CARS OF THE WORLD

Dacia Duster 2024.

Duster has entered a new generation: more brutal, richer, without a diesel engine.

In Europe, the third generation crossover will be offered as a hybrid; buyers will also be able to choose a bi-fuel version. The start of sales is scheduled for spring next year.

The Renault group presented a new generation of one of its most popular models: we meet the “third” cross-country Duster.

The five-door traditionally debuted under the Romanian brand Dacia; it will get a new diamond design later.

Let us remind you that the Duster has been in service since 2010, it entered the second generation in 2017, the Euro version underwent restyling in 2021, and last year the SUV under the Dacia brand was once again slightly modernized — it received a new emblem.

As the press service of the Renault Group noted, in just 13 years more than 2.2 million crossovers were produced.

As expected, the Duster has moved from the B0 platform to the more modern CMF-B chassis, which also underpins the latest Dacia Logan, Sandero and Jogger.

The wheelbase has become smaller — now 2657 mm versus 2673/2676 mm for its predecessor (front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive).

The remaining dimensions have remained almost unchanged. The length of the new Dacia Duster is 4343 mm, width – 1809 mm, height – 1656 mm.

Ground clearance of the front-wheel drive version is 209 mm, all-wheel drive is 217 mm. The trunk volume is 472 liters according to the VDA method, and this, as the manufacturer claims, is 6% more than the previous SUV.

The exterior was designed based on the Dacia Bigster concept from two years ago, so the Duster lost its rounded shape.

The “third” SUV has massive bumpers, a sculpted hood, impressive linings on the wheel arches, LED “games” in the headlights and taillights shaped like the same letter.

Another feature is the rear door handles hidden on top. The cross is equipped with 16-, 17- or 18-inch wheels.

In general, the new Duster looks both more solid and brutal than the previous model, however, the archaic antenna still stands out from the crowd.

The interior is completely new, although the brand has not switched to the now fashionable sensors — only physical buttons.

The basic Duster still has analog instruments and a simple radio; rich versions have a 7-inch digital instrument panel and a multimedia system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The tablet and center console are facing the driver.

Well, inside there is also a lot of “games” that are now branded for Dacia.

Meanwhile, as European journalists who managed to ride a new Duster write, the plastic remains hard.

Available accessories include holders for gadgets, an LED lamp, and even a box in which you can put a bottle of water: all this stuff is attached, for example, to the headrests of the front seats.

The list of standard equipment includes six airbags, rear parking sensors and cruise control.

Expensive configurations also include climate control, wireless charging for a smartphone, auto braking systems, lane keeping systems, road sign recognition and reverse parking assistance.

The Dacia Duster no longer has a diesel engine — at least in the Old World. The crossover will be offered to Europeans in three modifications.

The Duster TCe 130 version is a “mild” hybrid: this crossover has a 1.2 TCe petrol turbo engine (130 hp), supplemented by a 48-volt starter-generator; this version is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.

It will also be possible to choose the Duster Eco-G 100 with a bi-fuel three-cylinder turbo engine 1.0 (gasoline and propane; 100 hp) and manual transmission.

At the top of the range is the Dacia Duster Hybrid 140 with an installation similar to that of the similar Dacia Jogger station wagon: it includes a 1.6 four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine (94 hp), an electric motor (49 hp), a starter-generator and a modest 1.0-liter battery. 2 kW*h, total output – 140 hp.

All-wheel drive is only available for the mild-hybrid Duster. By the way, later the crossover with 1.2 TCe should receive a robotic gearbox.

The new generation Dacia Duster will hit the European market next spring.

Prices have yet to be announced, with the base crossover expected to cost under €20,000. For the previous model in Romania, for example, today they ask for a minimum of 17,900 euros.

In Russia, Duster now only has a “parallel” future, but once upon a time the plans of the Renault Group included a relative of the “third” SUV under the Lada brand.