The new-generation Renault Duster has gone on sale in India with its official price announcement. The SUV is currently available with the 100bhp, 1.0L turbo and 163bhp, 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine options, while the strong hybrid powertrain will be introduced by Diwali 2026.
Also Read: Renault Duster Hybrid Sold Out Before Launch; Bookings Halted
Renault Duster CNG Still Under Consideration
Speaking at the launch event of the new Duster, Dr Vikraman V, Chief of Renault Engineering at Renault Group, revealed that a CNG variant of the SUV could be considered in the future, but only if there’s enough market demand. This is primarily because a CNG powertrain doesn’t align with the Duster’s rugged and sporty positioning.
Official Statement
Dr Vikraman V said that “CNG is something we have to really see how it fits into the Duster brand. Because some people perceive CNG to be against the sporty nature of the car. We do not want to have any kind of dilution to what the brand stands for.”
He further added, “I’m neither saying yes nor no [regarding the Duster CNG], but we’ll be very watchful about the competition, market, and of course, customer requirement.”
Turbo CNG Possibility
In an interview with Autocar, Francisco Hidalgo, Vice President at Renault India, stated that a CNG doesn’t have to be paired with a naturally aspirated petrol engine, and could instead use a turbocharged setup. However, no further details were shared during the conversation. The new Renault Duster is built on the all-new RGMP platform that supports ICE, hybrid and CNG powertrains without major packaging issues.
Expected Competition & Pricing
If the Duster CNG makes it to the market, it unlikely to have any direct rival in the midsize SUV segment. It will potentially create a niche and attract both personal buyers and fleet operators. The Renault Duster CNG is expected to be priced a premium of around Rs 90,000 over its petrol counterpart.