end of the SUV is characterized by a curved boot lid, vertically placed tail lamps, skid plate and a hexagonal shape windshield with rear viper.

Interiors

The interior of the Renault Duster definitely doesn’t have that that luxury touch but it does give the vehicle a sporty look. Most of the interior concept in this SUV is from Logan. Focusing on the Dashboard first, the car has a 3 spoke steering wheel with the Renault logo at the center. The instrument panel is given large dials and is illuminated in red to suit the SUV. With only 5 passengers seating capacity, the SUV gets 475 litres of boot space which can further be increased to 1636 litre by folding down the back seats. Some of the other features included inside are music system integrated in the central console, Bluetooth and aux input functions, electrically programmable front seats and power windows.

Engine

The Renault Duster comes with two engine options, the first one being powered by a 1.5 Litre DCI same as that of Nissan Micra and the second one being 1.6 litre petrol engine. The 1.5 L diesel engine is tuned so as to produce two different power outputs, ie 83.8 bhp and 108.5 bhp. The diesel engine producing 83.8 bhp can reach a maximum torque of 200Nm while the other diesel engine produces 248Nm of maximum torque. The Duster is also offered with either two or four wheel drive system.

Price and Competition

The petrol variant of Renault Duster will be priced between Rs 700,000 to Rs 850,000. The Diesel variant will however be priced between Rs 750,000 to Rs 1,150,000. Some of the vehicles in competition with the Duster will be Force One, Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio and XUV 500.

Renault has launched the Fluence sedan, which is its first independent model in India last month. The company’s Executive Vice President Philippe Klein told reporters that they are expecting to sell about 100,000 vehicles in India by the end of year 2013.

The company considers India as one among its three key markets for its global expansion in the next few years. The other two markets being Brazil & Russia. Jerome Stoll who is the Renault’s global Executive vice president (sales & marketing, LCV) said “ India is a priority market for Renault and our success in India would largely determine how we are going to do globally.”

The new Renault Hatchback will be competing with Maruti Suzuki’s Swift. Renault’s Executive Vice-president (planning, products, programme) Philippe Klein said that the car would be designed by Indians for the Indian Market. Earlier Renault and partner Nissan had signed an agreement with Bajaj Auto (India’s second largest two-wheeler maker) in the year 2010 to manufacture ultra low-cost car for India and other emerging markets and had planned to launch it in the year 2012.

Renault is doubling its production capacity at the Tamil Nadu plant to 400,000 by end of 2012, and for this they have committed an investment of Rs 45 billion ($1 billion) for the plant. This plant will be rolling out five models of Renault beginning with Fluence. The company is planning to launch its sports utility vehicle ‘Duster’ in India by the second half of 2012. Duster is the highest selling utility vehicle in France and in India the SUV will be competitively priced and also will be very fuel efficient as it weighs 300 kg lesser than other cars in the same segment.

The new Peugeot 308 comes with a new look, features innovative e-HDi micro-hybrid technology and optimises fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, which start from just 98 g/km.

With its new lines, the Peugeot 308 subtly incorporates the Marque’s latest stylistic codes. The car’s body follows the contours of the mechanical assembly underneath. The appeal of the three body shapes (Saloon, CC and SW) thus acquires a more technological elegance, illustrated by the presence of LED front lights with light guide. Dynamism and emotion are present as ever in the genes of the 308, particularly with its more assertive look thanks to new Xenon headlamps with titanium coloured mask and the hatchback in its exclusive GTi finish. Determined to consolidate its leadership in terms of road holding and driving pleasure, the Peugeot 308 seeks to become a reference in terms of environmental efficiency.

Advanced Technology

The design of the new 308 subtly incorporates the new stylistic codes of the Peugeot Marque. While the dimensions are unchanged, the new lines marry as closely as possible the car’s mechanical assembly to accentuate its athletic poise, while the front aspect gives a fresh look to the “floating” front grille concept. Greater importance accorded to unbroken surfaces marks a determination to present an elegant and luxurious style. The central protective capping, available in a black lacquer finish, has been made thinner to give greater prominence to the sheer metal. This is also true of the single air intake which is now smaller in size. Styling elements enhance the natural elegance which emanates from the new 308. A satin chrome bead enhances the new front grille, as do horizontal bars, available in lustrous black or chrome according to body shape (saloon, CC or SW).

Luxurious Interior

Stylists worked hard to exploit to the full the interior volumes freed up by the semi-tall architecture of the 308. They therefore designed a particularly inclined fascia panel, almost symmetrical to the front windscreen pillars, to offer unimpeded exterior visibility. In addition, there was a marked determination to give the interior a very upmarket feel and an enhanced sense of perceived quality. The result is a fluid, pure and elegant fascia panel where pride of place is given to superior materials, according to finish: soft covering, leather trim, chrome, black lacquered materials.

e-hdi Micro-Hybrid Technology

After the 508, the new Peugeot 308 is the second of the Marque’s cars to introduce the innovative e-HDi micro-hybrid technology, a new generation STOP & START.This innovation is based on the combination of a 1.6 litre HDi Euro 5 diesel engine and a reversible alternator ensuring the STOP & START function. Relying on an alternator control system (Volt Control) to recover energy during deceleration and a hybrid battery to store and deliver additional energy on startup. The 308 1.6 THP has a lot of features like ABS, EBD, a 5 star NCAP rating and the clean Euro 4 -5 engine which is built in collaboration between PSA and BMW. So it is economical, reliable and powerful. As for those who think that a hatchback with a turbo can make anything into a ‘performance car’ or a hot hatch, think again. Peugeot 308 has 140bhp, 240Nm of torque made from a turbocharged 1.6 liter engine  that is also used in the smaller 207GT and the current BMW Mini.