{"id":71427,"date":"2026-01-31T17:11:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T20:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotive.einnews.com\/article\/888298797"},"modified":"2026-01-31T17:11:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T20:11:33","slug":"why-is-the-duster-bigger-than-renault-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/01\/31\/why-is-the-duster-bigger-than-renault-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is the Duster bigger than Renault in India"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Duster has made a comeback in India <\/a>and it isn\u2019t just returning as another mid-size SUV. It\u2019s returning as a nameplate that once shaped the segment, built Renault\u2019s credibility, and became bigger than the brand itself.<\/p>\n

As Renault India unveiled the third-generation Duster, the company has acknowledged a reality few global carmakers admit. “I would argue that in India, Duster is probably more known than Renault,” said Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group during a conversation with Auto Today.<\/p>\n

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The SUV that created its own space<\/h3>\n
Old Renault Duster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“When the Duster was launched, it started with very humble beginnings,” van den Acker recalls. “But it filled a gap in the market that didn\u2019t exist.”<\/p>\n

In 2012, India had no clear definition of an affordable monocoque SUV. The Duster changed that. “It was one of the first affordable SUVs that wasn\u2019t based on a truck,” he explains. “It was a car that allowed people to dream a little bit and follow their curiosity.”<\/p>\n

That formula struck a chord far beyond India, resonating across Europe and Africa. But in India, the impact was deeper. The Duster didn\u2019t just sell, it became a reference point. For many buyers, owning a Duster mattered more than owning a Renault.<\/p>\n

Icons can\u2019t be designed<\/h3>\n
Renault Duster side profile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Frankly, it\u2019s very rare that you have an icon in your lineup,” says van den Acker. “You cannot design them upfront. They become icons.”<\/p>\n

That made the new-generation Duster a careful balancing act. “The world has changed,” he admits. “2010 or 2011 seems like a long time ago.” Customer expectations have evolved, and the market has moved on but the Duster\u2019s identity couldn\u2019t be compromised.<\/p>\n

“The challenge for us in design was to keep the spirit of the Duster alive,” he said, “and make sure people recognise it immediately. It\u2019s a yes-no question, is it a Duster or not?”<\/p>\n

The answer lies in its stance and proportions. High ground clearance, short overhangs, wheels pushed to the corners and a rising beltline ensure continuity. “If you look at it through semi-closed eyes,” he adds, “you recognise a Duster.”<\/p>\n

Why the name now leads the design<\/h3>\n
2026 Renault Duster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the most telling decisions is the bold DUSTER lettering on the front grille. For Renault, it\u2019s a conscious brand statement.<\/p>\n

“We are small in India. We are not very visible,” van den Acker said. “If people see a car, we want them to know immediately what it is.”<\/p>\n

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In markets dominated by familiar brands, recognition is currency. “If you are Maruti Suzuki and you\u2019re everywhere, you can afford to play,” he noted. “We are tiny still in India, so our cars need to stand out.”<\/p>\n

The Duster name carries more weight than the Renault badge and Renault isn\u2019t shying away from that fact.<\/p>\n

A Duster for the evolved customer<\/h3>\n
Renault Duster interiors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

India today is younger, more connected and more aspirational than it was a decade ago. “It\u2019s a very young country, average age around 28,” said van den Acker.<\/p>\n

That shift is reflected in the new Duster\u2019s upgrade in design and technology. LED lighting, dual 10-inch digital displays, Google Automotive Services, connected tech and a premium, driver-focused cabin mark a clear step forward.<\/p>\n

Powertrain choices <\/a>reflect the same forward-looking approach. Diesel is ruled out. “In other parts of the world, diesel is declining,” van den Acker explained. “With EVs and electrification, we think this might happen in India too.”<\/p>\n

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Instead, Renault is betting on turbo-petrol and strong-hybrid engines, the latter delivering up to 160hp and 280Nm, ensuring the Duster remains powerful while aligning with future trends.<\/p>\n

Bigger than the badge<\/h3>\n
Renault Duster rear profile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The return of the Duster signals more than a product revival. It marks Renault\u2019s recognition that in India, the Duster is its strongest identity.<\/p>\n

As Renault resets its strategy under International Game Plan 2027, it\u2019s leaning on a name that already commands trust. Because some cars don\u2019t just build brands, they become them.<\/p>\n

And in India, the Duster has always been more than a Renault.<\/p>\n

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– Ends<\/p>\n

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Published By: <\/p>\n

Soumya <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Published On: <\/p>\n

Jan 31, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n