Dacia has launched
a new entry-level version of the Duster in the United Kingdom. Available from
£ 10,995 in the Access grade, with a front-wheel drive
configuration only, it is powered by a new turbocharged engine that replaces
the old SCe 115 naturally aspirated 1.6.
According to Dacia,
the new lump provides better fuel efficiency and improved performance compared
to its predecessor. You can also order it in the Essential and Comfort specs,
from £ 12,495 and £ 13,995.
The new 1.0-liter,
turbocharged three-cylinder kicks out 100 PS at 5,000 rpm and
260 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm, with the latter representing a
sizeable 66 percent improvement compared to the SCe 115. It’s paired to a
five-speed manual transmission and returns between 48.7 and 49.5 mpg UK
(5.8-5.7 l/100 km / 40.5-41.2 mpg US) in the WLTP test cycle, with carbon
dioxide emissions of 126 g/km. 0-100 km/h takes 12.5 seconds and top
speed is a not-that-impressive 167 km/h.
The Duster Access
features black side mirror caps and 16-inch alloy wheels, and also comes with
tinted rear windows, automatic high and low beams, electric front windows,
speed limiter, hill start assist and a few other items.
Air conditioning is
offered from the Essential grade, which also gets front fog lamps, 5-spoke
wheels, black roof bars and steering wheel with height adjustment. The
reversing camera, cruise control, electric rear windows, leather-wrapped
steering wheel, chrome side mirror casings, dark metal roof bars and different
wheels are standard in the Duster Comfort grade.
Other engines
available for the Romanian SUV are the TCe 130 and TCe 150 petrol fours and the
dCi 115 diesel. The TCe 130 is available in Comfort, Prestige and Techoad trim
levels with 2WD, and the tCe 150 can be ordered in the latter two, with two- or
four-wheel drive. The diesel comes with 2WD or 4WD in all versions except for
the Access.
