DACIA DUSTER. The third Dacia Duster of the name was unveiled this Wednesday, November 29. The Romanian SUV, with a completely renewed look, has many advantages to remain one of the favorite models of the French.
The career of the Dacia Duster is taking a new turn. Thirteen years after its first spin, the Romanian SUV is shifting into third gear with a new model, the 3rd generation Duster, presented this Wednesday, November 29. The manufacturer did not hesitate to cut to the chase with a new version with much more geometric shapes, a design which gives it a more robust and adventurous side than the previous version revealed in 2017.
Born in 2010, the family SUV, mainly manufactured in the Pitesti factory, in Romania, is a real success for the Renault group brand. Very popular due, in particular, to its very competitive prices, the Duster has sold more than 2.2 million copies worldwide. In 2022, it was the best-selling SUV in Europe, all segments combined. This new opus, which will hit our roads in 2024, seems designed to stay at the top of sales.
What’s new on the Dacia Duster III?
- Like almost everywhere else, curves are no longer fashionable at Dacia. The designers of the new Duster, under the leadership of David Durand, have sharpened their pencils to draw much straighter lines, whether on the front, rear and even on the sides of the SUV. What emerges is a more assertive silhouette and a more adventurous and robust car than it appeared before.
- On the front, the Duster III sports a shield as vertical as its hood is horizontal. The brand’s new lighting signature, with Y-shaped optics, brings a touch of finesse which contrasts with the imposing vertical shield with a large air inlet.
- The cut is (very) clean at the back as well. A small roof spoiler overlooks the vertical tailgate on which we can read the model name in its center. As at the front, the rear lights take the shape of a Y, part of which is rooted on the sides. The sides, in fact, have retained the plastic protections and wheel arches of the old version which now contrast with the rectilinear design of the bodywork.
- Inside, the new Duster will take a small leap forward thanks to the new CMF-B platform, already used for the Jogger and the Sandero. In particular, it will offer a new electronic architecture so that the SUV benefits from all the driving aids essential to comply with new European safety standards, which will come into force from next July. It also makes it possible to “offer an interior volume greater than that of the previous generation, for passengers and luggage, while maintaining an identical total length,” explains the brand. “The advanced design of the platform also allows the new Duster to guarantee better driving comfort as well as a reduction in noise and vibrations from rolling. Driving pleasure is clearly improving.”
- The dashboard accommodates a new multimedia system with a 10.1-inch central touch screen, presented on the Bigster concept car at the end of 2021, which is associated with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, in color and customizable. Dacia indicates that it “makes it possible to ideally display the information that the driver considers most useful.” This digital dashboard is fitted as standard on the new Duster from the Expression finish onwards. On the other hand, no revolution concerning the materials used which, for obvious reasons of cost, remain of fairly average quality but “more durable” according to the manufacturer.
- Still in the passenger compartment, the steering wheel now houses the Dacia logo and no longer the brand name. The vents, to bring hot or cold air into the vehicle depending on outside temperatures, have been designed in a Y shape to echo the new light signature of the family SUV.
- Like the Jogger before it, the third generation Duster will be able to accommodate the Sleep Pack, described by Dacia as “simple, removable and affordable” and which “includes 3 essential functions: a double bed (1m90 long and up to 1m30 wide) which can be deployed by a single person in less than two minutes, a tablet and storage space.” Enough to go on a weekend getaway behind the wheel of the SUV and sleep in the heart of nature, but sheltered!
The engines of the new Dacia Duster
At Dacia, the Duster was the last model still sold in diesel. This will no longer be the case in 2024, but new engines will equip the SUV. In particular a hybrid version with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a power of 94 horsepower associated with two electric motors – one of 49 horsepower and a high-voltage starter/generator – and an electrified automatic gearbox. Another new thing under the hood, the Duster will for the first time be equipped with a 1.2-liter 130-horsepower 3-cylinder gasoline engine with a 48V mild hybridization system. Other variations with different power levels are expected a little later.
The Duster will also be available in dual-fuel gasoline and LPG, the clean fuel consisting of liquefied petroleum gas, with a 1-liter engine with a power of 105 horsepower. Dacia announces that “by running on LPG, the new Duster ECO-G 100 emits on average 10% less CO2 than an equivalent gasoline engine. It offers up to 1,300 km of autonomy thanks to its two tanks displaying nearly 100 liters of cumulative useful capacity: 50 liters of gasoline and 50 liters of LPG (installed under the trunk floor, the latter preserves the loading volume). The transition from one fuel to the other is done easily. quickly and imperceptibly thanks to a switch perfectly integrated into the dashboard.”
When will the Dacia Duster III be released?
Unveiled at the end of November, the new Duster will not arrive on our roads before spring 2024. The SUV should arrive in dealerships in April 2024.
What will the price of the Dacia Duster III be?
Price is one of Dacia’s strengths, and the brand wants these models to remain as affordable as possible. Today, the price of the old generation at entry level – the ECO-G Essential version of the SUV (in LPG) – starts at 17,990 euros. The third opus will logically cost more, but its initial price will not exceed 20,000 euros according to our information. You will logically have to spend more for the hybrid version, expected between 25,000 and 27,000 euros.