The Renault Duster 4x4 has been spied testing in international markets, for the first time showing the electric rear axle. While the model spied, courtesy of Motor.es, wears Dacia badges, the SUV from Renault is near-identical, apart from minor design changes.
- Duster 4x4 combines mild-hybrid 1.2-litre turbo-petrol with e-motor
- Rear axle e-motor setup similar to Jeep Avenger 4xe
- Renault Duster India launch in 2026
2025 Renault Duster 4x4 with electric rear axle
Rear axle e-motor developed by Valeo
Duster e-4x4 to get automatic gearbox only
The third-gen Duster was revealed for international markets last year, though the version with the electric AWD system has yet to arrive. The latest images of the SUV on test clearly show the electric motor on the rear axle. Similar to the Duster 4x4 LPG spied recently, the standard model utilises a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a 48V mild-hybrid system, along with the aforementioned motor on the rear axle.
Combined outputs have yet to be revealed, but in essence, the rear axle motor will only come into play in low-grip situations, or when the driver selects an off-road mode on the terrain selection system available on the international-spec Duster. The system has been developed by French brand Valeo, and works in a similar manner to the Jeep Avenger 4xe’s system. Sources tell us that an automatic gearbox will be standard on the Duster 4x4 with the electric rear axle.
Renault Duster India launch details
Renault Duster 4x4 unlikely for India
To be followed by Renault Bigster
As we had reported earlier, Renault will bring the new Duster to India in 2026, as production is slated to begin in September of this year. The French company has yet to confirm which powertrain options it’ll offer in India with its Hyundai Creta rival, though the 4x4 version, especially the Duster e-AWD is an unlikely choice, due to aggressive cost targets. We do know that it'll be petrol-only offering.
Nissan’s version of the Duster is likely to follow the Renault SUV, and then seven-seat versions from the two brands – based on the recently revealed Bigster – will launch in India after.
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