Despite the fact that "Duster" has been on the market for many years, it remains the best-selling model of the French automaker. In addition, at the beginning of April 2014 he had an "anniversary" - the "millionth Duster" was released ... In addition, I would like to note that at the end of 2013 this crossover underwent its first restyling (insignificant, but added to the car's attractiveness ... alas, the "Russian version "He bypassed).
All this, taken together, gives a good reason for a detailed acquaintance with the "Duster" in its "Russian performance". So let's get started ...
The compact crossover Renault Duster went into production in 2010, immediately gaining recognition from motorists around the world. The car was created jointly by Renault and Nissan on the basis of the Nissan B0 platform, and up to 70% of the parts in its design were borrowed from other cars of the French and Japanese automakers. Duster gained the greatest popularity in Russia, apparently due to the involvement of the Russian designer Arseny Kostromin, who developed the Duster Concept in 2009. If you follow this logic, then in the future, the popularity of Duster should grow at an even faster pace, because the restyling of 2013 is the handiwork of another Russian designer, Evgeny Tkachev, who managed to light up earlier while working on the Lada XRAY concept car ... but, unfortunately, the Russian version Restyling did not touch Duster.
In Russia, sales of this budget crossover started in 2012, and by mid-2014 more than 150,000 crossovers had already been sold, which is the first indicator in terms of sales volume among all countries in which Duster is known. In light of this, it would be logical to produce the millionth copy in Russia, but the champion's laurels went to the Brazilian Renault plant, where the jubilee crossover rolled off the assembly line in early April '14.
But enough of the lyrics, let's move on to more mundane things. Let's start with the exterior. Although the exterior of this crossover is not a trendsetter, it looks quite solid, neat and quite modern in its class. In terms of dimensions, the car is quite compact, which is very useful when maneuvering around Russian city courtyards, always crowded with parked cars. The length of the crossover body is 4315 mm, the length of the wheelbase is 2673 mm, the width of the body fits into the frame of 1822 mm, and the height is limited to 1625 mm. The ground clearance (clearance) of the crossover is 205 mm. The curb weight, depending on the configuration, varies from 1280 to 1450 kg.
If there are no special complaints about the exterior of the Duster, then the interior of the crossover clearly let us down. Even in spite of the finish, special for Russia, which is noticeably richer than the European one, to call his salon successful - the language will not turn out to be.
Of course, it is quite spacious for a compact crossover and there is much more space for rear passengers than, for example, in the Chevrolet Niva, but frankly cheap and simple plastic in the finish, which, moreover, constantly creaks, ultimately spoils all the sensations. Adds a negative and not entirely convenient front panel, on which access to some controls is often blocked by the gearshift lever. In the asset of the Renault Duster salon, you can write down only excellent visibility and sound insulation, which is noticeably better than that of competitors in the price segment.
But the trunk of this crossover for a compact car is quite decent. For front-wheel drive versions, it holds 475 liters in the base, which increases to 1636 liters with the rear row of seats folded down. The all-wheel drive versions offer only 408 liters of usable space in the base and 1570 liters with the second row seats folded.
Specifications. In Russia, Renault Duster is offered with three powerplant options. The role of the base engine is assigned to the K4M gasoline engine. It has 4 in-line cylinders with a total displacement of 1.6 liters (1598 cm³), a 16-valve DOHC timing mechanism and a multipoint fuel injection system. The K4M engine complies with the Euro-4 emission standards and at 5750 rpm it delivers its maximum power equal to 102 hp. The peak torque of the junior motor falls at around 145 Nm, which is already achieved at 3750 rpm. A 102-horsepower unit is aggregated with a 5-speed "mechanics" in the front-wheel drive version and with a 6-speed manual transmission in the version with an all-wheel drive system. In the first case, the starting acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes about 11.8 seconds, and the average fuel consumption in a mixed mode of operation does not exceed 7.6 liters. In the second case, the starting acceleration will take a long 13.5 seconds, and the fuel consumption will increase to 8.2 liters.
The senior gasoline engine in Russia is the F4R inline 4-cylinder unit with a displacement of 2.0 liters (1998 cm³), which is also equipped with a 16-valve DOHC timing belt and a distributed fuel injection system. This engine is capable of producing up to 135 hp. power at 5500 rpm, as well as about 195 Nm of torque at 3750 rpm. As a gearbox for the F4R, the French offer a 6-speed "mechanics", available only on all-wheel drive versions, or a 4-band "automatic". Renault Duster modifications with a "handle" accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in exactly 10.4 seconds, while consuming about 7.8 liters of fuel in the combined driving cycle. The front-wheel drive version of the crossover with an “automatic” gains the first hundred on the speedometer in 11.2 seconds and spends an average of about 8.2 liters for every 100 kilometers. Similar figures for the all-wheel drive modification are equal to 11.7 seconds and 8.7 liters.
