IF THERE’S one thing to learn from the Renault Duster1.5dCi Intens- it does not chow diesel- finish & klaar!
This was experienced as we took it for long haul starting in Bela Bela for a villa opening at Waterberg and finally setting off to eSwatini for the annual MTN Bushfire. That’s when we ‘dusted off the SA dust…’
I kept my eyes on the gauge because since it was handed-over for a test- the gauge bar had not moved an inch that’s until we made our way to the border on a glorious Saturday morning.
We began filling it up only in Swaziland on Sunday afternoon.
How so, you may ask- it is powered by a 1.5l four-cylinder turbo-diesel, and in this Intens guise it kicks out 80kW and 250Nm and powers the front wheels only via a six-speed automatic transmission and averaged 5.6l/100km thanks to its speed limit and cruise control. The 4WD model gets an extra 10Nm. Aha.
Being a crossover SUV it boast latest tech features that made our journey way too perfect, such as colourful 8-inch multimedia display that also plugs into mobile device features through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Playing house music was a like a preacher doing his thing to my ears!
Other features include electric windows, LED daytime driving running lights, multifunction steering-wheel controls, electric mirrors, keyless entry, Bluetooth, USB port, cloth upholstery, lumbar support, climate control, cruise control, drive modes, park distance control, rear blind-spot assist, ABS, stability control, brake assist, and four airbags
It might be ‘plastic’ but the interior is touched up with a modern-looking dashboard and new fabrics adorn the seats. The rear seats are split-foldable to create more loading space and there are numerous storage nooks around the dash. Since it was only two of us travelling the legroom was enough.
The boot played its part having carried from tents to chairs and traveling bags with aplomb- so worry not about luggage when traveling in 1.5dCi Intens.
The exterior boast new design 17-inch wheels, silver roof rails and prominent front and rear skid plates alongside updated front and rear LED lights and daytime running lights and refines the tough-cookie style, which speaks volumes about its go-anywhere capabilities, like we experienced on this long haul.
Off-road recommendation but one can take it for a city show-off ride since it’s a family car or whatever preference.
The 10Nm torque shows its capability on slippery roads (there were no potholes in eSwatini on the roads we travelled), since the body is well-controlled at higher speeds and it never felt hampered by its front-drive configuration due to its higher-than-average ground clearance.
The Duster comes fitted with lock or unlock using its card key to enter. You simply approach and “click” all doors are unlocked; a walk away and another ‘click’ signals full automatic lock-up.
With fuel prices unstable and longing for a drive be it in SA or crossing a border- the Duster Intens is your ideal partner…
Warranty: Five years/150,000km. Service plan: Three years/Unlimited mileage.
Retail price: R 389. 900
Verdict:
Performance 1-10 (6)
Fuel 1-10 (8)
Top image SLM (Duster Intens at the Ngwenya Border in eSwatini).
