Renault to launch new Duster hybrid in India on October 17

Renault is launching the Duster hybrid in India on October 17. This model brings a third engine choice to the Duster, joining the current 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engines. The new setup is named the E Tech system, and Renault states it uses technology and know-how from Formula 1.

Engine Specs

The strong-hybrid Duster pairs a 1,789cc four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors. One motor has 20hp and works as a generator, while the 49hp motor drives the wheels. Together, the system gives 160hp and 172Nm of torque, backed by a 1.4kWh battery pack.

Transmission Difference

Renault's E Tech setup works differently from the Toyota hybrid system found in models like the Hyryder, Grand Vitara, and Victoris. Instead of an e-CVT and a power split device, Renault uses a multi-mode automatic gearbox with fixed gear ratios. Because of this, you may feel gear shifts and see engine speeds rise and fall like a normal automatic. The Duster also uses a bigger 1.4kWh battery compared to Toyota's 0.76kWh unit.

Fuel Savings

Savings come from low-speed electric runs, braking energy recovery, and keeping the petrol engine off when not needed. Real-world mileage will still change based on traffic, speed, weather, and driving habits. However, Renault states that the engine will let 80 percent of city trips run in EV mode. This strong hybrid aims to fill the gap left by the missing diesel engine and will compete directly with midsize SUVs like the Maruti Grand Vitara, Victoris, and Toyota Hyryder strong-hybrids.