New Renault Duster tested for more than 1 Mn kilometres, across 3 continents
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Tested across 3 continents between –23°C to 55°C
Successfully completed high-altitude mission in Leh-Ladakh, reaching Khardung La at 18,379 feet
Specialised testing carried out in a wide range of extreme environments — dust tunnels, water-wading zones, sub-zero conditions, steep inclines, high ambient temperatures, and city roads
Renault India, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French carmaker Renault Group, today announced a major testing milestone for its highly anticipated and iconic SUV, Renault Duster. The upcoming new Duster completed a gruelling global testing, driving 1 million kilometres across three continents between –23°C to 55°C, ensuring it is comprehensively engineered for the diverse road conditions.
This achievement of extreme durability and performance confirms the new Duster’s position as a truly born-to-conquer vehicle. The new Renault Duster is ready to carry forward the legacy of the previous generation, while raising the benchmark for rugged capability and on-road safety.
The extensive testing phase included terrains and weather conditions that demonstrate the Duster’s stability, composure, and endurance, irrespective of the climatic conditions.
Long-term endurance test: A cumulative 1 million kilometres distance covered across R&D tracks, proving grounds, and public road circuits worldwide
Altitude Master: The new Duster proved its mettle in the thin air of the Himalayas, successfully completing high-altitude missions in Leh-Ladakh, culminating in a test run at Khardung La (5,602 meters / 18,379 feet), one of the world's highest motorable passes.
The Climate Trial: The vehicle was subjected to extreme environments, tested between –23°C to 55°C, including specialised testing in sub-zero climatic conditions and high temperature ambient conditions to validate thermal management. Additionally, dust tunnel and water wading tests were conducted to ensure all-weather sealing and component protection.
The Indian Road Challenge: Pan-India city drives coupled with rigorous testing on specialised government tracks like NATRAX, ARAI, GARC, and ICAT, tested the vehicle for its readiness in rough terrain, different speed breaker profiles, and the demands of bumper-to-bumper city traffic.
Global Tuning: To ensure world-class driving dynamics, tuning trips were conducted in diverse geographies like Brazil, Romania, France, China, and the Czech Republic
Commenting on the testing milestone, Stephane Deblaise – CEO, Renault Group India, shared, “Completing 1 million kilometres of testing across three continents is not just a validation target for us — it is a statement of intent. We have taken the new Duster to the most demanding terrains and climates on the planet, including the extremes of the Himalayas, to ensure that when this Icon returns to India, it does so fully prepared for real-world Indian conditions. We believe true capability cannot be rushed. This milestone reflects our confidence that the reborn Duster is engineered to deliver uncompromised performance, safety, and durability — no matter where or how it is driven.”
The new Duster is designed and engineered to be a game-changer upon its official unveiling. It achieves a refined balance of ruggedness and modern handling, delivering assured drive even at high speeds and around corners, while maintaining the exceptional rough-road capability that the Duster nameplate is known for.
The icon will be unveiled on Republic Day – 26th January 2026.
About Renault
Renault, a historic mobility brand and pioneer of electric vehicles in Europe, has always developed innovative vehicles. With the ‘Renaulution’ strategic plan, Renault has embarked on an ambitious, value-generating transformation moving towards a more competitive, balanced, and electrified range. Its ambition is to embody modernity and innovation in technology, energy, and mobility services in the automotive industry and beyond.
Renault India Pvt. Ltd. is a fully owned subsidiary of Renault S.A.S. France. Renault India cars are manufactured in the manufacturing facility located in Oragadam, Chennai, with a capacity of 480,000 units per annum. Renault India also has a widespread presence of close to 350+ sales and 450+ service touchpoints, which include 250+ Workshop on Wheels locations across the country, with benchmark sales and service quality.
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