Renault's Logan Becomes Russia's Best-Selling Model

Renault's budget-minded Logan managed to overtake Ford Focus and snatch the leading position in the top-selling foreign car chart in Russia. According to data provided by Autonews, the Logan is now the Russian leader with 5,131 units sold in November, followed by Focus with 3,348 units.

This means Renault's low-cost sedan entered the top 3 best selling models in Russia, the source added. As for October, Renault sold 5,076 units of the Logan over 3,677 units for the Focus.

Renault produces Logans for the Russian market at its plant in Moscow and the French manufacturer intends to expand production at the facility to 160,000 units next year. As a result, the production lines will also accommodate the Sandero, Dacia's low-cost hatchback, and will also prepare for assembling the Duster, the recently-presented SUV, due to be sold locally in 2010 and 2011.

As for the Duster, the SUV is projected to be sold across Europe in 2010, with production to be handled by Dacia's main production plant in Pitesti, Romania.

The car will be offered with either 4x2 or 4x4. Both versions will come with a choice of three engines, one petrol and two diesel. The petrol version is a 1.6l 16V unit, developing 110 hp, while the diesel ones come with the promise of 85 or 105 hp. The Duster will use a Nissan-sourced intuitive control, located in the cabin at the foot of the central column. From there, the driver can control the mode in which the Duster will tackle the terrain ahead of it. There are three modes available for the 4x4 version.