The wraps have officially come off the new Nissan Terrano in Mumbai. The SUV is essentially a rebadged Renault/Dacia Duster with more upmarket appointments, for the Indian market.
The most obvious change is the Nissan front end, which incorporates a new grille, reworked headlamps, new fog lamp surrounds and bonnet creases that run to the grille. There’re also new 16-inch alloys, darkened pillars, larger tail lamps and a restyled number plate holder.
Inside, you’ll find more luxurious trim materials and brighter colours throughout, a steering wheel with silver inserts and cubbyholes on the dashboard. Buttons and knobs on the centre stack are mostly new and have been re-positioned. The central air vents are no longer circular, and there’s a new audio system as well.
Reports say some of these changes may make their way on to the facelifted Duster, which is set to make its first appearance at the upcoming Frankfurt show.
Set to be built in the Renault-Nissan plant in Chennai (the fourth Nissan to be built in India after the Micra, Sunny and Evalia – that’s the NV200), the Nissan Terrano’s powerplant menu will include a 104 PS/145 Nm 1.6 litre petrol and a 1.5 litre diesel in 85 PS/200 Nm and 110 PS/248 Nm states of tune.
The more powerful diesel engine is coupled to a six-speed manual; the rest make do with a five-speed manual. The Duster’s optional 4WD system may be offered, too.
Reuters reports that the Ford EcoSport-rivalling SUV will start at a price below Rs 10 lakh (RM51,400). The Duster (sold in India as a Renault) sells for around Rs 8 lakh, ex-showroom (RM36,000). Order books will open next month, with sales scheduled to begin in October.
We reported back in November that Malaysia is one of the Duster’s potential markets – if it does come here, it’s expected to sport a Renault badge on its nose.
