Duster Hybrid: Renault’s First Hybrid on October 17

Duster Hybrid India Launch Date

Renault will launch the Duster Hybrid in India on October 17, bringing its first hybrid to the country. It will sit alongside the existing turbo-petrol Duster and takes on strong-hybrid rivals such as the Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Victoris.

The powertrain is branded Hybrid E-Tech 160. It combines a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors, a 49hp traction motor and a 20hp starter-generator. Combined output is roughly 160 to 162bhp with 172Nm of torque. A 1.4kWh lithium-ion battery is recharged through regenerative braking.

Unlike the e-CVT used by its rivals, the Duster Hybrid has a multi-mode automatic transmission with fixed gear ratios. It can run in electric-only, petrol-only or combined mode. Renault says it can handle up to 80 percent of city driving in electric mode, though real-world results will vary with traffic and driving style.

Pricing has not been announced, but it is expected between Rs 19 lakh and Rs 23 lakh ex-showroom and above the existing petrol variants. Renault says its entire 2026 allocation is sold out and bookings are paused, and it may open another window for later batches.

The hybrid is part of a wider plan. Renault intends to bring a three-row Bigster-based SUV in early 2027 and a sub-4-metre Bridger in 2027.