Wacky concept previews the tech, style and features we can expect on future Dacias On sale Never Price from Priceless
FIRST LOOK
George.Hill@haymarket.com
IN POLITICS, IT’S usual for a governmental party to clearly signal its policies, future plans and views in order to attract followers. Motor manufacturers do the same through the medium of concept cars, and none is more literal in its name than Dacia’s Manifesto.
A quick glance at this minimalist off-road buggy is all it should take to figure out that it isn’t a production car, nor is it likely to ever be. What it is, though, is a showcase for the looks and some of the features that can be expected on upcoming Dacia models, including the next-generation Duster family SUV and the Bigster seven-seat large SUV.
The Manifesto has a very rugged look with a single front spotlight, a raised ride height, metal skid plates and chunky airless (and puncture-proof) off-road tyres for tackling punishing terrain. In the interest of saving weight, it has no doors, windows or windscreen; Dacia says its new production models will be as lightweight as possible to maximise fuel efficiency, although we somehow doubt they’ll go to such extremes.
The off-road focus of the Manifesto also echoes the fact that Dacia plans to make its cars better equipped for outdoor pursuits. For example, the Dacia Jogger MPV is set to gain an optional ‘all-in-one box’ – a storage box that can be installed in the boot and folds out into a bed for camping.
Meanwhile, the body of the Manifesto concept is partially constructed using Dacia’s new ‘Starkle’ plastic, which is made up of 20% recycled plastic and is itself 100% recyclable.This will feature on all upcoming Dacia models, starting with the new Duster.
While Dacia will offer fully electric cars in the fut
