Renault Duster - the brainchild of a French automobile concern, a solid SUV with the price of a budget sedan. This is already a guarantee of popularity, but it is also distinguished by its striking design, and good technical characteristics, and indestructibility on domestic off-road.
SUV Options
French Renault Duster 2011-2015 release was maximally adapted to Russian climatic conditions. All technical fluids and devices can operate at low temperatures, a five-liter tank is installed in the washer fluid, there is also a larger battery of 70A * h and an increased power generator, the windshield cleaning zone has been increased, special operating modes for the interior heating have been applied and the system settings have been changed injection. And also, which is important for an SUV, the bottom is protected by a powerful steel sheet.
“Duster” is produced in mono-and all-wheel drive versions, with three power plant options, with mechanical or automatic transmissions.
1.6 and 2.0 liter gasoline engines with 102 and 135 liter capacity. from. differ in quite decent dynamic characteristics - 13.5 and 10.4 seconds to hundreds of km / h. They also have high fuel consumption - 7/11 and 6.5 / 10.3 liters per 100 km, respectively.
Later, a diesel engine with a capacity of 90 liters appeared on the Duster car. from. and a volume of 1.5 liters, much more economical, but very slow in dynamics. It accelerates to 100 km / h in more than 15 seconds.
For Russians, the SUV comes in four trim levels. The diesel engine is installed on Expression and Privilege vehicles . In these trim levels on the Renault Duster (diesel), the price is 650 thousand rubles. and 705 thousand rubles. without additional equipment.
The Expression is equipped with an airbag for the driver and an ABS system, power steering, Bluetooth audio system, front electric windows, central locking and its remote control, the steering wheel and driver's seat are adjustable in height.
The Privilege package also includes heating and electrically adjustable rear-view mirrors, heated front seats, air conditioning and an on-board computer.
They are slightly different in appearance. The Expression roof rails, door handles and black mirrors, chrome-plated overlay on the grille. In the configuration “Privilege”, chrome-plated roof rails and lining on the exhaust pipe and on the lower parts of the bumpers. Handles and mirrors are painted in body color.
Diesel engine benefits
European car manufacturers are increasingly installing diesel-powered powertrains. Especially often they are used on crossovers and SUVs.
Diesel engines over gasoline have a number of significant advantages, the main of which are efficiency and high torque.
Modern engines of this type consume almost a third less fuel than their gasoline counterparts. Diesel is also cheaper than gasoline.
And one more indisputable advantage of such an aggregate, especially in the conditions of combating harmful emissions, is the low level of carbon dioxide formation.
A significant drawback, at least for the Russian buyer, is the higher price of the car. For example, the price for Renault Duster diesel is 65 thousand rubles higher than for gasoline in the same basic configuration.
In addition, these engines require more frequent maintenance. In any case, in Russia the requirements are as follows. Indeed, diesel fuel contains more than any impurities that clog fuel filters.
Domestic fuel is lower in quality than European, therefore, special additives should be taken into account in fuel costs that do not allow it to freeze at low temperatures, or refuel the car only with high-quality fuel.
Diesel power plant
Renault Duster, like the other twelve Renault models, was powered by a K9K 1.5 dCi engine. This power unit is known for its endurance, efficiency and reliability for more than ten years.
Four-cylinder engine with 8 valves and a timing belt drive, with a modern common rail power system. It is economical, the manufacturer claimed fuel consumption on the highway of 5.0 liters, in the city - 5.9 liters, in the combined cycle - 5.3 liters.
Even at low speeds - 1750 rpm - the engine produces a large torque of 200 Nm.
Maximum torque - 4000 rpm, power - 90 liters. from.
Only a six-speed manual gearbox is used, the machine is not installed on the all-wheel drive version of Renault Duster (diesel).
Specifications Renault Duster
The all-wheel drive version of the car is characterized by a large clearance - 210 mm, but a smaller boot volume - 408/1570 liters than its mono-drive counterpart.
Overall dimensions (L × W × H) - 4.3 × 1.8 × 1.7 m. Curb weight - a little more than 1.3 tons, full - 1.8 tons.
In a six-speed gearbox, the first one is used for severe off-road conditions as low. That is, when traveling on clean and dry asphalt, you need to get off right away from second gear.
Four-wheel drive Renault Duster can operate in three modes.
In the first of these, torque is transmitted to the front wheels. In this mode (2WD), you can accelerate to maximum speed with low fuel consumption.
When the front wheels slip, automatically 50% of the torque is shifted to the rear axle. This is AUTO mode.
