Dacia announced its 4×4: Dacia Duster

Dacia, the Romanian automaker has announced today the launch of its 4×4 called Dacia Duster.

First of all please understand that we live in Romania, where these cars are made. Here in Romania they succeeded to sell a lot of Logan and Sandero’s because these cars are cheap. That’s the only reason why Dacia succeeds to sell so good these cars. But the actual Logan is …. a bad carriage and if you want to buy a second hand Dacia and the car doesn’t have warranty then you just made a bad move.

Anyway, today Dacia announced its 4×4, a car named Duster. The car will be manufactured at the brand’s Pitesti plant in Romania. The Pitesti factory will manufacturer both the 4×2 and 4×4 versions for the European, Turkish and Maghreb markets, with sales scheduled to begin next spring (2010).
It has a length of just 4.31 metres and a width of 1.82 metres (typical for Dacia; - a small carriage ) , 1.180kg in 4X2 - 1,280kg in 4X4 and will be available with either a 1.6 16V 110hp petrol engine or with 85 dCi or 105 dCi diesel power.

In the 4X4 version, thanks to Nissan tech located in the cabin at the foot of the central column, Dacia Duster drivers can adapt the vehicle’s transmission configuration to meet their needs of the moment. This control allows one of three modes to be selected:

AUTO mode: the front/rear torque split is calculated automatically as a function of available
grip. This system is aimed at providing optimal traction, however much grip is available In extreme conditions, the torque is split equally front and rear. This split is performed by an electromagnetic torque converter supplied by Nissan.

LOCK mode, the driver electronically locks it into 4×4 mode, whereby 50 per cent of torque is consistently fed through the rear axle. This mode is recommended in low grip conditions (snow, mud, dirt, sand) at low speeds.

4×2 mode, the transmission is locked into two-wheel drive. This mode is suited to driving on good roads and reduces fuel consumption.

Talking about Safety, Duster will come with Bosch 8.1 ABS, 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 an impact from the side. 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 movement of the body in the case of a frontal impact by tightening the belt around the thorax and the lap.

Duster will be launched in the spring of 2010 in Europe, Turkey and the Maghreb region (Algeria, Morocco). From June 2010, Duster will also be available in the Ukraine, the Middle East (Israel, Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon) and in some African countries badged as a Renault.

At this moment Dacia didn’t communicate any price, but most probably Duster will cost ~ 13.000 – 15.000 Euros. Yes I know that this is a new car, but with 15.000 Euros I’ll buy an second hand Audi Allroad!

• [PHOTO GALLERY] Travec Tecdrah TTi based on Dacia Duster to be launched in 2012
• UK: Dacia Duster to cost under GBP10k
• Recall roundup: Dacia Duster in Romania
• More than 300,000 Duster SUVs sold worldwide
• Frankfurt: Dacia revealed 800 HP Duster and Feuerwehr Duster
• Dacia Duster is the best sold SUV of 2011 in Spain and France
• Dacia Duster available for pre-order in the UK

• [PHOTO GALLERY] Travec Tecdrah TTi based on Dacia Duster to be launched in 2012
• UK: Dacia Duster to cost under GBP10k
• Recall roundup: Dacia Duster in Romania
• More than 300,000 Duster SUVs sold worldwide
• Frankfurt: Dacia revealed 800 HP Duster and Feuerwehr Duster
• Dacia Duster is the best sold SUV of 2011 in Spain and France
• Dacia Duster available for pre-order in the UK