Renault Duster and Bigster: Launch and more details of Renault's comeback cars in India
Renault was the one company that created the mid-size SUV in India with the Renault Duster. While it was a runaway success, the Duster faded out as it never got the upgrade it needed to tackle competition like the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos, among other SUVs. Quite obviously, sales declined, and eventually the Duster went off the showroom floor. Ever since then, the company has been banking on models like the Renault Kwid, Renault Kiger and the Renault Triber. But quite simply, that is not going to be enough for the company. They need a powerhouse product. They need the Duster and more to be back, and that is exactly what the company is all set to do.
Both the Duster and the Bigster will share the same CMF-B platform.
advertisementAt the recent inauguration of their new design studio in Chennai, the company confirmed that alongside the Duster, Renault has ambitious plans to launch five new vehicles in the next two years, including an electric vehicle designed for both Indian and global markets. So the Duster with be the first to be re-launched, and it will be followed by a seven-seater variant of the same in a few months. Something like what Hyundai offers with the Hyundai Creta and the Hyundai Alcazar. But let's delve into the details of these SUVs and see what they promise to offer.Renault Duster: What to expect?
The new Duster features a modern look but still retains the rugged design DNA.
advertisementThe new-generation Duster is an all-new SUV, and as a result, it is based on a new CMF-B platform that will also underpin the larger 7-seat version of the SUV. On the CMF-B platform, the All-New Duster has more space for passengers and luggage than the previous generation, while maintaining the same overall length of 4,340mm. The new Duster features a modern look but still retains the rugged design DNA as seen in the older versions. Inside, the SUV will come with modern touches like a large infotainment system, a digital instrument panel and modern climate control system. Renault will also load the Duster with ADAS among a plethora of other safety features. When it comes to powertrains, the new Duster will come with petrol and diesel engines and CNG and mild-hybrid options are also said to be on cards. The CNG variants could very well be retrofit kits that would be done at dealership level as the company had done some time back with Kwid, Kiger and Triber. As for the specifications, the international model is offered with three engine options. This includes a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol mill, 1.2-litre petrol-hybrid, and a 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid.Renault Bigster: Details of the 7-seat variant
While the Bigster is based on the same platform as the Duster, the SUV is longer than the Duster by 227mm.
The Bigster has also been revealed internationally and there are speculations that it will be called the Boreal in India. While the Bigster is based on the same platform as the Duster, the SUV is longer than the Duster by 227mm. The wheelbase of the Bigster stands at 2,702mm which again is longer than the Duster's wheelbase by 45mm. Inside the Bigster will come with three-row seating with the third row being the one that will allow a folding feature.
Boot space of the Bigster is rated at 677 litres.
Boot space of the Bigster is rated at 677 litres as compared to the Duster's 560 litres. Needless to say, both SUVs will allow a folding feature on the rear seats. We believe that the SUVs will share engine and transmission options as well.advertisementRenault Duster and Bigster: When will Renault launch them?
Both the SUVs will likely share engine and transmission options.
Renault is currently completing the acquisition of the alliance plant in Chennai. The company is quite clear that starting the first quarter of next year, it will start launches of new vehicles starting with the Duster. The Bigster will follow in the next couple of months. These SUVs will have to take on the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Astor, Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the Tata Curvv.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Hyundai, Jeep, Tata, Honda and Citroen offer big discounts in June. Take a look
As carmakers gear up for mid-year momentum, June 2025 is turning out into an attractive month for car buyers in India. Several major manufacturers have announced notable discounts, benefits, and special schemes on popular models. From Jeep's premium SUVs to Honda's sedans, Hyundai's hatchbacks, Tata's EVs and Citroen's anniversary deals, customers can avail themselves of a wide range of offers across segments. If you too are looking to buy a new automobile in the month, take a look at the benefit options given below: Jeep India is aggressively pushing discounts across its portfolio amid slowing sales. The Jeep Compass is available with benefits of up to ₹2.95 lakh, including a direct consumer offer of up to ₹1.70 lakh, a corporate discount of ₹1.10 lakh, and an additional ₹15,000 special benefit for select professionals such as doctors, employees of leasing firms, and corporate partners. The Compass is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 168 bhp and 350 Nm, paired with either a 6-speed manual or torque converter automatic. Priced between ₹18.99 lakh and ₹32.41 lakh (ex-showroom), this offer could make it more accessible to potential buyers. