Renault Pars, Renault's local subsidiary in Tehran, has announced plans to release an automatic version of its Duster model.
So far, the Duster high-chassis vehicle has been available in the Iranian market either in manual transmission form or automatic with a single differential.
The announcement of the upgrade was made in a recent press release from Renault Nissan, which stated that Iran's market enjoys the ease of automatic transmissions.
The Financial Tribune spoke with Negin Khodro's marketing director who said the vehicle will be imported from Renault's subsidiary company, Dacia, in Romania.
According to Ali Shokouhi, the price for the 4x4 vehicle has been set at 1.075 billion rials ($32,600 at market exchange rate). He did not, however, say how many of the vehicles will be imported.
He added that the cars will be delivered in 120 days. Negin Khodro has started to take orders online, which means that the CBU must be in the market by the end of November 2015.
According to NDTV, the car is powered by an engine that is "phenomenally responsive". It gets what Renault calls 'Anthracite' alloy wheels, darkened head-lamp clusters and matte black B-pillars on the RxZ trim.
The cabin includes a three-pod instrument cluster that features an instantaneous fuel consumption meter. There is also a three-spoke steering wheel, dual-tone grey and red seats with a beehive design and soft-touch plastics on the upper portion of the new dual-tone, black and grey dashboard.
Space is not a problem either since there is enough leg-and-knee-room in both the front and the rear. Furthermore, the trunk capacity is 410 liters.
There's the new electronically controlled 4x4 system, which Renault calls i-Drive Technology. The Duster AWD also receives independent suspension at all four corners.
Renault has shortened the gear ratios on the 4x4; especially the first gear, which gives it a significant advantage. There is also the ESP and anti-skid resistance that helps you get out of slippery conditions.
Shokouhi noted that the company will also be selling Renault's emerging market bestseller sedan, the Fluence.
