India-bound Renault Duster Scores 3 Stars In Euro NCAP Crash Test (Video)
Compact SUV lovers in India are eagerly waiting for the launch of the new Renault Duster in the country. This model is slated to arrive in India by 2025. Recently, this SUV, which is also known as the Dacia Duster in Europe, was tested by Euro NCAP safety assessment. The new 2024 Dacia Duster has managed to score 3 stars in the latest crash tests.
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), like the Global NCAP, tests the safety of vehicles available in Europe. The Renault Duster was evaluated under this program, and it managed to score a total of 3 stars. The specific model tested featured a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid powertrain with front-wheel drive.
It has been stated by Euro NCAP that this rating also extends to other versions of the Duster. These include the ones that come with 1.0-litre petrol LPG and 1.3-litre petrol engines. However, it added that it excludes the 1.3-litre petrol four-wheel drive variant.
Comprehensive Safety Performance
Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
As per the Euro NCAP, the new Duster in the Adult Occupant Protection category scored 28.1 points out of 40. It managed to achieve 11.4 points in the Frontal Impact test and 12 points in the Lateral Impact test, both out of 16. Additionally, it also secured 3.6 points out of 4 in the Rear Impact test.
It also scored 1.2 points out of 4 in the Rescue and Extrication test. The organization added that the frontal offset test revealed that the passenger compartment remained stable, offering good protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger, although the driver’s chest protection was rated weak.
Child Occupant Protection (COP)
Coming to the other important crash testing metric, and that is the Child Occupant Protection category. The Duster managed to score 41.6 points out of 49. Euro NCAP conducted tests using dummies representing 6 and 10-year-old children.
It has been stated that the Duster achieved 23.6 points out of 24 for crash test performance and 6 points out of 13 for safety features. Along with it, it managed to score a full 12 points out of 12 in the CRS installation check.
Euro NCAP highlighted that the protection was generally adequate, although the neck protection for the 10-year-old dummy in the frontal test was less than ideal. The Duster is offered with a front passenger seat that can be disabled to accommodate a rearward-facing child restraint.
Vulnerable Road Users (VRU)
Coming to the Vulnerable Road Users category, the Renault Duster scored 38.2 points out of 63. The VRU Impact Protection test, which evaluates the protection of pedestrian and cyclist head, pelvis, femur, and tibia, yielded 21.9 points out of 36. The VRU Impact Mitigation test.
The Duster in the international markets comes offered with ADAS. It gets Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) for pedestrians and cyclists, resulting in 16.2 points out of 27. The Duster provided good or adequate head protection for struck pedestrians or cyclists, except at the stiff windscreen pillars and the base of the screen.
Safety Assist
Lastly, in the Safety Assist category, the Renault Duster scored 10.3 points out of 18. This included 1.3 points out of 3 for Speed Assistance. It also received 0.3 points out of 3 for Occupant Status Monitoring, 1.8 points out of 3 for Lane Support, and 6.6 points out of 9 for AEB Car-to-Car. The AEB system’s performance was adequate, reacting appropriately to other vehicles.
India-Bound Duster
As mentioned, Indian car buyers are waiting with a lot of excitement for the launch of the new Duster in India. It is believed that once it arrives in India, it could be crash-tested by Bharat NCAP as well. It is important to note that Bharat NCAP might have different testing procedures, which could result in varied ratings for the India-bound Duster.