Dacia has enhanced and updated its Duster SUV model.This latest version features refreshed design elements, up-to-date features, and technology all while continuing to offer the same robustness, comfort, and value-for-money which it is famed for.
Launched in the UK in 2013, and available across Europe since 2010, the Duster quickly earned a reputation for delivering all the benefits of an SUV at city car price. With shockingly affordable value, the Duster has shaken-up the SUV segment, having broken the rules to become a unique offering for consumers. With more than 1.9 million vehicles sold, the Duster has been the number one car for retail sales in its class in Europe’s SUV market since 2019.
Following on from earlier generations, the New Duster is aimed both at customers who are looking for a comfortable, attractive SUV and those who want a robust, versatile 4×4.
True to its heritage, the New Duster is still a family SUV with a trailblazer spirit. It is the companion for everyday use, but also for adventures in nature. Its captivating design has evolved, especially in respect of its lights and grille, which give it an even stronger personality, and improved CO2 efficiency.
Inside, it is fitted with a high centre console with a retracting armrest, offers two multimedia systems with a new 8-inch screen and is available with a dual-clutch automatic EDC gearbox. As versatile to drive as ever, the New Duster is available in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions. The latest version boasts an enhanced 4×4 Monitor system.
Unveiled with the new Desert Orange bodywork, the New Duster has a more contemporary design. Not only is this evolution more stylish, but it has improved the Duster’s aerodynamic performance for greater efficiency.
At the front end, the New Duster adopts the style features of Dacia’s refreshed visual identity first seen on the New Sandero and Sandero Stepway. New light units include Y-shaped daytime running lights, a new shape that also inspired the new 3D chromed radiator grille. This more contemporary front end reinforces the New Duster’s personality.
The always-on lighting at the front and rear embody the new Dacia light signature, and the Duster is the first Dacia model to be equipped with front LED direction indicators. This technology is also used for the dipped headlights (with automatic main beam activation as standard), and the number plate lights. As well as lower electricity consumption, the LEDs offer brighter lighting, day and night, providing greater visibility for both the driver and other road users.
Thanks to the advanced expertise of Dacia’s innovative designers and engineers, the Duster’s aerodynamic performance has been improved. The design of the new rear spoiler and new 16 and 17-inch alloy rims have been put to the test in a wind tunnel. The set of CO2 optimisations (new wheel bearings and tires, LED lighting) including the drag area (SCx) allows a reduction of up to 5.8g of CO2 on the 4×4 version of the New Duster.
As well as the CO2 reduction, these features have also helped to deliver lower fuel consumption, providing another benefit for customers.
The New Duster improves the comfort of its occupants with a more inviting cabin. It is equipped with new upholstery, new headrests, and a high centre console with a wide retracting armrest. The New Duster also offers two multimedia systems with a new 8-inch touchscreen.
The upholstery for the seats on the New Duster is 100 per cent new, and the fabric and shape of the enhanced headrests offer improved ergonomics. The new, slim profile of the headrests improves the visibility in the passenger compartment for rear passengers looking to the front and vice versa.
A major new feature is the inclusion of a high centre console with a wide armrest that retracts 70mm. Available on selected models, it houses a closable, 1.1-litre storage compartment and two USB charging sockets for the rear passengers.
The comprehensive standard equipment includes an onboard computer screen, automatic main beam activation and cruise control and speed limiter with backlit controls on the steering wheel.
Automatic climate control with a digital display, heated front seats and a hands-free card are available on higher specification versions.
The New Duster is available with a choice of two new multimedia systems. In addition to the Dacia Plug & Music audio equipment (radio, MP3, USB, and Bluetooth), two new, user-friendly multimedia systems are available: Media Display and Media Nav. These are accessed through the new centrally mounted 8-inch touchscreen on the dashboard.
With Media Display, the equipment includes six speakers (two “boomer” speakers and two tweeters at the front), DAB radio, Bluetooth® connectivity, two USB ports, and wired smartphone replication compatible with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto®. Specific controls on the steering wheel are used to activate voice recognition that allows the driver to control a smartphone iOS or Google assistant with their voice.
With Media Nav, the multimedia system is enriched by onboard navigation and Wi-Fi connectivity for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto®.
The interface on Media Display and Media Nav has a Vehicle tab that is used to access economical driving information, and on the four-wheel drive version, the 4×4 Monitor which displays an altimeter, inclinometer, and compass information.
The Duster’s engine range has been completely renewed to combine driving pleasure with reduced CO2 emissions. The New Duster is now available with a six-speed automatic EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) gearbox with the TCe 150 engine, while the capacity of the LPG tank on the TCe 100 Bi-Fuel version has been increased by 50 per cent, or 49.8 litres.
The two-wheel drive version of the New Duster now boasts a six-speed automatic EDC gearbox combined with the TCe 150 engine. It offers the comfort and pleasure of an automatic gearbox while keeping fuel consumption and CO2 emissions close to those of a manual gearbox.
The EDC gearbox has two clutches: one for the odd gears (1,3,5) and one for the even gears (2,4,6 and reverse). Gear changes are controlled via electric actuators which are, in turn, controlled by a computer that selects the ideal gear for the driver’s requests. During a gear change, the engaged clutch opens at the same time as the clutch of the next gear closes. Gear changes are quick and smooth, and the torque is transmitted continuously. No energy is lost and there is no engine stutter, resulting in greater efficiency and comfort.
The EDC system reduces the rotation of the engine by ensuring the vehicle is in the highest gear possible for a given speed, thus controlling fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