In LOCK mode, the electromagnetic clutch is rigidly locked , both axes rotate. In this off-road mode, the maximum amount of fuel is consumed, and the speed should be no more than 80 km / h, otherwise the transmission will overheat so much that the clutch may fail.
Problems with diesel sales
Yes, despite the many advantages of the Renault Duster 1.5 all-wheel drive SUV (diesel), Russian drivers were reluctant to buy it.
The calculation that the version of the crossover on which the heavy fuel engine is installed, characterized by good traction at low speeds with low fuel consumption, will be more in demand than modifications with a weak or gluttonous more powerful gas engine.
At first glance, the difference in price is visible, but is this the only reason? After all, the manufacturer claims a very small fuel consumption. With a large number of trips, a diesel crossover should quickly pay for itself.
Diesel test
“Duster” just asked for a test drive, which would either confirm the characteristics declared by the manufacturer or refute them.
Off-road vehicle is an off-road vehicle. And they acquire it mainly to combine trips around the city and overcoming off-road.
According to reviews, Renault 2011 behaves well on dirt and country roads, with some exertion creeps into the hills overgrown with grass. The clearance is not enough for all the ruts and potholes of a bad road, but a sheltered floor makes this problem less acute. Short overhangs and well-designed bumpers allow him to overcome steep climbs and descents.
The owners of "Renault Duster" had to drive along the streets of large and small cities, through puddles that smoothly turn into a swamp, along highways. And they determined what the main advantage of an SUV on difficult roads is. This is something that does not pity him at all.
Firstly, a fairly simple Renault Duster car (diesel), the equipment of which does not suffer from electronic excesses, and the bottom is reliably protected, it is difficult to break, punch or tear anything necessary on the go.
Secondly, it doesn’t cost so much, it’s quite possible to try to force a puddle or climb a hill, bypassing the road, which will cause some mental anguish in relation to a car worth much more than a million rubles.
Renault Duster (diesel) on the road
According to drivers, Renault is the worst off-road sections with liquid mud. In any case, you can’t stop in the middle of a large puddle. The “Duster” skids in it even in LOCK mode. You can leave only by swinging the car back and forth more than a meter.
Off-road trips confirm that the engine thrust is not enough, the declared torque appears at revolutions significantly higher than 1750. Some drivers call 2000, and some even 2500 rpm. This was perhaps the only significant advantage of a diesel engine over a two-liter gasoline, if you do not take into account fuel economy. Even in the most difficult off-road conditions, when driving for a long time in lowering and first gears with all-wheel drive, the fuel consumption is not more than 9 liters per hundred kilometers.
Renault Duster (diesel) on city streets
Due to the lack of first gear, lack of traction, poor acceleration dynamics on city streets with their traffic lights and the need to change lanes, trips on the diesel Duster are at least uncomfortable. Fuel consumption in this case is up to 8 liters per 100 km.
In the general flow, an SUV can only move in fourth gear. These shortcomings are emphasized in the Renault Duster diesel owner reviews.
All the disadvantages of a low-power engine are manifested in the torn rhythm of life in a metropolis, but almost completely disappear in the smooth course of life in a deep province.
No need to start and accelerate abruptly, jump from one strip to another, rush and overtake. It is enough to move quietly in the right extreme row, saving fuel and your own nerve cells.
Renault Duster (diesel) on the highway
In high gears on the highway, the SUV calmly overcomes potholes at a cruising speed of up to 110 km / h, without leaving the trajectory and not roaming. Acceleration to maximum will take a long time, and it’s not worth it. At high speeds, the engine is accompanied by loud noise, merging with the noise from tires and headwinds. In addition, before each turn, the pace will still have to be slowed down due to a strong roll and insufficient sensitivity of the steering.
The advantage of driving at the same speed is tangible fuel economy. Fuel consumption, according to reviews, does not rise above 5.4 liters per 100 km.
Renault Duster (diesel) in winter
Experts say that the Renault Duster with a diesel engine, even in the first version, is fully adapted to the conditions of harsh Russian winters. The manufacturer announced the minimum temperature at which the engine still starts - this is minus 25 ° C for Russia. For Europe, it is five degrees higher.
The adapted Duster engine (diesel) smokes somewhat until it warms up, because enriched mixture is supplied from the start so that the engine is guaranteed to start at low temperatures. It does not fade completely, hence the smoke, which disappears after a few minutes of engine operation. This phenomenon is the result of tuning on-board electronics. Someone does not pay attention to the exhaust, someone changes the settings.
Electronics does not allow turning on the heater until the glow plugs work , which consume up to 80 A current in the engine start mode. Electric heating elements for heating the cabin are connected only after the engine enters the operating mode.
