The butch look of an off-roader at an affordable price is a proven recipe. This recipe is the reason for the Thar’s popularity. And now another automaker wishes to replicate this recipe with its new SUV, and here is what you should know about it. Attention Readers! Join us on Whatsapp Community for daily auto news updates
Mini-Duster Revealed!
The Duster name has worked wonders for the Renault brand over the years. And it now wants to further capitalise on that name with a sub-4 m version. Initially codenamed Mini-Duster, Renault has unveiled its concept model – the Bridger.
The Bridger concept is a sub-4m SUV that will take on the mighty Thar and other compact SUVs like the Venue, Nexon, Sonet, etc. And by the looks of it, it could give other SUVs a run for their money. Its boxy stance mimics the Defender, and could attract many customers on its own.
Some other key aesthetic details include the bold blacked-out grille, chunky wheel arches and a tail-mounted spare wheel. All these elements give it the look of a rugged off-roader. Interestingly, the concept model does not look over-the-top, and we can expect the production spec to closely resemble it.
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Powertrain
A few days ago, reports surfaced online that Renault would offer 5 powertrain options with the Bridger. These options include –
1.2-litre NA Petrol
CNG
EV (35kWh & 55kWh packs)
Turbo-Petrol
Hybrid
Given its rugged looks, we can also expect it to be offered with a 4WD drivetrain. The only other sub-4 m SUV that offers 4WD at the moment is the Mahindra Thar.
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Mini-Duster Revealed – Expected Features
While the interiors have yet to be revealed, we expect them to share many components with the Duster and Kiger. Some of the expected features include –
An ADAS suite
Electric Sunroof
Ventilated front seats
10.1-inch infotainment screen
Fully-digital driver’s display
Wireless charging, etc.
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Expected Pricing & Launch
The compact SUV segment is highly competitive, and Renault would have to price it aggressively to compete with the likes of the Thar and the Nexon. We expect a price tag between Rs 10-20 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).
Industry sources suggest that we could see the concept come to life by Diwali (October – November) of next year. Do you think that the Bridger could cause the Thar some trouble? Let us know your thoughts below.
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