Duster, The New Car From Dacia That Rewrites The 4x4 Rulebook
MAPLE CROSS, UNITED KINGDOM – December The Duster project was born out of the simple premise that a real need existed in the world for an affordable, comfortable and rugged 4x4, a class which is currently not well served. Aware of this gap, the Renault group decided to develop an all-terrain vehicle aimed initially at emerging markets. The needs of European customers were also taken into account from the project outset.
Dacia Duster, Everything A 4x4 Should Be
Indisputable 4x4
looks…
At first glance, Dacia Duster is clearly a 4x4. Its
front end exudes a sense of ruggedness, with its imposing chrome grille and
sump guard also pointing to its clear 4x4 credentials. Seen in profile, its
high ground clearance, wide wheel arches and body protection are an open
invitation to take on even the toughest surfaces.
Today's all-terrain vehicles are often synonymous with bulk, a preconception which Dacia Duster sweeps aside. Being 4.31 metres long and 1.82 metres wide, Dacia Duster is very compact, making it as at home in built-up areas as it is when taken off the beaten track. Although it clearly demonstrates that it belongs to the world of all-terrain motoring, Dacia Duster boasts attractive, yet not ostentatious lines.
…with genuine go-anywhere ability
Dacia Duster was
designed to tackle all types of roads and tracks, all over the world. In
order to meet these varied needs, it will be available in all markets in
both 4x2 form (for customers looking for good ground clearance and a high
driving position, without the need for four-wheel drive) and with 4x4
transmission for off-road driving.
Dacia Duster's strengthened undercarriage is suitable for dirt roads and all-terrain use thanks to its high ground clearance (more than 200mm) and impressive clearance angles (approach angle: 30 degrees; departure angle: more than 35 degrees).
Dacia Duster is easy to drive and not only aimed at all-terrain drivers. Its combination of its low unladen weight (1,180kg in 4x2 - 1,280kg in 4x41) and compact proportions, ensure particularly agile handling. In the 4x4 version, thanks to the unique and intuitive control (sourced from Nissan) located at the foot of the centre console, Dacia Duster drivers can easily adapt the vehicle's transmission configuration to meet their needs of the moment. This control allows one of three modes to be selected:
A Dacia 4x4 Which Delivers All The Strengths Expected Of The
Brand
Duster, the sixth vehicle in the Dacia range, remains true to
the brand's philosophy by offering unbeatable cabin space for its price,
plus low running costs thanks to its thrifty fuel consumption, as well as a
high level of safety and reliability whatever the conditions.
Unbeatable cabin space for its price
Although Dacia Duster's
price is comparable with that of a city car, its exterior and interior
dimensions are more akin to those of a compact car from the segment above.
It comfortably seats up to five adults, with both front and rear occupants
enjoying the same amount of space as passengers in its sister Logan
model.
Dacia Duster's boot capacity is unbeatable, too, with a volume of up to 475dm3 ISO. With the rear benchseat folded and tipped forward, its impressive carrying ability can even exceed 1,600dm3 ISO.
Reliable engines with good fuel economy and low CO2
emissions
Both the 4x2 and 4x4 versions of Dacia Duster will be
available with either a 1.6 16V 110hp petrol engine, or 85hp or 105hp dCi
diesel power. All three powerplants have already demonstrated their
efficiency under the bonnet of a number of Renault group models.
These engines are perfectly suited to the criteria of cost, strength and ease of maintenance that are a hallmark of the Dacia range. Combined with Duster's low weight, they ensure that Dacia's newcomer returns low fuel consumption and boasts impressive ecological credentials, with the dCi diesel versions emitting less than 140g of CO2/km in 4x2 form (qualifying Duster for the Dacia ecoČ signature) and less than 150g of CO2/km in the case of the 4x4 versions.
Safety: an absolute priority
Dacia Duster benefits from
Renault's acclaimed expertise in the area of safety. The news 4x4 features
Bosch 8.1 ABS, as well as EBV electronic brakeforce distribution and
emergency brake assist. On the passive safety front, Dacia Duster comes as
standard with two front airbags (depending on market) and three-point seat
belts with load limiters for the front seats. Depending on version, two
lateral head/thorax airbags are fitted in addition to the driver and
passenger front airbags to provide additional protection in the case of
side impact. Pyrotechnic pretensioners for the front seats (depending on
version) complete Dacia Duster's retention system. In addition to holding
the thorax firmly in place, they limit forward body movement in the case of
a frontal impact by tightening the belt around the thorax and the lap.
Reliability and strength: Dacia fundamentals
Like all the
vehicles based on the B0/Logan platform, Dacia Duster has been engineered
to deliver the hallmark strength and reliability motorists have come to
expect of the brand.
Particular attention has been paid to anti-corrosion protection thanks to several precautions:
Similar care has been paid to the electrics and electronics, with an installation already seen on several Renault models.
To back up its high build quality, Dacia Duster comes with a three-year or 100,000km warranty in the majority of its European markets.