DESIGNED to suit all types of roads and tracks, Renault Duster is a crossover SUV having a measurement of 4.31m long, 1.82m wide, ground clearance of 210mm, short overhangs (822mm at the front and 820mm at the rear) and large off-road angles. Launched in Saudi Arabia almost three months ago, the French car manufacturer's Romanian-built Duster, powered by a 2.0-litre engine producing 135 hp and 195 Nm of torque, immediately captivates car aficionados interest. Customers have a choice of 4-speed automatic “4×2” front-wheel-drive model, or a 6-speed manual “4×4” four-wheel-drive model. After subjecting Duster to test drive, one could not help but corroborate what Adel Al-Kreemi – in charge of Jeddah showroom, Gulf Advantage Automobiles LLC, exclusive distributor of Renault cars in KSA – said that 1,000 units were already sold even before the launch itself of the car in the Kingdom. Other customers paid an advanced deposit to be sure of being included in the next batch of Duster import arrival, he noted. Literally, the compact yet roomy Renault Duster 2012 is taking car enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia by storm. Rear passenger headroom (seat cushion to roof) is 895mm, knee room is 183mm and elbow room amounts to 1,438mm, offering traveling comfort to three adults at the rear, where there is also ample space to fit child seats. Without any doubt, Renault Duster's perfectly combined its compact footprint and high ground clearance to ensure that it is at home in and about town as it is on country roads or off the beaten track. Moreover, the Duster weighs less than 1,300kg, making it quite agile over challenging conditions. Renault has managed to make the Duster a great handler, without ride going for a toss. Independent MacPherson struts in front and non-independent, torsion beams at the back are capable of soaking up bumps well enough. With departure angles of more than 30 degrees, the Duster has remarkable off-road capability as well. Large chrome grilles and dual barrel headlamps give the Duster a ruggedized appearance up front. The 4x2 4-speed AT version is available in two trim levels, the entry PE and the upper SE. The 4x4 6-speed MT version is available in the upper SE trim level to enhance the off-road versatile driving experience for keen customers. Thermal comfort has been engineered to meet the challenge of the Arabian peninsula climate. Particular care has been taken with the routing of ducts to ensure fast cooling after starting in extreme heat. In Saudi Arabia, Duster price ranges from SR53,500 to SR64,000 and with a warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first. Duster has received more than 10 awards from trade press. These include the “2011 4×4 of the Year” prizes in France and Argentina, “2011 Car of the Year” in Croatia and Russia, “Autobest 2011” prize in Germany and “Golden Steering Wheel” award in Romania. – SG/QJM
