4x4 versions of Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano may come this year

Ever since its arrival in the Indian market in July 2012, the Renault Duster has earned itself many accolades for its rugged design, comfortable interiors and good performance. There is little denying the fact that the vehicle has changed Renault India’s fortunes forever. It’s a similar story with the Nissan Terrano, a car loosely based on the Duster.

The Duster has been in the market long enough to be given a comprehensive dose of upgrades: something which Renault India is planning to do with the facelifted model. However, before the latter comes along, Renault India could introduce the 4x4 version which will further enhance the vehicle’s versatility factor. According to a report by ZigWheels, the 4x4 version of the Duster will be introduced this year to fend off growing pressure from the competition.

The report also talks about the 4x4 version for the Nissan Terrano which is a relatively new product. The Terrano 4x4, however, will reportedly be introduced only after the launch of the equivalent Duster which could happen around August-September this year. Expect Nissan to launch the Terrano 4x4 by the end of this year.

When launched, both the 4x4 versions are said to be offered in the top-spec diesel variant, which means only the Duster RxZ and the Terrano XV could benefit from improved off-road capabilities thanks to the all-wheel-drive hardware.

The 4x4 version’s natural rival will be the Mahindra XUV 500 AWD which uses a rather modern 4WD system featuring on-demand torque management system. Controlling various systems like steering angle sensor, anti-lock braking system and the engine management unit, the AWD unit automatically redistributes torque between front and rear axles.

For the Duster 4x4, Renault India could make use of the same Nissan-developed all-wheel drive system found in the Dacia Duster. Although not as advanced as the one found in the XUV 500, the system has proved to be quite effective, allowing the driver to choose from three different modes: 2WD for maximum efficiency, Auto to engage rear-wheel drive in case of grip loss at the front and Lock which consistently sends 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle.

The addition of the 4X4 version into the existing variant lineup is sure to extend the Duster’s reach within the target market although it remains to be seen whether hardcore off-road enthusiasts will be willing to pay a premium of around Rs 60,000 for the all-wheeled hardware over the standard Duster.