Ahead of the Renault Duster launch in India, its 7-seat equivalent, the Bigster, was spied testing once again. While the rear end of a heavily camouflaged test mule was spotted previously, new spy shots reveal fresh design details at the front.
- The Bigster could likely get the same engines from the Duster
- It is expected to debut in Q4 2026
Renault Bigster spied: What was spotted this time?
Similar front end to the prototype spied abroad
Though camouflaged, spy images reveal a front end comprising LED headlamps and DRLs, a wide air dam lower down, and vertical air vents on the sides of the bumper. The muscular bonnet looks similar to the Duster’s, and there’s also a silver finish on the lower side of the bumper. Furthermore, the grille gets a blanked-off look, suggesting that it could carry the model's name, as seen on the Duster. An additional detail is sensors on the upper side of the front windscreen, which could be for Level 2 ADAS-related features.
Unlike the Duster, which featured India-spec design changes, the Bigster test mule does not appear to have many changes compared with the one spied abroad. However, it's still in the early stages of testing, and it remains to be seen if any updates are brought along at a later stage.
Renault Bigster: What else do we know so far?
It could get the Duster’s strong-hybrid engine
The Bigster is expected to carry over the Duster’s engines. This includes a strong-hybrid petrol engine with a combined power output of 160hp and 172Nm. There's also a 163hp, 280Nm, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine, and a 100hp, 160Nm, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. A 6-speed manual is standard on the 1.3-litre and 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engines, but a 6-speed DCT is also available on the former.
On the inside, the dashboard can be expected to be similar to the Duster, with an infotainment display angled toward the driver. The equipment list is expected to include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate and 6-way powered and ventilated front seats. Level 2 ADAS and a 360-degree camera could be part of the safety kit.
The Bigster shares the CMF-B platform with the Duster, but it will be longer at 4.6 metres (300mm longer than the Duster) to accommodate an extra row of seats. It is expected to be priced higher than the Duster, and will compete against rivals like the Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and Tata Safari. Its arrival could likely happen in late 2026 or early 2027.
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