Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo Petrol MPFi Planned – Lower Price Up To Rs 1.5 Lakh

Renault India has been making some major course corrections to re-establish the Duster brand in the Asian Subcontinent. Duster made a significant initial impact and even the just launched Duster Hybrid is considerably superior than what the rivals have been offering. However, the impressive packaging has not translated into sales.

That is what Renault seems to be fixing now with a new version of Duster powered by a low-cost 1.3L MPFI Turbo Petrol engine. Currently, Duster is offered with a 1.0L Turbo Petrol engine and a 1.3L TGDI Turbo Petrol engine along with the 1.8L Hybrid powertrain. With the 1.3L MPFI Turbo Petrol, Renault might increase the appeal of Duster to the mainstream and boost sales.

Renault Duster 1.3 MPFI Turbo Petrol Version

India is a tough market to crack as it is price sensitive, design sensitive (remember the Captur?) and then sensitive to packaging and equipment. Renault knows this by now and the company seems to be working on a simpler and low-cost 1.3L MPFI Turbo Petrol engine option as opposed to the more powerful TGDI 1.3L Petrol engine option.

MPFI Turbo Petrol engines are relatively more cost-effective and as it gets simpler fueling. This MPFI Turbo Petrol engine option is not likely to replace the more performant 1.3L TGDI Turbo Petrol engine, but sell alongside it in a multi-powertrain strategy. The 1.3L TGDI Turbo Petrol engine makes 163 bhp and 280 Nm.

This more affordable and less sophisticated 1.3L MPFI Turbo Petrol engine might develop around 140 bhp and 250 Nm, which are still quite respectable from a 1.3L 4-cylinder displacement stand point. With this move, Renault might reduce the price of the 1.3L versions by up to Rs 1.5 lakh over equivalent TGDI versions.

What Could Change?

The same 1.3L HR13 4-cylinder engine will continue duties with the Turbo setup. However, the sophisticated TGDI hardware will be replaced with a simpler and low-cost MPFI setup. This move will slash production costs significantly as complex engineering elements are negated and then Renault could also eliminate the expensive GPF exhaust after-treatment system too.

With this update, Renault is also likely to offer better low-end tractability and reduce low-end turbo lag. With the MPFI Turbo Petrol engine, Renault could also offer a factory-fitted CNG powertrain option as port-injection system in MPFI engine offers better compatibility with CNG fuel over direct injection seen in TGDI systems. More details will follow soon.

Source – Autocar India