Renault Duster range streamlined as updated model arrives

With the all-new model reportedly planned for unveiling in 2023 or 2024, Renault has announced price and spec details for the updated Duster in South Africa, albeit with a number of differences from the Dacia derivative that debuted in Europe five months ago.

While retaining the slightly restyled x-motif LED taillights, 16 and 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels plus a new boot spoiler, it loses out on the Dacia corporate grille and Y-shaped LED headlights for items carried over from the pre-facelift model.

On the colour front, all of the previously offered seven hues have been renamed, the palette now comprising Ice White, Comet Grey, Brown Vision, Highland Grey, Fusion Red, Iron Blue and Arizona Orange.

Inside, the Duster does fall in-line with its Old Continent sibling in that it receives not only the upgraded materials, centre console and climate control dials, but also the new eight-inch Media Evolution touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In a reversal though, local models lose out on the European version’s heated front seats with the four-wheel-drive also doing without the previously offered satellite navigation. It does however feature the updated 4×4 Monitor that sports an altimeter, inclinometer, compass and pitch angle.

Model-wise, the Duster adopts the same grade strategy as the Kiger, albeit with only two trim levels in place of the previous TechRoad, Dynamique and Prestige. In addition, the archaic 1.6-litre petrol engine has been dropped entirely, leaving the stalwart 1.5 dCi turbodiesel as the sole source of motivation.

ALSO READ: Fresh faced Renault Duster makes long awaited reveal

Serving as the new base model, the Zen replaces the TechRoad and Dynamique and comes equipped with not only the mentioned 16-inch alloys, Media Evolution system and auto on/off LED headlights, but also the following:

• body coloured bumpers;
• chrome door handles;
• all around electric windows;
• height adjustable driver’s seat;
• cruise control;
• electric mirrors;
• multi-function steering wheel;
• reverse camera;
• six airbags;
• ABS with EBD and EBA;
• Hill Start Assist

Reserved for the all-paw gripping Zen, apart from the 4×4 Monitor, is Hill Descent Control, Blind Spot Warning and the multi-view camera system.

At the top of the range, the Intens, which continues to be front-wheel-drive only like the Prestige, comes as standard with the Media Nav system that boasts navigation, satin chrome instead of black roof rails and the mentioned 17-inch alloys.

Also standard is key card keyless entry, lumbar support for the driver’s seat, push-button start and carried over from the Zen 4×4, the multi-view camera and Blind Sport Warning. As before, all models come with the option of leather seats (R10 088).

Up front, the mentioned 1.5-litre oil-burner boasts three states of tune; 66kW/210Nm in the Zen equipped with the six-speed manual gearbox, 80kW/250Nm in the Zen and Intens fitted with the six-speed EDC, and 80kW/260Nm in the manual only Zen 4×4.

Claimed fuel consumption is rated at 5.1 L/100 km for the Zen manual, 4.8 L/100 km for the Zen and Intens EDC and also 4.8 L/100 km for the Zen manual 4×4.

Pricing

As before, all models are covered by a five year/150 000 km warranty as well as a three year/45 000 km service plan.

• Duster 1.5 dCi Zen – R337 900
• Duster 1.5 dCi Zen EDC – R376 900
• Duster 1.5 dCi Zen 4×4 – R376 900
• Duster 1.5 dCi Intens EDC – R384 900