Present in the line of Duster engines and a diesel power unit. In Russia, the K9K inline engine with four cylinders is offered, the working volume of which is 1.5 liters (1461 cm³). The diesel boasts an 8-valve timing, direct fuel injection and turbocharging. The maximum engine power is 90 hp. achieved at 4000 rpm, but already at 1750 rpm, the engine is ready to provide the driver with all 200 Nm of available torque. A diesel engine is aggregated only with a 6-speed "mechanics", thanks to which it allows the crossover to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 15.6 seconds. As for fuel consumption, the diesel Renault Duster consumes no more than 5.3 liters in the combined cycle. Note that diesel is much better suited to Russian winters than gasoline units, it is not at all afraid of severe frosts and is not so sensitive to fuel quality.
It is worth saying a few separate words about the automatic transmission. You will not surprise anyone in the world with a front-wheel drive version of the Duster with an “automatic”, but an all-wheel drive “two-pedal” crossover is exclusively the prerogative of Russia. For modification "Duster 4х4" the well-known and time-tested "automatic machine" DP2 is used. It was on its basis that the DP8 automatic transmission installed on the Duster 4 × 4 was designed. The new automatic transmission was developed specifically for Russia with the involvement of Russian specialists. Pre-production tests also took place in Russia, so the DP8 transmission is perfectly adapted to our conditions. Unlike the donor box, the "all-wheel drive" automatic transmission received an increased gear ratio of the main pair, a different software control shell and a separate cooling circuit to prevent overheating during slipping in mud or snow. It is with the latest innovation that the main embarrassments of the first test drives of Renault Duster 4x4 with automatic transmission are connected, when a loosely fixed cooling pipe tore off under high loads, for example, climbing uphill on difficult ground, which led to various breakdowns, up to a complete shutdown of the automatic transmission control electronics. Subsequently, the manufacturer made appropriate changes to the design, changing and strengthening the fastening of the branch pipe, so that at the moment this problem has remained in the past.
As mentioned above, this car is built on the basis of the Nissan B0 platform, which means it is the closest relative of the Nissan Juke and practically the twin brother of the new Nissan Terrano. However, the Nissan B0 platform for Duster was significantly modified, which allowed the use of the Nissan All Mode 4 × 4-i all-wheel drive system with an electromagnetic clutch, as well as a different rear axle. The front suspension of the crossover is independent, based on MacPherson struts. At the rear, two suspension options are offered: a semi-independent torsion bar for front-wheel drive modifications and an independent multi-link design for all-wheel drive versions. On the front wheels of the crossover, ventilated brakes are used with discs with a diameter of 269 mm in the initial configuration and 280 mm in more expensive versions. On the rear wheels, the French limited themselves to 9-inch drum brakes. The rack and pinion steering mechanism is complemented by a simple hydraulic booster.
In general, this is a solid "people's" car with decent driving characteristics in city conditions and excellent cross-country ability for a state-owned crossover, since the high ground clearance allows you not to be afraid of many obstacles. First of all, this applies to all-wheel drive modifications, which on the off-road show themselves no worse, and sometimes even better than the popular Chevrolet Niva. In any case, in comparison with the VAZ brainchild, Renault Duster is practically not susceptible to diagonal hanging, and it is much easier to remove from side sliding. As for public roads, on asphalt, Duster demonstrates good directional stability (in trim levels equipped with the ESP system), maneuvers easily, confidently copes with turns at speeds above average, but has some problems with emergency braking, demonstrating not the best performance in the class.
Options and prices. The Russian version of the Duster is offered in four equipment options: "Authentique", "Expression", "Privilege" and "Luxe Privilege".
The basic equipment of "Authentique" assumes very meager equipment: 16-inch steel wheels, fabric interior, trunk lighting, immobilizer, ABS and driver's airbag. The more attractive Expression version adds roof rails, front power windows, a height-adjustable steering column, remote control central locking, a stock audio system and height-adjustable front seat belts.
The cost of Renault Duster in Russia starts at 590,000 rubles. The most affordable all-wheel drive version is priced at 672,000 rubles. Front-wheel drive modification with automatic transmission will cost at least 756,000 rubles, and for an all-wheel drive crossover with automatic transmission dealers ask from 806,000 rubles. "Top Duster" is offered at a price of 868,000 rubles.
