A camouflaged SUV just got stuck in the snow: Which upcoming performance SUV could it be?

You know how it is with new car launches in a country. The company either manufactures or imports a few units to test under prevailing climate conditions — especially in subcontinents like India — before proceeding with a full-scale launch. These test mules, camouflaged in monochrome wraps, are often spotted on city roads, highways, and even high-altitude roads or mountains (if it’s an SUV).  

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The goal of the initial testing is to fine-tune performance and durability, address any manufacturing issues, and make pre-release modifications to ensure the car performs well in real-world conditions. One such vehicle has been spotted in a snow-laden landscape near Rohtang Pass near Manali. However, in a surprising turn of events, the car had to be rescued by the Himachal Pradesh Police.

During high-altitude winter testing (which could be a possible selling point for the concerned manufacturer), a heavily camouflaged test module lost traction in snow-laden terrain, following which, the state police rescued it using a Maruti Gypsy. The entire video was uploaded on the Meta-owned social media platform Instagram by “manali_packages” (video embedded below).

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This test module could be an upcoming SUV that supports all-wheel drive

Although the vehicle is completely covered in a monochrome wrap, we believe it could be either a Renault Duster or a Nissan Tekton, or a new SUV with a similar design.

• First, the roofline (including the covered roof rails) and the rear spoiler resemble those we’ve seen on the globally available Renault Dacia Duster. However, we’ve also seen a somewhat similar spoiler in Nissan’s Tekton teasers.
• The curves and creases of the rear bumper, along with the horizontal lines at the bottom (likely from the bottom cladding), also resemble the rear profile of the global model, as seen in Tekton teasers.

• Look closely at the alloy’s design, and then have a look at Dacia’s alloys. They look similar. Since we haven’t seen Tekton’s alloys, it’s hard to comment.
• The fact that the test mule was rescued from snowy terrain suggests that the concerned manufacturer is testing the four-wheel-drive configuration that the upcoming Renault Duster and Nissan Tekton are rumored to offer in India.

Carmakers often send a test module or two to this region to test their all-wheel-drive systems, including cold-start performance at low temperatures, traction control on slippery roads, and the braking system’s effectiveness. Other parameters, such as the engine’s performance in low-oxygen environments, the suspension’s behaviour, and other critical car functions, are also tested.

Similarities between the upcoming Renault Duster and Nissan Tekton

• Both SUVs are based on the same modular CMF-B (Common Module Family) platform.
• They are expected to share the same powertrain options for the Indian market.
• Both vehicles will be produced at the same manufacturing plant in Chennai, India.
• They should also offer a 4×4 driving system in India to outperform the competition.

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Last month, Renault India confirmed the launch of its capable mid-sized SUV, the Duster. The launch will take place on January 26, 2026. With its rugged look, a capable 1.3-liter turbo petrol engine (156 bhp peak power) mated to a six-speed manual or a CVT gearbox, and the possibility of a 4×4 drivetrain, the Duster could help Renault regain market share. Meanwhile, Nissan has also only confirmed the Tekton, but there’s no release date yet.

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