Renault India wants to leave no stone unturned before introducing the Duster

Chennai reader Bairesh Raj, who regularly spies cars in and around Chennai, is back on our front page for his spyshots of the Duster. Renault has been testing the five-seat Duster SUV since mid-2011 around the Chennai plant. Bairesh explains that the road presence of this animal, despite its lines and curves cloaked, is something different.

Readers of Indian Autos Blog know that Renault has nixed the 1.6-liter petrol from the Europe-spec model for the more fuel efficient and localized 1.5-liter HR15DE from the Sunny. The 1.5 DCI on the other hand is expected to return well over 20kmpl on this mini SUV anticipated to touch down in June or July.

Renault showed the Duster at the Auto Expo but locked the display car preventing us from getting a feel of the interiors. The form of the Duster and a low starting price are the main reasons for its impressive show in Europe. The mouth-watering design also suits most budgets.

Renault India does not have original cars in the sub-10 lakh price segments. The Pulse is a Micra wearing Renault's mask and the Sunny-based sedan expected in the last quarter of 2012 is from the same basket. The Koleos and Fluence cars are brand shapers selling in limited numbers in the D segment. The Duster is the first original Renault car in volumes segment.

Renault can be assured of impressive results if this SUV can be priced between 7-9 lakh rupees.

Renault Duster spyshots slideshow

can't see the slideshow above? Head over to the Renault Duster Flickr Gallery to see the images directly.