The carmaker says that it is planning to double its vehicle sales in the Americas Region between 2009 and 2013, starting with Brazil and Argentina.

The Duster will be a key model for the brand, and has been specially redesigned for the region helped by Renault Design America in Sao Paulo. Changes include bolder styling than in Europe and a more upmarket interior. The model has also engineered by Brazilian and Argentine teams, including changes to the suspension and engine. The Duster will also feature a bespoke price/equipment ratio.

The vehicle will be produced locally, at the Curitiba plant in Brazil, and will be launched in Q4 2011 in Argentina and Brazil.

Steve Norman, senior vice president, global marketing, Renault, said: 'Renault Duster is really adapted to Latin American markets. It surprises with its dimensions, larger than those of the competition, and its excellent abilities. This special version, with exclusively designed interiors, new colour schemes and a new grille, will make 4x4s affordable for more and more customers in Brazil and Argentina.

'For Renault, in America, we can really say that there will be a before and an after Duster. The Renault brand's journey on the American continent promises to be exciting and full of new challenges. The next challenge for Renault in Argentina will be to surpass 100,000 vehicle sales a year for the first time in its history. Something tells me that before the year is over we will have met this challenge.'

Alongside the Duster, the company will be presenting phase 2 of Sandero (the brand's local best-seller) and Sandero Stepway, both specially designed and marketed for these countries, together with Fluence, the symbol of the renewal in the C segment.