After the transition of the Logan and Sandero models to the CMF-B platform, the question arises as to whether the more robust Dacia Duster awaits the same fate.
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Marc Suss, product director of the Dacia brand in European markets, revealed in an interview with the French magazine L’argus that the current generation of the Duster model will not be on the market for as long as we are used to. Instead of the traditional eight-year life cycle, a life cycle lasting just over six years is envisaged.
Although Suss did not reveal the specific date of the premiere of the third generation, according to the French magazine, its production should start during 2024. The performance itself could take place sometime at the turn of 2023/2024.
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However, speculations about the technical basis of the new Duster are much more interesting. It is no secret that the current (second) generation has brought only technical and aesthetic evolution. However, the third generation could bring a technical revolution – mainly thanks to the use of the CMF-B platform.
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The carmaker used this for the recently introduced new generations of the Sandero and Logan models, which meant a large investment in the equipment of the Romanian production plant Pitesti. In addition, the CMF-B platform is more expensive to process.
Nevertheless, Dacia cars should remain available, which the brand wants to achieve mainly due to the higher production volume of popular models. However, as French colleagues add, the Duster is one of the most popular Dacies and is hardly looking for more affordable competition in the SUV segment.
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Suss himself did not use the terms CMF-B and Duster in one sentence during the interview, yet the theory of producing a new generation of Duster on the CMF-B platform literally offers itself. The new platform would enable the use of new techniques and technologies, which would make it easier for the carmaker to slip through stricter emission regulations and at the same time reach a larger percentage of customers.
However, the tax could be the loss of all-wheel drive, which is not currently offered by any of the models already produced on the CMF-B platform. And if you want to draw attention to the Arkana model, we must disappoint you. The all-wheel drive version is only available for the Russian market and uses the old Duster platform. In Europe, Arkana is only available as a front wheeler.
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However, the question arises as to how much the loss of all-wheel drive would actually bother the new Duster. Other SUV models and crossovers in the Renault Group’s offer have already proven in the past that all-wheel drive is not so important for European customers.
If Dacia wanted to offer a more modern platform while maintaining all-wheel drive, it would probably have to reach for the CMF-C / D platform, according to the AutoEvolution website. However, the question arises as to whether the investments associated with further modifications to the Romanian plant and more demanding production would make economic sense. Especially with limited demand for ATVs.
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