KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Duster and the Bigster come with a mild-hybrid and a strong-hybrid powertrain option globally.
- The Bigster is based on the Duster and will rival the Safari and XUV700.
- Renault India has ruled out diesels and mild hybrids, but it is considering strong hybrid ch
The Renault Duster and the Bigster are among some of the new cars planned by the French car maker for India. While available with a turbo-petrol engine option globally, Renault is also considering going the hybrid route with these cars, and is said to be actively evaluating them.
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Renault Duster And Bigster Hybrid Plans; Details
According to reports, the Renault Duster and the Bigster hybrid versions are being evaluated for an India launch. The French car maker sells the Duster and the Bigster globally with a range of mild-hybrid, strong-hybrid, and even LPG powertrains. However, it is believed that the mild-hybrid powertrains may be given a miss, and that the strong-hybrid powertrain option is the one likely to make it here. Renault is also skipping diesels entirely.
The Duster comes with three powertrain options. The strong-hybrid is a 1.6-litre, turbo-petrol engine unit paired to two electric motors, which produces a combined 141bhp. According to the car maker, the Duster strong-hybrid can run in EV mode 80% of the time due to the high energy recovery capacity of the 1.2kWh battery pack. It remains to be seen how much this powertrain will be adapted for India. The other is a 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol, and the last one is an LPG powertrain, which is unlikely to make it here.
The Bigster is also offered with three powertrain options globally, with strong-hybrid, mild-hybrid, and LPG options. The strong hybrid powertrain on the Bigster is likely to be the same 1.6-litre unit, but with 152bhp on offer. It also carries over a lot of design elements from the Duster as well. With a wheelbase measuring 2700mm, the Bigster is quite close to the likes of the Mahindra XUV700 and Kia Carens.
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Verdict
The Duster and the Bigster might just be around the corner, and with the arrival of these two cars, it is possible Renault may finally get some much-needed success in the Indian market.
