Renault Duster 7-Seater: Extended SUV Spotted Testing in Chennai; Likely Launch in Early 2027

In the image, the 7-seater variant of the Renault Duster can be seen testing on the roads of Chennai. The car is completely covered with camouflage (fabric), but its long roof and large body make it different from the standard 5-seater Duster. It has a temporary registration plate of Tamil Nadu, which indicates that its local testing is in full swing.

The flat and long roof of the Duster is clearly visible in this photo. This is quite different from the standard Duster as it gets extra headroom to accommodate the third-row seats. The designers have designed it in such a way that those sitting inside get enough space. The chunky wheel arch cladding and roof rails have been retained by the company, maintaining the strong SUV styling seen on Renault's global products.

The most important thing in this photo taken from the rear side is the size of the rear window. It is much larger than the 5-seater model. This change has been made so that those sitting in the third-row can get a view outside and they do not have claustrophobia (feeling of closed space). Apart from this, the rear spoiler looks stretched from front to back, which gives it a sporty look.

The overall proportions of the Duster in this picture are very similar to the International Renault Boreal or the Dacia Bigster. The design of the car's door handles and body panels also appear in the same line. The design language that the company has adopted at the global level, this 7-seater Duster coming to India also seems to follow the same. That is, you will get the feel of a premium and sturdy SUV, just like the ones you get in the international market.

The upcoming SUV will share its RGMP (Renault Group Modular Platform) architecture with the new Duster. The platform has been specially lengthened to provide ample space to the three row occupants. Once launched, it will become Renault's flagship and main model. Looking at this, it can be said that the company does not want to leave any stone unturned in this segment.

The interior of the 7-seater Duster is expected to get a large touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The dashboard will come with a fully digital instrument cluster, which will give you all the necessary information at a glance. There will also be wireless chargers and ventilated front seats, which will make long drives comfortable.

This picture is taken from the top angle of the car, in which the panoramic sunroof is clearly visible. With the arrival of this sunroof, a lot of light will come in the cabin and passengers will get a chance to see the open sky. The panoramic sunroof is a big USP (Unique Selling Proposition) in this segment and Renault has tried to give a premium look to its SUV.

In this picture, the focus is on safety features. The 7-seater Duster is expected to get Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), which will include features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Also, the 360-degree camera will make parking extremely easy, especially when you're parking the SUV in a tight spot.

Renault has already confirmed that India will get the Strong Hybrid technology. The company will be offering the 1.8 -litre e-tech strong hybrid powertrain in the Duster around Diwali. The same setup will also be available in the 7-seater Duster. In this system, the electric motor also works with the petrol engine, which improves mileage and reduces pollution. In addition, Renault and Nissan are jointly investing $370 million (about Rs 3,500 crore) on hybrid powertrains.

This photo shows the competition of this 7-seater SUV. Once launched, the Renault Duster 7-seater will directly rival the Mahindra XUV7XO (upcoming) Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and the Hyundai Alcazar. All these models have their own merits, but Renault will try to create a distinct identity on the back of its strong hybrid engine, premium features and strong SUV styling.