Renault is not a traditional pick-up producer, but it intends to change that from now on. Apart from the Alaskan concept, based on the architecture of the new Nissan Frontier, the French automaker has released the new Duster Oroch today in Brazil. It is basically a small car based pick-up that is not as big as the current mid-size trucks, but it is much more comfortable than the other small competitors, such as Fiat Strada, Volkswagen Saveiro and Chevrolet Montana, also known as Tornado in the Mexican market, for example.

Renault has chosen Brazil for the presentation for very simple reasons. First of all, because its design center in the country, the RDAL, has helped develop it. Secondly, due to the strong market for pick-ups Brazil presents. The products mentioned above are projects created by the Brazilian offices of Fiat, Volkswagen and GM, based respectively on Fiat Palio, Volkswagen Gol and Chevrolet Agile. All of them are too small, but affordable, what makes them best selling models even if they are not the best options.

Mid-size pick-ups are more expensive, but this is not what prevents them from reaching more customers. They are too big for Brazilians’ streets and car parking spots. This is what has estimulated the creation of an intermediate option.

The new Duster Oroch is 4.69 m long, what makes it slightly bigger than a Chevrolet Cruze or a Toyota Corolla. It is 1.82 m wide, 1.70 m tall and has a 2.83 m wheelbase, 15 cm more than the one you have in a Duster. Both cars, in Brazil, bear the Renault badge, since Dacia vehicles are not sold in the country. As you can see in the video, the presence of five adults in the car is pretty intentional. Renault wants to make sure people understand how much room the new vehicle offers.

The truck bed can carry up to 683 l of cargo. It is 118 cm wide, 135 cm long and about 43 cm tall (Renault has not disclosed how tall the bed is; we have calculated it). The load capacity, including passengers, can reach 650 kg. For longer objects, Renault will sell a truck bed extender which will allow the Oroch to carry things with up to 2 m diagonally.

Regarding off-road capacity, the Oroch does not have the option of four wheel drive (so far). It is a front wheel drive vehicle, just like the Duster. Its ground clearance is modest, with 206 mm, and approach angle (26º) and departure angle (20º) are also not extraordinary. Mainly because this truck tends to be driven mostly on tarmac, as its 215/65 R16 all terrain tires denounce.

Since Oroch is of unibody construction, it has received structural reinforcements from the C column until the end, with a special attention to the floor, rails and the cabin’s back wall. The work on Oroch’s structure has demanded extensive testing in Brazil, France and Argentina, as you can see below.

Oroch will be equiped with two engine options, both fuel flexible: a 1.6 four cylinder able to generate 85 kW at 5,750 rpm and a 2.0 four cylinder that pumps out 109 kW at 5,750 rpm on ethanol. When you use petrol, power decreases respectively to 81 kW and 105 kW. The 1.6 gets a five-speed manual transmission, while the 2.0 is equipped with a six-speed manual. The automatic option will be probably released in a few months, as well as the four wheel drive version.

The new pick-up has created a new market segment which is being called “mid-compact” in Brazil. Sales will begin in November, at R$ 62.290 (US$ 16,142) for the entry level version, the 1.6 Expression, R$ 66.790 (US$ 17,308) for the 1.6 Dynamique, R$ 70.790 (US$ 18,345) for the Dynamique 2.0 and R$ 72.490 (US$ 18,785) for the Dynamique 2.0 with leather seats. Well ahead of its first contender, the Fiat Toro, which the Italian carmaker is desperately trying to present as something completely new. Just like BMW, with the x5, it has invented a new car segment, the SUP (Sport Utility Pick-up). Fiat has even released a picture of its “mid-compact” pick-up truck while Renault was presenting the Oroch. In the USA, the Fiat Toro will probably be sold as the new RAM Rampage.