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is sold only in its top-spec Limited (O) trim at ₹67.50 lakh (ex-showroom), gets a flat discount of ₹3 lakh. Benefits may vary depending on city, stock, and dealership. Jeep's biggest offer is on the Meridian SUV, with total benefits reaching up to ₹3.90 lakh. This includes consumer discounts of up to ₹2.30 lakh, corporate discounts of up to ₹1.30 lakh, and a special benefit of ₹30,000. The Meridian is available in four trims, namely Longitude, Longitude Plus, Limited (O) and Overland, priced from ₹24.99 lakh going up to ₹38.79 lakh. Honda is offering promotional benefits of up to ₹1.20 lakh across its lineup. The Honda City is available with offers worth ₹1,07,300 on all variants, while the City e:HEV hybrid sees total benefits of ₹65,000. These discounts typically include a loyalty bonus, exchange benefits, and a complimentary extended warranty. Competing in the midsize sedan segment, the City faces rivals like the Hyundai Verna, Skoda Slavia, and Volkswagen Virtus. For SUV buyers, the Elevate ZX variant gets the highest offer this month, with total benefits reaching ₹1.20 lakh. This includes a combination of exchange bonuses, loyalty rewards, and corporate offers. The Elevate rivals the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara in India. The midsize SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine which makes 120 bhp. The newer third-generation Honda Amaze doesn't get direct cash discounts but comes with corporate benefits and special loyalty bonuses for existing Honda customers. On the other hand, the older second-generation Amaze gets benefits of up to ₹57,200. The subcompact sedan rivals the Maruti Dzire and features affordable EMI schemes starting at ₹1,111 per lakh. Hyundai India has announced benefits of up to ₹85,000 across four models this June, the Venue, Exter, i20 and Grand i10 NIOS. These include cash discounts, exchange bonuses, and scrappage incentives. Terms may vary by dealership and region, so buyers should check with local outlets for specifics. The Hyundai Venue gets the highest discount of the lot, offering up to ₹85,000 in benefits. This compact SUV is available in seven trims and three engine options, including a 1.2-litre petrol making 82 bhp, a 1.0-litre turbo petrol producing 118 bhp and a 1.5-litre diesel churning out 113 bhp. Prices range from ₹7.94 lakh to ₹13.62 lakh (ex-showroom), with multiple manual and automatic transmission choices. The Hyundai Exter is available with a total discount of ₹55,000. Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine and also available in CNG, the Exter competes with the Tata Punch. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹5.99 lakh to ₹10.43 lakh. The sporty i20 hatchback gets up to ₹55,000 off this June. With prices between ₹7.04 lakh and ₹11.24 lakh, the i20 remains popular among young buyers. It comes with a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 86.7 bhp and 114.7 Nm, mated to either a manual or IVT gearbox. Hyundai's most affordable offering, the Grand i10 NIOS, sees benefits of up to ₹65,000 this month. It is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine making 81 bhp and 113.8 Nm and offers manual and AMT transmission options. Ex-showroom pricing for the NIOS ranges between ₹5.98 lakh and ₹8.38 lakh. Tata Motors has also kicked off a nationwide monsoon service camp for its customers, running from June 6 to June 20 across 1,090 workshops in 500 cities. This initiative includes a free top wash, a 30-point vehicle inspection, and discounts on parts, labour, engine oil, and accessories. Alongside this, Tata is offering impressive discounts on its electric vehicle range, including the Curvv EV, Nexon EV, Punch EV, and Tiago EV. The Curvv EV sees benefits of up to ₹70,000 on MY2024 stock, with ₹50,000 as a green bonus and ₹20,000 under exchange or scrappage schemes. The Nexon EV, with 30 kWh and 45 kWh battery options, is available with a total discount of ₹40,000. The Punch EV and Tiago EV, both available with benefits on MY2024 and select MY2025 units, offer discounts of up to ₹70,000 depending on the variant. These deals are limited to specific variants and stocks, making it essential for buyers to check with local Tata dealerships. Celebrating its fourth anniversary in the Indian market, Citroen is offering substantial savings of up to ₹2.80 lakh on select models until June 30. These anniversary offers are aimed at both new and existing customers. In addition to the savings, current Citroen owners are entitled to a complimentary car spa during this promotional period. The brand has yet to specify which models are covered under the full ₹2.80 lakh benefit, so potential buyers are encouraged to visit Citroen's official website or connect with their nearest showroom for detailed information.
