The Duster Strong Hybrid receives power from a well thought out hybrid setup. The core of the system is a 1.8 litre, 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that produces 109 BHP at 5300-5800 RPM whilst producing 175Nm of torque at 3000 RPM. The Atkinson cycle engine has been designed for the best thermal efficiency and works alongside two electric motors. The first of these is a high-voltage motor which acts as a starter-generator providing a smooth start to the engine, plus helping charge the battery.
The main drive motor produces 49 BHP at 5000-7000 RPM. Power to the electric motor comes from a 1.4kWh, 247 volt NMC lithium-ion battery. This is cooled using refrigerant for optimal performance. Together, the petrol engine and electric motors produce a total power of 158 BHP and 208Nm of torque. This puts the Duster Strong Hybrid firmly ahead of its competitors like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. This means the Duster will have better performance than its rivals.
Power is sent to the front wheels via a Formula 1 inspired multi-mode automatic transmission. This is one of the standout features of the E-Tech system. The Duster uses two electric gears and four petrol gears in the gearbox. This means there are up to 15 different drive modes available. The gearbox does not use a traditional clutch and uses a dog clutch instead. This provides fast and smooth shifting between the electric and petrol systems. The transmission can provide a pure electric start, plus provides a smooth blend between the petrol and electric. It can also regenerate energy during braking and deceleration whilst keeping the petrol engine in its most efficient mode.
Due to the smart hybrid system, the Duster Strong Hybrid can run in pure electric mode for much of its time in the. Renault claim you can do up to 80% of your journeys in the city without using the petrol engine. The system automatically chooses the best mode to use depending on your speed, load and battery level. This means you will get snappy acceleration and great fuel economy. The Duster has an official ARAI fuel economy of 29kmpl. Thanks to the hybrid system and fairly large fuel tank, the Duster can provide a total range of over 1400km.
Renault have made a strong hybrid by combining a fairly large naturally-aspirated engine with two electric motors and a clever multi-mode gearbox. As the car does not need to be plugged in to charge, this makes it very practical. The Duster Strong Hybrid is therefore a great option if you want a refined and efficient hybrid without sacrificing performance.