In Images - Renault Duster makes a splash in South American markets

The Duster fever has gripped the Indian market and before it breaks cover here, Renault is launching it in the Argentinian and Brazilian markets. For consumption in their region, the Duster is manufactured at the Curitiba plant with 1.6-, 2.0-liter petrol engines paired to 5- and 6-speed transmissions.

The Dacia badges are replaced with the silver diamond and top-end variants with 4X4 layout are off-road ready.

The Indian specification Duster will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan combine's Oragadam plant near Chennai. It will be launched in mid-2012 in both 2WD and 4WD options. Will Renault bring the Duster to the Auto Expo and show it alongside the V-Platform hatchback?

For our market, Renault will use the Micra's 1.5L diesel engine tuned for an output of around 85HP. Renault has the option of using the Sunny's new 1.5-liter petrol if at all they are interested in developing an India-specific petrol variant.

The Duster will be priced under 10 lakh rupees as Renault is planning an intense localization program instead of selling through the CKD route adopted on the Fluence and Koleos models which the company launched to mainly reshape the brand after the Logan project didn't go as per plan.

[Image sourced from FaceBook.com/Renault]