Dacia Duster is a front- or all-wheel drive crossover of the compact segment with "global ambitions" (but under the Romanian brand - focused on the European market), which combines a pretty design, a high level of practicality and good cross-country ability ...
The car is intended for people with average incomes who "live in the city, but periodically leave it", or "villagers" ...
The second incarnation of the all-terrain vehicle was first declassified on the Web on August 30, 2017, and already on September 12, the official full-fledged premiere took place in Frankfurt - and looking at the new product, it is clear that the car went along the evolutionary path of development, reducing the "degree of budget" as a result of reincarnation.
The five-door became noticeably more attractive in appearance, practically did not change in size, acquired an expanded list of equipment and received a modernized technical "stuffing".
After the “generational change”, Dacia Duster retained one hundred percent recognition, but at the same time it became much more attractive, modern, harmonious and brutal. The front view of the car flaunts nice lighting equipment with LED "eyeliners" at the bottom, a stylish radiator grille and a massive bumper, and at the back it attracts attention with spectacular lights that play up the "sight" theme, and a neat bumper with a protective cover made of unpainted plastic.
In profile, it is a well-knit crossover with well-developed wheel arches "muscles", a sill line rising to the stern, impressive roof rails and a littered windshield.
The exact dimensions of the second generation "Duster" have not yet been announced, but it is known that its length is about 4.3 meters, and its width is 1.8 meters. The ground clearance of the SUV is 210 mm.
The interior of the SUV attracts attention with its cute and modern design, in which there are practically no "budget notes". Stylish four-spoke multi-steering wheel, laconic "instrumentation" with two dials and a display of the onboard computer between them, a neat center console with a 7-inch multimedia system monitor and three "microclimate" controls - of course, there are no memorable design solutions inside, but none of the elements causes rejection.
In addition to this, the decoration of the car is qualitatively cut with solid materials of decoration.
The "second" Dacia Duster is a five-seater car, and even in the second row three people can more or less comfortably accommodate. But in the front seats, ergonomic chairs are installed with tangible support on the sides, dense padding and a large number of adjustments (including height and lumbar support).
Compared to its predecessor, "Duster" has become less practical: in front-wheel drive versions, the trunk volume in the standard form is 445 liters, and in all-wheel drive versions - 376 liters. The rear sofa folds down in two unequal sections, significantly increasing the cargo capacity of the five-door.
In Europe, the Dacia Duster of the second incarnation is offered with engines familiar from the previous model, which are combined with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions, front or plug-in full (with a multi-plate clutch that transfers up to 50% of thrust to the rear wheels) drive:
- The petrol range includes a 1.2-liter TCe turbo four with direct injection, which develops 125 horsepower and 205 Nm of torque, and a 1.6-liter SCe with distributed power, which generates 115 hp. and 156 N • m of available capacity.
- The diesel line combines 1.5-liter dCi engines with a turbocharger, direct injection and 8-valve timing, which have 90-110 horsepower and 200-240 N • m of torque in their arsenal.
At the heart of the "Duster" of the second incarnation is the modernized platform "B0" with a transversely placed power unit in the front part and an independent front suspension of the McPherson type with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. The design of the rear axle depends on the modification: for front-wheel drive - a semi-dependent torsion beam, for all-wheel drive - a multi-link system.
In addition, the car is equipped with a rack and pinion power steering and braking system with ventilated discs at the front and simple "drums" at the rear.
Sales of the "second" Dacia Duster in the European market will start in winter (it will reach other countries under the Renault brand much later - not earlier than 2019). Configurations and prices have not yet been disclosed, but after the "change of generations" the car will clearly rise in price and receive much richer functionality. For example, the "top" performance of the crossover will be able to boast: keyless access, full "climate", all-round cameras, starting the engine with a button, monitoring the blind spots, adjusting the driver's seat lumbar support, automatic switching of headlights and other modern "chips".
