Next-gen Renault Duster with 7 seats - Rendering

Will be underpinned by a 'modular' platform.

The Dacia Duster/Renault Duster, one of the most popular models with global sales of over 1 million units, will see a successor sometime in 2017, reports Quatrorodas. Sources told the publication that the second generation Duster will look more-or-less similar to the current Duster facelift (which is yet to launch in India but is available in global markets) but will present its design traits in a more modern way.

Based on a new platform, the 2017 Duster will grow marginally in breadth and height, but incrementally in length. According to the report, there will be two versions of the second gen Duster: a regular 5-seater and an extended 7-seater, the latter being represented in these renderings.

Both variants of the new Duster will be based on a new platform, which the publication terms 'modular', hinting that it could be the CMF architecture. Where the regular Duster will measure about 4.3 meters in length, the Duster 7-seater will be about 4.5 meters in length thanks to an extended wheelbase. The 7-seat Duster is expected to launch a year after the introduction of the regular 5-seater variant.

Also read: Next-gen 2016 Renault Megane confirmed for Frankfurt Motor Show debut

India is the fourth largest market for the Duster, which is manufactured with a high degree of localization at Renault-Nissan Alliance's Chennai plant. A 7-seat version of the Duster would serve as an ideal rival to the Mahindra Scorpio, which competes with the Duster on price.

[Renderings from Quatrorodas]