The third-generation Dacia Duster has definitely grown up – but has it gone too soft?
EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT
Although we’re big fans of the Dacia Duster here at TopGear, there’s a slight feeling of unease surrounding this all-new third generation. Why? Well, it looks a bit... too good, bluntly. A bit plush. A little too much equipment and swagger for what is supposed to be a cheap, no nonsense, working hero. But before we do the usual and jump headlong to conclusions, it’s probably worth a little delve into what we’re looking at.
For a start, this is a properly new Duster. There’ll be three engines on offer, as well as front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options. Already, we raise our collective eyebrow. But bear with us. There’s the Hybrid 140, which comprises a 1.6-litre, 94bhp petrol engine with a 49bhp electric motor – plus a big starter-generator. Then there’s the TCe 130 mild hybrid, which gets a 1.2-litre 3cyl turbo with a 48V electric bit bolted to it to offer some light support. It’s only got a 0.9kWh battery, so no electric range, but the electric bit helps the combustion motor when starting and accelerating. Lastly there’s the Duster TCe 100 Bi-fuel, which is a 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo that can run on either one of its two 50-litre tanks of either LPG or petrol.
The Duster looks good too. There’s a bluff grille, and a new windowline and chunky stance that seem to complement the idea of what a Duster is supposed to be. David Durand, Dacia’s design director, said “We wanted to make the new Duster’s design more attractive than ever, by making the style even more quintessentially Duster and Dacia, by vigorously and proudly reasserting our values – ‘robust and outdoor’, ‘essential but cool’, and ‘eco smart’.”
There’s also a new interior, with a 10.1-inch screen and a 7.0-inch configurable driver’s display, with four trims starting at base Essential (which gets a phone mount and app for extra controls), through Expression (nicer 17in wheels, more kit) and on to the Extreme and Journey which are the
