The Duster is a sales success for Renault South Africa – the firm sells an average of approximately 300 units a month since its introduction here last year. Produced by the French firm’s Romanian arm, Dacia, the Duster provides the ideal platform for a pick-up derivative – and that model has now been spotted undisguised.
The Duster bakkie is obviously very close to being launched – probably at the Paris Motor Show next month – the pick-up pictured looks as though it is undergoing final evaluation, and carrying a heavy load, hence the drooping rear suspension.
The current Duster line-up of naturally aspirated petrol and turbodiesel powerplants is well-suited to a small, perhaps 3/4 tonne, pick-up application. With the demise of small pick-ups from all the major brands including the Ford Bantam, Nissan 1400 and Volkswagen Caddy the local market is ripe for another contender to join the Chevrolet Utility and Nissan NP200.
Renault SA spokespersons commented that the Duster pick-up was not part of the 2015 launch plan, however.
