Renault India has recently inaugurated a new design centre near Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and has announced to launch of five new products in the country, out of which the first will arrive in three months. For its upcoming lineup, the French carmaker is exploring a multi-fuel strategy instead of bringing back diesel cars. The company plans to explore ethanol, range-extender and strong hybrids for the Indian market.
According to Venkatram Mamillapalle, MD & CEO of Renault India, the Indian market is very diverse, and companies have to choose their fuel strategy wisely. He added that mild hybrids aren’t very useful in India, which is why Renault is more interested in full or strong hybrids.
One of the most anticipated Renault products for India is the new-generation Duster, which is expected to be launched with a petrol engine first, followed by a hybrid version. A 7-seater version of the SUV, called the Bigster, is also under consideration for the Indian market, and it may get the same hybrid powertrain as the Duster.
While timelines aren’t revealed yet, reports suggest Renault intends to introduce the hybrid around the same time as the petrol version.
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Globally, the Renault Duster is already being sold with mild-hybrid and strong-hybrid engines. The strong hybrid model combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and a 1.2 kWh battery pack, providing a combined output of 140ps. It is claimed to run in pure electric mode for up to 80% of city driving. However, for now, the brand is studying to make hybrid tech affordable and suitable for Indian customers. But it is clear that the brand is moving towards cleaner and more efficient vehicles for the future.
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