Dacia Plans to Conquer the SUV, EV, and Rally-Raid Markets

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Dacia has been making waves in the European market with its affordable and practical vehicles, is not resting on its laurels. At the 2024 Geneva International Motor Show, Dacia unveiled three world premieres that showcase its ambition and innovation in the SUV, EV, and rally-raid segments. Here’s what you need to know about the All-New Duster, the All-New Spring, and the Sandrider.

All-New Duster: More Duster, Still Duster

The Duster is Dacia’s iconic SUV that has sold more than 2.2 million units since its launch in 2010. The third generation of the Dacia Duster, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, is based on the CMF-B platform that also underpins the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke. The new Duster features a more robust and assertive design, with a wider grille, LED headlights, and a higher ground clearance. The interior has also been upgraded with a digital instrument cluster, a 9.3-inch touchscreen, and more storage space.

The 2024 Dacia Duster offers a range of engines to suit different needs and preferences, including the ECO G100 LPG, the HYBRID 140, and the 48V TCe 130 mild-hybrid. The ECO G100 LPG is a bi-fuel engine that can run on either gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), reducing CO2 emissions by up to 11%. The HYBRID 140 is a full-hybrid system that combines a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 1.2 kWh battery, offering up to 80% electric driving in urban areas. The 48V TCe 130 mild-hybrid is a 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator, improving fuel efficiency and performance. All these engines are available with either a 4x2 or a 4x4 transmission, depending on the trim level.

The new Dacia Duster also boasts a host of advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot warning, and hill descent control. The new Duster also comes with a multi-view camera system that provides a 360-degree view of the surroundings, making parking and off-roading easier.

The new Duster is expected to go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2024, with a starting price of under $23,000. The new Duster aims to maintain its position as the best-in-class family SUV in terms of its price/performance ratio.

All-New Spring: More Appealing Than Ever, Still as Electrifying

The Dacia Spring is Dacia’s first full-electric car that was launched in 2023 as a low-cost and eco-friendly mobility solution. The Spring is based on the Renault City K-ZE, a small electric crossover that is sold in China. The Spring features an all-new exterior and interior design that makes it more appealing and modern than its predecessor. The Spring has a sleek and dynamic silhouette, with a two-tone body color, a chrome grille, and LED daytime running lights. The interior has a minimalist and functional layout, with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch multimedia central screen.

The Dacia Spring is also the lightest full-electric car in Europe, weighing less than a tonne. Despite its compact size, it still offers the best loading capacity in its segment, with a 300-liter trunk and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Spring also has many clever features, such as a smartphone holder, a wireless charger, and a smart key.

The Spring offers two powertrain options, depending on the trim level. The Essential and Expression trims have a 45 hp motor that delivers a top speed of 78 mph and a range of 140 miles on a single charge. The Expression and Extreme trims have a 65 hp motor that boosts the top speed to 87 mph and the range to 155 miles. The Spring can be charged using a standard household outlet, a wallbox, or a fast charger. The Spring also has an Eco mode that reduces the power output and the air conditioning to extend the range by 10%.

The Spring is the most affordable electric car in Europe, with a starting price of under $15,000. The Spring is also available as a subscription service, with a monthly fee of $150 that includes insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance. The Spring is the perfect choice for people who want a simple, efficient, and sustainable mobility solution.

Sandrider: Heading for Dakar

The Dacia Sandrider is Dacia’s prototype that will compete in the Dakar Rally and the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) in 2025. The Sandrider is an all-new vehicle that is designed specifically for rally-raids, the most challenging and demanding motorsport events in the world. The Sandrider is inspired by the Manifesto concept car that was revealed in 2023, showcasing Dacia’s vision of essential but cool, robust and outdoor, and eco-smart mobility.

The Dacia Sandrider is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine that runs on synthetic fuel produced by Aramco, Dacia’s partner and the world’s leading energy company. Synthetic fuel is a renewable and carbon-neutral fuel that is made from hydrogen and captured CO2. Synthetic fuel can be used in existing combustion engines without any modifications, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. Synthetic fuel is also compatible with the existing fuel infrastructure, making it more accessible and affordable than other alternative fuels.

The Sandrider has a lightweight and aerodynamic body, with a carbon fiber chassis and a composite shell. The Sandrider has a four-wheel drive system, a six-speed sequential gearbox, and a hydraulic suspension. The Sandrider also has a sophisticated navigation and communication system, with a GPS, a satellite phone, and a digital roadbook. The Sandrider has a crew of two, a driver and a co-driver, who will face the harsh and varied terrain of the rally-raids, such as sand dunes, rocky mountains, and muddy rivers.

The Sandrider is Dacia’s way of putting its approach to the essentials to the test in the toughest conditions. Through competition, Dacia will demonstrate its commitment to affordable decarbonization and its passion for adventure and exploration. The Sandrider will make its debut at the Dakar Rally in January 2025, followed by the W2RC in March 2025.

Dacia is not just a car brand, it is a movement that challenges the status quo and offers smart and accessible solutions for mobility. With its three world premieres at the Geneva Motor Show, Dacia proves that it is ready to conquer new markets and new horizons, without compromising on its core values and identity. Dacia is the brand that makes the impossible possible.

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