Renault India announced that its upcoming Duster SUV has completed over 1 million kilometres of testing across three continents in preparation for its launch on January 26, 2026. The testing program subjected the vehicle to extreme conditions ranging from -23°C to 55°C across diverse terrains and climates.
The testing phase included a high-altitude mission in Leh-Ladakh, where the Duster reached Khardung La at 18,379 feet (5,602 meters), one of the world’s highest motorable passes. The vehicle underwent trials in sub-zero conditions, high ambient temperatures, dust tunnels, and water-wading zones.
The 1 million kilometre distance was covered across research and development tracks, proving grounds, and public road circuits worldwide. In India, the vehicle was tested on city roads and specialized government tracks including NATRAX, ARAI, GARC, and ICAT to validate its performance across different terrains, speed breaker profiles, and urban traffic conditions.
Global tuning trips were conducted in Brazil, Romania, France, China, and the Czech Republic to ensure driving dynamics meet international standards.
“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,” said Stephane Deblaise, CEO of Renault Group India.
The vehicle is designed to balance ruggedness with modern handling capabilities, maintaining rough-road performance while delivering assured driving at high speeds and around corners.
Renault India operates a manufacturing facility in Oragadam, Chennai, with an annual capacity of 480,000 units. The company has over 350 sales touchpoints and 450 service locations, including 250 Workshop on Wheels locations across India.