Renault Duster AWD

When it comes to mobile operating systems (OS), Google’s Android has a clear advantage over its closest rival, Apple’s iOS.

There may be over a hundred explanations as to why and how Google manage to capture the lion’s share of the pie, but what I have realised over the years is that with Android, Google offers a deal that cannot be matched by its rivals in the business.

And the key to that deal is the sheer number of third-party applications available on its platform. It surely is one of Android’s trump cards. But, I have also realised that a majority of these apps don’t really hold a lot of significance in everyday life. Still, users download them, which gives them bragging rights at social gatherings.

Automobiles, too, have a lot of insignificant apps... err, features, that don’t really make a lot of sense for the Indian market. Nevertheless, manufacturers sell them as goodies, and we end up paying for things we don’t really need. Bits like cruise control, sunroof, heated seats and others are left largely untouched, and that’s simply because our road and weather conditions don’t really allow us to make
good use of them. However, one feature that can come in quite handy in our ever-
degrading road conditions is all-wheel drive (AWD).

Which brings us to the soon-to-be-launched Renault Duster AWD. By the time you read this piece, some of you may already have booked it (congratulations), and a lot of you would be contemplating whether or not to sign on that dotted line. So, here’s our consumer advice for this month if you are in the market for a compact AWD SUV, the Duster makes for a good buy. Now, allow us to explain why.

Since the Duster gets AWD hardware instead of a full-blown 4x4 system, it’s easier to engage it in real-world conditions. There are no tiny levers beside the gear shifter that you’ll have to meticulously slot into confusing gates to get going. Instead, all you have to do is turn a rotary knob, on-the-fly, to switch between two-wheel drive 2WD), Auto or Lock modes. So, when driven in 2WD, think of it as a regular Duster, but in Auto mode, the system sends power to the rear wheels if the situation demands.

What situations are those, you ask? It could be anything from slippery surfaces to slush pits, hill climbs to driving down steep slopes. The Duster, in its AWD avatar, can tackle these hurdles and get you to the other side.

If you are brave enough to venture deep into troubled waters, then the Lock mode is your best bet, as it engages the central diff-locks that ensure equal torque is sent to all four corners. It will try its very best to drag you out of tricky situations, but not without those occasional wheelspins to add a bit more drama. However, don’t push your luck too much, as there isn’t an option of low-ratio gears to save the day. Also, in Lock mode, keep it under 60kph, or the intelligent AWD system will override
your command, shift into Auto mode and do things on its own.

Out in the wild, what also helps the Duster AWD’s case is the addition of independent suspension at all four corners and traction control, which come together to make it an impressive package. Renault has shortened the gear ratios for the AWD variant, especially the first gear, which further helps the Duster crawl down a steep slope without the need to feather the brake pedal.

Talking of driving, the Duster AWD is powered by the much-appreciated 1 . 5 -litre dCi K 9 K diesel motor that dispenses 108.6bhp and 248Nm of torque, teamed with a 6-speed manual ’box. Renault’s made a few minor-but-significant changes to the ECU, and it shows in the way the AWD variant performs. There’s better torque distribution across the powerband, making it easier to drive at lower rpms, so you don’t really need to downshift every time you want to overtake those annoying autorickshaws. Plus, the lighter clutch adds to the improved driving experience.

 What’s also remarkable about the AWD variant is the ride. It’s very pliant on bad roads, as the independent suspension does an unbelievable job of dampening road irregularities and offers greater ride comfort. Steering feedback, too, has been softened a bit, so it doesn’t kick back the way it does in the front-wheel drive (FWD) Duster variants. Good thing is, it’s still precise.

Renault hasn’t revealed its pricing strategy for the Duster AWD. We expect the company to charge around `70,000 (RxL) to  ` 1 lakh (RxZ) more than the equivalent FWD Duster variants.

However, to sweeten the deal, the French carmaker will offer a better cabin and, with its AWD stickering, a more distinct-looking SUV. Although exterior changes aren’t significant, the revised cabin looks better. The plastics used are of better quality, and the dual-tone black-and-grey interior doesn’t look as cheap as before. There is a new instrument cluster, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and two-tone seats that add a dash of sportiness.

Renault claims the Duster AWD can do 19kpl, and helping it achieve that figure is a new ‘Eco’ mode that improves efficiency by 10 per cent. We didn’t bother testing that claim as we were too busy throwing the Duster around, wading through streams and conquering hilltops, and it fared surprisingly well out there. We’re sure that the Duster AWD will be used more in the corporate jungle rather than out in the wild, but, despite that, it makes a strong case for itself.