A brand new hybrid powertrain has been confirmed for the Renault DusterSUV – a rival to the Suzuki Jimny and Subaru Crosstrek – within the UK, suggesting it may come to Australia.
The hybrid powertrain from the Dacia Bigster – a equally styled, barely longer SUV utilizing the identical underpinnings because the Duster – has been locked in for UK showrooms, with additional particulars together with pricing to be introduced when order books open in November.
The Duster was launched in Australia in July 2025 – dropping its European Dacia branding for the extra acquainted Renault badge – as a cost-conscious small SUV to rival the hot-selling Jimny and common Crosstrek.
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“At this stage the variants unveiled in Europe in a single day should not accessible for Australia,” a Renault Australia spokesperson instructed CarExpert.
The Australian Duster lineup presently contains two petrol powertrains throughout two trim ranges.
There’s a 113kW/270Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized on 4×2 fashions, and a 96kW/230Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder gentle hybrid and six-speed guide that’s unique to 4×4 fashions.
The hybrid powertrain the Duster will inherit from the Bigster brings an 81kW/172Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electrical motors – one with 37kW, the opposite appearing as a high-voltage starter/generator – for a complete system output of 115kW.
There’s no clutch within the hybrid powertrain, that means it units off below electrical energy within the Bigster – utilizing power from its 1.4kWh battery – the place it’s supplied in front-wheel drive solely and has a 9.7-second 0-100km/h declare.
Within the UK, the hybrid carries a premium of round £3000 ($A6182) over different variations of the Bigster, suggesting an analogous worth hole for the Duster.
Official gasoline financial system within the Bigster is 62.8mpg (4.5L/100km), with Dacia UK saying the identical powertrain within the Duster will provide an analogous 4.6L/100km.
That simply betters the present 5.7L/100km within the Duster 4×4 offered right here, which can enhance after an replace of the 1.2-litre mild-hybrid powertrain within the UK, too.
It sees a decrease 5.4L/100km gasoline determine together with an influence bump from the present 96kW to 104kW – however with the identical 230Nm torque determine.
Renault Australia has confirmed six new or up to date fashions will be part of the Duster in Australia from each the Renault and Dacia ranges over the subsequent 24 months, however hasn’t confirmed which fashions are deliberate for native showrooms.
The Dacia lineup within the UK – one other right-hand drive market like Australia – affords six fashions, together with the entry-level electrical Spring small crossover SUV, in addition to the Sandero small hatchback and Jogger wagon. These sit under the Duster and Bigster within the vary.
MORE: Discover the Renault Duster showroom