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Indian Express
Chennai startup gifts brand new SUVs to long-serving employees to celebrate 10th anniversary
As part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, Chennai-based technology solutions provider Agilisium surprised 25 of its longest-serving employees with brand new Hyundai Creta SUVs. These employees have been with the company since its inception, completing a decade of service. The celebration took place at Agilisium's headquarters in Chennai's World Trade Center and brought together over 500 employees for what turned into an emotional and proud moment. The SUV giveaway was kept tightly under wraps, making the reveal all the more special for the recipients and their families, as reported by The Hindu Businessline. Along with the grand gesture, Agilisium also rolled out performance-based salary hikes across all levels, signaling its commitment to employee growth even during cautious industry times. 'At Agilisium, we have always believed that our people are our strongest differentiator,' Raj Babu, the company's founder and CEO told the publication. 'Gestures like these do more than just reward performance, they deeply energize our culture.' Sharing glimpses from the event on LinkedIn, Agilisium wrote, 'This wasn't merely a recognition of tenure; it celebrated the spirit of generosity in our culture from the start… In that gesture, we saw what Agilisium had become: a community dedicated to rewarding loyalty, fostering growth, and valuing the human story behind every milestone.' The post quickly gained traction online, drawing applause for the company's meaningful approach to employee appreciation. An individual wrote, 'Kudos to Agilisium for recognizing loyalty with such a meaningful gesture.' Another person commented, 'Perseverance and loyalty pave the way to glory & perfection. Wishing you more laurels on the trot.' Many others commented with 'Congratulations' and saying 'lovely gesture' to the Agilisium team.
India Today
18 hours ago
- India Today
Renault Duster and Bigster: Launch and more details of Renault's comeback cars in India
Renault was the one company that created the mid-size SUV in India with the Renault Duster. While it was a runaway success, the Duster faded out as it never got the upgrade it needed to tackle competition like the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos, among other SUVs. Quite obviously, sales declined, and eventually the Duster went off the showroom floor. Ever since then, the company has been banking on models like the Renault Kwid, Renault Kiger and the Renault Triber. But quite simply, that is not going to be enough for the company. They need a powerhouse product. They need the Duster and more to be back, and that is exactly what the company is all set to do. Both the Duster and the Bigster will share the same CMF-B platform. advertisementAt the recent inauguration of their new design studio in Chennai, the company confirmed that alongside the Duster, Renault has ambitious plans to launch five new vehicles in the next two years, including an electric vehicle designed for both Indian and global markets. So the Duster with be the first to be re-launched, and it will be followed by a seven-seater variant of the same in a few months. Something like what Hyundai offers with the Hyundai Creta and the Hyundai Alcazar. But let's delve into the details of these SUVs and see what they promise to Duster: What to expect? The new Duster features a modern look but still retains the rugged design DNA. advertisementThe new-generation Duster is an all-new SUV, and as a result, it is based on a new CMF-B platform that will also underpin the larger 7-seat version of the SUV. On the CMF-B platform, the All-New Duster has more space for passengers and luggage than the previous generation, while maintaining the same overall length of 4,340mm. The new Duster features a modern look but still retains the rugged design DNA as seen in the older versions. Inside, the SUV will come with modern touches like a large infotainment system, a digital instrument panel and modern climate control system. Renault will also load the Duster with ADAS among a plethora of other safety features. When it comes to powertrains, the new Duster will come with petrol and diesel engines and CNG and mild-hybrid options are also said to be on cards. The CNG variants could very well be retrofit kits that would be done at dealership level as the company had done some time back with Kwid, Kiger and Triber. As for the specifications, the international model is offered with three engine options. This includes a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol mill, 1.2-litre petrol-hybrid, and a 1.6-litre Bigster: Details of the 7-seat variant While the Bigster is based on the same platform as the Duster, the SUV is longer than the Duster by 227mm. The Bigster has also been revealed internationally and there are speculations that it will be called the Boreal in India. While the Bigster is based on the same platform as the Duster, the SUV is longer than the Duster by 227mm. The wheelbase of the Bigster stands at 2,702mm which again is longer than the Duster's wheelbase by 45mm. Inside the Bigster will come with three-row seating with the third row being the one that will allow a folding feature. Boot space of the Bigster is rated at 677 litres. Boot space of the Bigster is rated at 677 litres as compared to the Duster's 560 litres. Needless to say, both SUVs will allow a folding feature on the rear seats. We believe that the SUVs will share engine and transmission options as Duster and Bigster: When will Renault launch them? Both the SUVs will likely share engine and transmission options. Renault is currently completing the acquisition of the alliance plant in Chennai. The company is quite clear that starting the first quarter of next year, it will start launches of new vehicles starting with the Duster. The Bigster will follow in the next couple of months. These SUVs will have to take on the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Astor, Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the Tata to Auto Today Magazine
