Putting end to all speculations about the arrival of Duster with an automatic transmission, the latest spy pictures from AutocarIndia confirms the arrival of AMT gearbox and not the touted six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission (DCT) that is available with the international Dacia/Renault Dusters.
The AMT gearbox in all probability is expected to be the Easy-R gearbox. The Easy-R gearbox debuted at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show employed in the Dacia Duster. Dacia is the sub-brand of Renault. The transmission is fitted with computer-controlled electromechanical actuators that perform a surrogate role for the driver like declutching, changing gear and then re-engaging the clutch. This is the same set-up used in the country's first ever AMT vehicle, the Celerio.
Since the AMT gearbox has the basic construction and principle of a manual transmission, the gearbox is instrumental in returning higher fuel efficiency and also cost effective to the manufacturer.
The DCT gearbox is smoother and quick in comparison to AMT. However, the DCT is far more expensive than the AMT, which will prompt Renault to increase the price by a significant margin. As Duster has many rivals than before and is the bread and butter model for the manufacturer, Renault doesn't want to experiment selling DCT gearbox with increasing price.
The previous spy pictures indicated that the front end of the car will have a different grille. The current multi-slat grill is more likely to make way for a single slat grille, which is in line with the Duster sold in international markets. There will be a rearranged headlamp cluster and redesigned tail lamps. Additionally, the facelift will feature newly-designed alloy wheels.
In the interior, a redesigned dashboard with up-market upholstery can be expected. The model will continue to have seven-inch MediaNAV infotainment display and cruise control.