In motion, the interior warms up very quickly. At maximum air temperature and fan speed, it just gets hot. Even taking into account that such an assessment is subjective, this is a positive moment in the operation of an SUV in conditions where it is cold for more than six months.
As for trips in winter, the car keeps on the snow quite confidently, does not skid, at least until it falls into the snow on the very hubs.
On the front-wheel drive, it is capable of climbing a snow parapet piled during street cleaning.
On the virgin soil with all-wheel drive connected, it breaks through the snow, clings to solid soil and is able to create a snow wave in front of itself.
So, and this is confirmed in the majority on Renault Duster (diesel) reviews of the owners, all the disadvantages of winter trips relate only to starting warming up the cabin.
Although opinions on this matter differ very significantly, because the concepts of “hot” and “cold” are quite individual, and the climatic conditions of the vast country have significant differences.
Renault Duster (diesel) 109
The feedback from the drivers did their job, and in 2015, a more powerful diesel engine appeared in the Duster line of power units.
Applying some innovations, the specialists of the automobile company preserved the engine size and its geometry, but increased power to 109 liters. from. At the same time, the average fuel consumption for trips around the city even decreased slightly.
To clean emissions from harmful substances, the new engine meets the EURO 5 standard. And the maximum torque at the same 1750 rpm is already 240 N.
The new Renault Duster (diesel) should feel better in the winter. And it differs from its European counterparts with glow plugs with other characteristics and a modified injection system, a new radiator and additional heating elements that allow warming up the interior earlier than the engine.
Features of the new diesel engine
Since 2015, not only all-wheel drive models are equipped with a diesel engine, but also Expression in a 4x2 modification. So far, only with the previous six-speed gearbox.
True, experienced drivers believe that on a diesel SUV, an automatic gearbox will only interfere with frequent off-road trips.
Cars to 100 km accelerate in 12.5 seconds, their maximum speed is 166 km / h.
They have become even more economical in fuel consumption, the noise level has decreased. Drivers write that you can even talk in the cabin without shouting a running engine, but only up to a speed of 130 km / h.
The diesel Renault became easier to manage on city streets, more stable to work at low speeds.
It still goes well on a snowy road and in LOCK mode it easily overcomes small snowdrifts.
It is hardly a drawback that the new engine demands the fuel composition. One nozzle "Duster" (diesel) costs $ 250, and low-quality diesel fuel immediately leads to the failure of these elements.
It is too early to discuss the actual engine life, but experts say that at least 300 thousand km, of course, with timely maintenance and use of high-quality consumables and fuel.
Prices for Renault Duster range from 845 thousand rubles for the Expression version to 950 thousand rubles. for Luxe Privilege with a large number of safety features, fog lights, heated windshield and tinted rear windows, with cruise control, leather in the cabin and many other useful and pleasant little things. The gap in the cost of diesel and gasoline cars remains, but since the new diesel engine has become even more economical, it can pay off even faster.
Owner reviews
The new "Duster" (diesel), according to reviews, really became more mobile in the city mode, it accelerates more easily and goes to overtake on the highway.
As for fuel consumption, in the city he “eats” a little more than 7 liters of fuel per 100 km, on the highway without cargo and at a low speed of up to 110 km / h - 6.5 l, with passengers and luggage at a speed of 150 km / h - 8 l.
Experienced drivers believe that the new "Duster" to accelerate to speeds above 130 km / h is not worth it. Another 10 km / h more, and the car loses stability. Further from the driver, the maximum concentration at the wheel is already required.
The owners drew attention to the fact that on the highway, having accelerated to cruising speed, you can switch to sixth gear, at 2000 rpm the engine does not roar, the gearbox works almost like an automatic.
Particularly picky determined that the most economical mode on the highway is the fifth gear, 2500 rpm, speed 80 km / h. But who will drive a car with good off-road qualities at such a speed?
In general, on the updated Renault Duster SUV (diesel), the reviews of the owners relate all the disadvantages to the interior of the car. But he does not affect the operation of the power unit.
Today, the new Renault Duster - 2015. - became one of the most popular crossovers in Russia. It is reliable, retained all the advantages of the previous version, the drawbacks became less, because the work on the mistakes was done noticeable. The combination of serious off-road qualities and a budget price eliminates the modest interior design and a small set of basic functions.
So, regarding the Renault Duster (diesel) car, the owner’s reviews cannot yet accurately describe all the pros and cons due to the short life of the car, nevertheless it is more in demand than the previous version with a less powerful engine.