The automatic variant will come paired with a CVT instead of the AMT on the diesel trim
Renault gave the Duster a much-needed update last year. The facelifted Duster received as many as 32 cosmetic and mechanical changes including the launch of two new diesel AMT variants. With sales numbers of the Duster just about crossing the 1000 units mark each month, Renault has nothing to write home about. A majority of the sales comes from the diesel iterations of the Duster. Now, to push the sales of the petrol, Renault is expected to bring in an automatic version soon.
Unlike the diesel auto with comes mated to an AMT, the Renault Duster petrol automatic will come fitted with a CVT. Aside from the gearbox, this new version of the Duster will continue to be powered by 104bhp 1.6-litre unit. Renault has always sold the Duster petrol in the lower spec RXE and RXL trims but the automatic is likely to come in the mid and top-spec variants. If Renault’s history is something to go by, expect the Duster CVT to be as amiable as the Micra CVT.
This move comes in light of its competitors like the Hyundai Creta and the Honda BR-V – both of which come with automatic gearbox options in their petrol models. Currently, the petrol variants of the Duster are priced at Rs 8.64 lakh for the RXE variant and Rs 9.45 lakh for the RXL trim. Expect the Duster petrol CVT to demand around Rs 40,000 more than its manual counterparts. The Honda BR-V petrol automatic is priced at Rs 12.26 lakh while the Hyundai Creta petrol AT carries a sticker price of Rs 12.97 lakh. All prices ex-showroom Delhi.
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