Renault-Nissan alliance aims to tap the mainstream Indian passenger vehicle (PV) market with a range of new models including 4 SUVs and 2 EVs. These will be locally produced models that will be shared between the two brands. The carmaker has confirmed that the upcoming SUVs (based on the CMF-B platform) will belong to the C and higher C-segment and the EVs (built on the CMF-A platform) will be positioned in the A-segment. While the Renault will bring in the new-generation Duster in 5 and 7-seats layouts, Nissan will introduce the new Duster based SUVs along with the three-row X-Trail. Here’re some key details of the upcoming Renault and Nissan SUVs.
New-Gen Renault Duster
The third-generation Renault Duster will hit Indian roads in fiscal year 2024. Measuring around 4.6-meters in length, the SUV’s 5-seater version will go up against the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Grand Vitara. Design and styling of the all-new Duster (both 5 and 7-seater) will be inspired by the Dacia Bigster SUV and it will be bigger than its previous generation. This time around, the SUV will be made available with two petrol engines – 1.5L, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated and 1.5L turbo GDi. It will come with both FWD (front-wheel drive) and AWD (all-wheel drive) system. While the former will be offered on the lower trims, the latter will be reserved for the higher variants. More details here…
Nissan’s Duster-based SUVs
Nissan’s upcoming 5 and 7-seater SUVs will be based on the new-generation Renault Duster. That means, the models will be designed on the CMF-B modular platform that supports multiple body styles and powertrains. It also helps the carmaker interchange components between vehicles and make them as per market and customers’ requirements. While most of its styling bits will be similar to the Duster, Nissan will make a few changes to differentiate its SUVs from their donor siblings. Powertrain setup will also be borrowed from the new Duster. More details here…
Nissan X-Trail
Nissan X-Trail will be the first strong hybrid model from the Japanese automaker in India. In global markets, it’s offered with the 1.5L turbo petrol with mild hybrid and 1.5L turbo petrol with strong hybrid tech options. The overall length, width and height of the SUV stand at 4680mm, 2065mm and 1725mm respectively. The 7-seater SUV will have second and third row seats with 40:20:40 and 50:50 split ratio respectively. In terms of features, the X-Trail offers a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the latest smartphone connectivity, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.8-inch HUD unit, electronic parking brake, tri-zone climate control and ADAS suite. More details here…
