Renault Duster: tough, green, affordable
French car manufacturer Renault does not need much introduction. The French are renowned for their finesse. Be it cuisine, fashion or the automobile industry, they know how to impress.
The third generation Duster arrived on local soil to impress but Top Revs had to wait a few days before getting our hands on the wheel.
The Duster, a popular car among rental companies and families, was first introduced to the market circa March 2010. Some say 2009, others insist it was 2012, but regardless, the Renault Duster is here to stay.
Top Revs spent some time with Arthur Erlank from Renault Namibia to experience what international media already have.
First impressions make all the difference, and getting into the passenger seat of the sandstone beige Duster set the tone.
When it was finally time to take the wheel, it was like the vehicle said, “forget everything you’ve heard about family-sized SUVs and enjoy the show.”
A spacious interior, minimal cabin noise and comfortable seating (front and rear) were some of our favourite features. The manual gearbox was another highlight. Although many owners prefer automatic gearboxes, this author still delights in the analogue joy of changing gears manually.
The designers took a unique approach when they designed the Duster by giving it a more rugged look, unlike the softer lines that touched previous generations. It makes one wonder if the fourth generation could be improved – this seems like the ultimate iteration.
Powerful simple lines give the Duster the stand-out shape of a 4×4 SUV with family characteristics.
The front grille shouts Renault, which seems to be a new trend among the latest models. While not everyone likes the oversized letters, Top Revs appreciates the new look; every owner wants their car to be seen, whether they are cruising in town or – in the case of the Duster – the open fields.
The head and rear light clusters have their own signature and the Renault name is clearly etched inside the lenses.
The integrated air vents on the front fenders with the branding embossed on the trim might be something new to many cars, but the trimmings around the vehicle really stand out, made from recycled material as part of the auto industry’s new approach of a greener planet.
“This is a totally green car. This model is a mild hybrid, limiting your carbon dioxide emissions (129g/km), and it comes with 20% recycled plastics on the fenders and trimmings of the vehicle,” Erlank says.
The internationally-acknowledged recyle symbol is watermarked on some of the components. And it looks like a fashion statement – rightfully so, as ‘green’ has become the norm lately.
To add to the statement, efficient fuel consumption is just as impressive, with an average consumption of up to 850km on the mild hybrid powertrain. And all of this with a 50 litre fuel tank.
The ground clearance of 217mm (4×4 models) makes off-roading trails comfortable, and assists the all-terrain driving modes. The vehicle has a 37-degree approach and 31-degree departure angle, meaning reasonably steep obstacles can be easily managed without damaging the vehicle’s front or rear bumpers.
To add to the 4×4’s abilities, the vehicle comes standard with five different driving modes that can be set on the dial positioned between the two front seats: Eco, Auto, Snow, Mud and Sand and Off-road.
The Duster boasts advanced information from the seven-inch digital colour cluster, including fuel consumption and e-tech powertrain information. The cluster can also connect your smartphone, comes with a wireless charging station, and displays 4×4 information like the pitch angle and compass (4×4 only on mild hybrid).
To maximise comfort and packing space, the vehicle offers up to 494 liters of boot capacity and car seats can be folded in a 60/40 configuration. For personal belongings, there is almost 29 litres of storage space in front.
Renault offers driving support systems like hill descent assist, multi-view camera, blind spot detection, cruise control limiter and rear parking assist – to mention a few. The car also boasts a four-star New Car Assessment Programme safety rating.
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