Dacia is a car manufacturer that is at a turning point. Renault, the parent company, has big plans in the area of electrification of the range, and the local manufacturer must keep up. For the producer from Mioveni, the defining years are coming.
Dacia has always been perceived as a manufacturer that does not deviate from strategy. It brings on the market cheap models, accessible to anyone and, critics say, with few state-of-the-art equipment. Many customers, however, believe that it offers exactly what it needs for the money it demands on its models. You don’t even have to expect high tech systems when you want to buy one of your models.
It is a relevant brand on the European market and not only, and thanks to the technologies brought by the French and on the models of the local brand (later, it is true, but it happens) it managed to keep itself in the graces of customers.
It’s just that the car industry is in a continuous transformation, and Dacia must keep up.
Dacia turns elegant
Until you find out about the launches prepared in the coming years, it is worth noting the direction that the local manufacturer is already drawing. It has already launched the new models Logan 3, Sandero 3 and Sandero Stepway. From the first you can see the more elegant lines and design elements borrowed from the French brands of Renault, such as Clio.
The headlights have a specific Y-shaped signature, which you will notice from now on on everything that will be launched. The new models are more robust, more elegant and even wider – that is, they fit better on the road and you feel safer. Renault’s technologies, as I said, started to come on the new models as well.
Better late than never.
The triple launch clearly marked the beginning of another approach. With the third generation of the mentioned models, Dacia entered a new era. It gave up the platform that Renault launched in 1998 and switched to CMF-B, ie the one already used on the Clio version. This means that we will see in the future, more than likely, hybrid cars sold under the Dacia brand.
The beginning is even marked by an electric. It is about the Spring model, which is produced in China and which should reach the first customers in Romania in the fall of 2021.
Beyond these launches, however, the local manufacturer has many surprises in store. It starts this summer.
Duster facelift variant
For the end of June, Dacia has prepared the launch a facelift Duster version. This is an improved version, which has the role of keeping the fans of the brand focused on this model, which will not receive the new version before 2024.
The facelift variant obviously has elements in addition to the current generation of the SUV produced in Mioveni, but don’t expect anything spectacular. Of course, if you are now looking for a Duster, the facelift option is more suitable. But if you can wait a few more years, it would be good to focus on Duster 3, which I will talk about immediately.
The facelift version of Duster 2, therefore, comes this summer, and the manufacturer promises the same front and rear optical blocks similar to those currently existing on Logan, Sandero or Spring (those with the Y signature).
The small class B SUV will also benefit from a more imposing radiator grille, which will also generate a slight lowering of the bumper. The changes will be manifested strictly in the areas of the plastic elements of the body, without involving the metal surfaces.
As for the interior, there are some improvements. Not much, but it may be right. On board will be the new multimedia system, available on the new Logan and Sandero. And that’s it. On the technical side, however, the facelift version of the Duster will be equipped with a dual-clutch transmission. The EDC transmission practically returns to the Duster models.
The hybrid system will not be found on this new variant. It will most likely be introduced on the model prepared for 2024.
Replacement for MCV?
Initially, it was rumored that Dacia will come in 2021 with a replacement for the Lodgy and Logan MCV models. It seems, however, that the plans have been abandoned for the time being, as the demand for commercial vehicles seems to be covered, at least at European level, by manufacturers better anchored in this area.
Dacia representatives did not hesitate, however, to confirm that Dokker is already history. And the strategy seems simple: Renault has commercial vehicles, there would be no room for anything from the local brand, because it would mean cannibalization.
“For Dacia it is a choice without commercial vehicles. Dacia will focus on cars, Renault will increase the share of commercial vehicles “, said recently the new director of Dacia, Mihai Bordeanu.
The plan stands if you look at the Renault range in this area. The French have in their portfolio commercial / utility models such as Van Traffic, Express Van and Master.
Dacia Duster 3
Probably the most awaited launch remains the one planned for 2024: the third generation of the SUV which propelled the sales of the manufacturer from Mioveni – Duster 3.
The French press recently speculated that the third generation Dacia Duster will arrive on the market in 2024 and will strongly resemble Bigster, the concept presented recently. It will be like a little brother to this model, which is to be released a year later.
Named internally P1310, the Dacia Duster 3 SUV will be assembled on the CMF-B platform of the Renault group, ie the one on which the latest Logan and Sandero models are made. The Duster 3 could come in a hybrid version or even be a plug-in hybrid. It’s complicated to keep the price so low in this last scenario, but the builder can find a solution.
Model-teaser
In terms of design, the future Duster 3 will share most of the features with Bigster. In fact, the information found by French journalists so far suggests that, having the same technological basis (CMF-B) – in the case of Bigster with a larger extension of the rear console (as in the case of Sandero – Logan), some almost identical front end and the same command and control equipment, both future Dacia SUVs will look striking.
I said above that Duster is an iconic model of Dacia, so it is logical why the third chapter of the story is being prepared. Here are the numbers that confirm this.
The first Duster was launched in 2010 and has established itself extremely well on the market. It was at that time and is still an extremely affordable model, and Renault has predicted the direction in which the market will go. Today, the segment has grown strongly and all major manufacturers have realized that there is demand for SUV and crossover models. That’s how Ford came into play – with the Puma and EcoSport models.
Renault representatives claim that, last year, Duster was in first place in the first three quarters and was dethroned only in the last three months of 2019 by Renault Captur. The Duster model reached its fourth consecutive year of growth and also surpassed the Volkswagen T-Roc model.
The “big” Bigster, the surprise of the builder from Mioveni
The release of Duster 3 will actually be a teaser for the Bigster model. Already present in the concept version, it could be the blow given by the local manufacturer on the segment of large SUVs. If what we saw in the concept version will remain on the series version, then the Bigster will have generous dimensions, 7 seats and will strongly resemble the vehicles in the Rover range.
Large and (electric?)
Bigster was presented as a 4.6 meter long model, which is said to be robust, spacious and “suitable for outdoor getaways.”
This SUV foreshadows the solution proposed by Dacia for a C-segment vehicle affordable at the price of a model in the lower segment.
“The Dacia Bigster concept expresses the future evolution of the brand. It is a vehicle that offers what is essential, evoking the spirit of adventure and bringing an extra “cool” touch. Bigster is proof that an affordable vehicle can be attractive. We at Dacia believe this and the proof is the concept presented today. “
Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Design Director Dacia
The Bigster concept can be equipped with alternative and hybrid engines, and the company suggested that it would not replace Duster. At least for now. Bigster is part of the development plan of the new Dacia-Lada business unit. The French bought the Russian brand in 2017.
The new entity will be responsible for the development of the series model prefigured by Bigster, but also of a new range of Dacia models.
Dacia has, therefore, something to surprise you with in the coming years. The emphasis will obviously be on electric models, and if they are large and strong, as now required in the market, so much the better.
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