The SUV That Could Make Grand Vitara and Hyryder Look EXPENSIVE!
Renault India has launched the Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 petrol SUV at a price of Rs. 16.99 lakh. It is the first strong-hybrid Renault in India and the third powertrain option in the Duster SUV range, joining the 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engines.
The Duster Hybrid is expected to undercut the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid and Toyota Hyryder Hybrid on price while offering more power and better claimed mileage. Renault’s Duster Hybrid claims 29kmpl ARAI-certified mileage with a combined driving range of up to 1,400km and develops 160PS of power.
Powertrain: 1.8L Petrol, Two Electric Motors, 160 PS Combined Output
Renault’s Duster Hybrid is powered by the E-Tech 160 strong hybrid powertrain. It uses a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.4kWh battery.
Component
Specification
Petrol engine
1.8L, Four-cylinder, Naturally aspirated
Electric motor 1
20 hp, Generator
Electric motor 2
49 hp, Wheel motor
Battery
1.4 kWh
Combined Output
160 PS (160 bhp)
Torque
172 Nm
Electric Motor Torque
208 Nm
Transmission
Multi-mode automatic hybrid transmission
The petrol engine paired with two electric motors develops a combined 160 PS of power and 172 Nm of torque. The 208 Nm of torque from the electric motor is higher than the petrol engine’s 172 Nm. The multi-mode automatic hybrid transmission lets the Duster Hybrid run purely on electricity, purely on petrol, or a mix of the two, depending on specific conditions.
In city traffic, the Duster Hybrid can run mainly on electric power, saving fuel.
Mileage: 29 KMPL – Leading the Segment
The Duster Hybrid’s 29 kmpl ARAI-certified mileage is the best in the segment. It far exceeds the mileage of the petrol variants of the Duster SUV.
Variant
Mileage
Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160
29 kmpl
1.0L turbo-petrol manual
19.41 kmpl
1.3L turbo-petrol manual
17.75 kmpl
1.3L turbo-petrol DCT
18.45 kmpl
The hybrid version’s claimed mileage is almost 10 kmpl better than the 1.0L turbo-petrol manual variant. With a combined driving range of up to 1,400 km, the Duster Hybrid can cover long distances with minimal stops for fuel.
How The Hybrid System Works
The Duster Hybrid’s hybrid system utilises a multi-mode automatic transmission. It uses fixed gear ratios and manages the petrol engine and electric motor combination to deliver the desired power and torque.
Drive Modes Description
Pure EV mode
The electric motor propels the car at lower speeds.
Hybrid mode
Both petrol engine and electric motor work together.
Engine mode
The petrol engine directly propels the car at higher speeds on the highway.
Regenerative mode
The system captures kinetic energy while decelerating and uses it to recharge the battery.
With this setup, the driver does not need to plug in the car for the battery to charge. The system handles it all, and the owner gets the benefits of a hybrid drivetrain without the hassle of purchasing and installing a home charging station.
Design & Features
The Duster Hybrid retains the rugged design of the standard Duster SUV. It gets full LED lighting, aggressive wheel arches, and a high ground clearance to tackle Indian roads.
Inside, it offers the following features:
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
10.25-inch digital cluster
Wireless phone charger
Ventilated front seats
360-degree camera
Six airbags
212 mm ground clearance
The 360-degree camera and ventilated front seats are segment-first features in India. Standard six airbags across all variants add to the appeal. The 212 mm of ground clearance is also impressive compared to other SUVs in the segment.
Price: Rs. 16.99 Lakh on Ex-showroom Basis
Renault has priced the Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 at Rs. 16.99 lakh. It is a highly competitive price considering its primary rivals in the segment.
Hybrid SUV Competitors
Price (On-road)
Renault Duster Hybrid
Rs. 16.99 Lakh
Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid
Rs. 18.5 Lakh+
Toyota Hyryder Hybrid
Rs. 18.5 Lakh+
By offering the most value for money, along with more power and better mileage, Renault has positioned the Duster Hybrid to steal potential buyers from Maruti and Toyota. The Rs. 16.99 lakh launch price of the Duster Hybrid makes it Rs. 1.5 lakh cheaper than the other hybrid SUVs in the segment.
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Competition
The Duster Hybrid will directly compete against the following:
Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid
Toyota Hyryder Hybrid
Vs Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid: The Duster Hybrid offers more power (160PS vs 116PS) and better mileage (29kmpl vs 27.97kmpl).
Vs Toyota Hyryder Hybrid: The Duster Hybrid offers a more rugged design along with a higher ground clearance (212mm vs 190mm).
While the Grand Vitara Hybrid and Hyryder Hybrid are formidable competitors, the Duster Hybrid’s value proposition is hard to ignore. At Rs. 16.99 lakh, it is almost Rs. 1.5 lakh cheaper than the Japanese rivals while offering more power and better mileage.
Should You Buy It?
The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 petrol SUV combines impressive fuel economy, power, rugged design, and a high ground clearance. It is a hybrid SUV that offers the most value for money.
Buy It If
You want the best-in-segment mileage
You want outstanding performance on highways
You want a hybrid SUV but do not want a charging station at home
You want a hybrid SUV with higher ground clearance
You want the most value for money hybrid SUV
Skip It If
You want a fully electric vehicle
You want a 7-seater SUV
You want a diesel engine
You want a traditional automatic petrol SUV
With its segment-leading 29kmpl mileage, 160PS power, 1,400km combined range, and Rs. 16.99 lakh price, the Renault Duster Hybrid is poised to disrupt the hybrid SUV segment. For discerning buyers who want to get the best hybrid SUV, the Renault Duster Hybrid is the way to go.
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