CARmag.co.za has learnt that Renault South Africa has effectively pencilled in a launch date for the long-awaited Duster Oroch, with the local arm of the French brand targeting a 2020 introduction for its four-door unibody bakkie.
Renault SA earlier told us that while it “remains committed” to introducing the Duster-based Oroch pick-up, exact timing depends on right-hand-drive production volume (the model is currently produced in South America in left-hand drive only).
While the 2020 local launch date is not set in stone, it seems likely considering recent news out of Australia that discussions on right-hand-drive production of the bakkie are looking “very positive”. Indeed, Renault in Australia has indicated that it is looking at importing the Duster Oroch towards the end of 2019.
If the Duster Oroch were to launch in South Africa, it would slot into a half-tonne segment (despite employing a double-cab body style) that currently contains only the Nissan NP200, since the Chevrolet Utility left local shores when General Motors pulled out of the country at the end of 2017. The Volkswagen Saveiro, meanwhile, is seemingly still not on the cards for South Africa.
The Duster Oroch offered in Brazil can be specified with either a 1,6-litre or a 2,0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine (the first with a five-speed and the second with a six-speed manual gearbox). The claimed payload is 650 kg, with a cargo bed volume of 683 litres.
The front-wheel-drive Oroch measures 4 693 mm long, 1 821 mm wide and 1 695 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2 829 mm. It employs an independent multi-link rear suspension set-up.
