Renault Duster Creator Laurens van den Acker talks about the SUVs design

The Renault Duster didn’t just arrive in India, it disrupted the SUV market forever. But very few people know the thinking, philosophy, and bold design calls that went into creating it. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Laurens van den Acker, Renault Group’s Chief Design Officer and the creative force behind the Duster’s global design language. From the very first sketches to adapting the SUV for Indian roads and buyers, he explains how and why the Duster became what it is. This conversation dives into the original vision behind the Duster, the challenges of designing an SUV for India’s unique conditions, the compromises that were made and the ones that were not, and how design decisions shape a brand’s long-term legacy. He also shares why the Duster still matters today and what it represents for Renault going forward. If you’re into cars, automotive design, or the real stories behind iconic vehicles, this interview offers insights you won’t find in spec sheets or press releases.