Renault Boreal (7-Seater Duster) Spied Testing In India [video]
Renault recently revealed the production form of the highly anticipated Boreal SUV. Essentially the seven-seater version of the Duster, it will launch in India sometime next year. The French carmaker has been actively testing both the five and seven-seater Dusters in the country. A recent video shared on Instagram shows a mule undergoing testing in the Himalayas.
This video was captured from somewhere in the Himalayas. It shows the prototype parked by the road and a guy checking it out. The host acknowledges that it is the first time that he is seeing a 'testing car', and says that the vehicle here has most of its body covered. He then moves closer and takes a closer look at the SUV. He finds the 'DC' badge inside and wonders what vehicle it is. He is then told that it is a Duster...
In short, this video says that the camouflaged vehicle is a Duster (the five-seater). The truth could, however, be different. DC denotes Dacia. It is the budget sub-brand of Renault. The India evaluations are being carried out using prototypes of the DC Duster sold globally. Renault hasn't revealed the final design of the India-spec Duster yet. This explains why the guy here saw a DC badge on the inside.
But is this really the Duster? Well, take a closer look at the vehicle in the video and its proportions. It looks too big for a five-seater C-segment SUV. The dimensions seem to resemble those of the Dacia Bigster sold abroad.
The Boreal is in fact, Renault's version of the Bigster, with identical proportions and characteristics. The design would, however, differ sharply between the two. This mule should, in all possibility, be a camouflaged Bigster. It seems to be carrying out tests for the upcoming Boreal.
More About The Renault Boreal
Think of the Boreal as a more aesthetic, premium-looking version of the Bigster. While the core mechanicals and proportions will remain the same, each will have distinctive designs. Dacia is in actually a budget sub-brand. The Bigster's design thus feels a lot cheaper and practical. The Boreal that has now been revealed, looks great. With clean lines, smooth panels and a lot of visual flair, it will capture eyeballs for sure.
Key exterior highlights include sleek LED headlamps, front bumper with a large air intake and integrated fog lamps, a full-width gloss Black trim at the front, unique grille design and a front skid plate.
The profile gets clean lines, squarish wheel arches, rugged body cladding and Bigster-like alloy wheels which are likely 19-inch units. The rear door handles sit on the C-pillar and there is a uniquely styled quarter glass as well. The rear looks good with sleek LED tail lamps and a handsome tailgate. The bumper gets several character lines and an integrated skid plate.
The Boreal will come with a cabin that looks and feels upmarket. The design and layout will be modern and the feature list will be quite expansive. Expect the likes of a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel, dual digital screens, Harman Kardon audio system, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, electric parking brake (EPB), Level 2 ADAS, five drive modes and ventilated front seats.
In India, Renault is expected to adopt a multi-powertrain approach. They will likely offer a 1.3L, 4-cylinder turbo petrol and a strong hybrid powertrain on the Boreal. The latter is likely to have a 1.3L, 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine mated to a 1.4kWh and dual electric motors, producing a combined output of around 155 bhp. We will get to know more powertrain details closer to launch.