SCOOP! Nissan’s Duster-based SUV is Terrano

Nissan is all set to introduce its cross-badged version of the Renault Duster and it will be called the Terrano. Just like it had done with the Sunny name, Nissan has resurrected the Terrano moniker, which it had given to an earlier-generation mid-size SUV launched way back in 1993 and discontinued in 2006. The big surprise here though, is that the Terrano will be priced approximately Rs 50,000-75,000 more than the Duster, which is contrary to the current trend where Nissan’s are priced lower than their equivalent Renault models.

This has to do with an agreement in the Renault-Nissan Alliance. When Renault badge engineers a Nissan car, the Renault version has to be priced higher than its Nissan donor and vice versa. Take the example of the Sunny; it’s cheaper than its badge-engineered compatriot, the Scala. So, in the case, since Nissan will be the one borrowing the Duster, the Terrano will be priced higher.

Unlike the badge-engineered Scala and Pulse, which are the Sunny and the Micra with a few plastic add-ons, the Terrano will come with more significant exterior changes. The Nissan SUV will see changes to the sheet metal as well to bring the car in line with other Nissan SUVs. Going by our artist’s impressions, it could look somewhere along the lines of the X-trail. The car will come with a new bumper, tailgate, headlamps and tail-lights. The interiors however will be identical to save costs; the only difference will be the Nissan logo sitting on the steering wheel.

The badge-engineered Terrano will be launched by the end of this year.