2024 Dacia Duster: A New Design, a New Platform, and a New Hybrid Option

The Dacia Duster is a success story that few could have predicted. Since its launch in 2010, the affordable and practical SUV has sold over 2.2 million units worldwide, becoming the best-selling model in its segment in Europe. But Dacia is not resting on its laurels. The Romanian brand, part of the Renault Group, has just unveiled the third generation of the Duster, which promises to be a game-changer in terms of design, technology, and sustainability. Here are some of the key aspects that make the new 2024 Dacia Duster a compelling choice for SUV buyers.

A Bold and Modern Design Inspired by the Bigster Concept

The new Dacia Duster has a striking appearance that draws inspiration from the Bigster concept car that was revealed in 2022. The front end features a new grille and headlight arrangement, with parallel lines that flow into the LED daytime running lights. The bumper has air curtains and metallic skid plates, giving the Duster a robust and outdoor look. The side profile has a coupe-like shape, with muscular wheel arches, hidden rear door handles, and a sloping roofline. The rear end has a large tailgate, C-shaped LED lights, and a prominent spoiler. The new Duster also has 7mm more ground clearance than the previous model, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Dacia Duster is slightly wider and lower than the outgoing model, but it retains the same length of 4.34 meters. This means that it still offers a spacious and comfortable interior, with plenty of room for five passengers and their luggage. The boot capacity has increased to 472 liters, up from 442 liters in the old two-wheel-drive version. The cabin has also been upgraded with new materials, a redesigned dashboard, and a larger 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The new Duster also features a digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, and a range of driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, and hill descent control.

A Sustainable and Eco-Smart Approach to Materials and Engines

One of the most notable aspects of the new Dacia Duster is its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness. The new Duster uses a new material called Starkle, which is made of 20% recycled plastic and has a distinctive speckled appearance. The Starkle material is used for the wheel arch cladding, the side sills, and the panel beneath the wing mirrors. It is also unpainted, which reduces the environmental impact and the maintenance costs of the vehicle.

The 2024 Dacia Duster also adopts a new platform, the CMF-B, which is shared with other Renault Group models, such as the Clio, the Captur, and the Sandero. This platform allows the Duster to offer new engine options, including a hybrid variant for the first time. The hybrid Duster will use a 1.6-liter petrol engine and two electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear axle, delivering a combined output of 140 horsepower and a four-wheel-drive capability. The hybrid Duster will also have a 1.2 kWh battery that can provide up to 50 km of electric range.

The hybrid Duster will join the existing petrol and LPG engines that are already available for the Duster. The petrol engines include a 1.0-liter turbocharged unit with 90 horsepower and a 1.3-liter turbocharged unit with 130 or 150 horsepower. The LPG engines use the same 1.0-liter and 1.3-liter units, but they can run on both petrol and liquefied petroleum gas, which is cheaper and cleaner than petrol. The LPG engines also have a larger fuel tank capacity, which increases the driving range of the Duster.

A Competitive and Value-for-Money Proposition for SUV Buyers

The new Dacia Duster is expected to go on sale in Europe in the spring of 2024, with prices starting from around $23,000 for the base model and reaching up to $32,000 for the hybrid version. These prices are very competitive compared to other compact SUVs in the market, such as the Citroen C3 Aircross, the Hyundai Kona, or the Volkswagen T-Roc, which can cost up to $40,000 or more depending on the trim level and the engine option.

The 2024 Dacia Duster also offers a lot of value for money, as it comes with generous standard equipment, a spacious and versatile interior, a rugged and modern design, and a range of efficient and eco-friendly engines. The new Duster also benefits from the reputation and reliability of the Dacia brand, which has been growing steadily in Europe and other markets, thanks to its simple and smart approach to car making. The new Duster is the flagship model of the Dacia range, which also includes the Sandero hatchback, the Logan sedan, and the Jogger minivan.

The new Dacia Duster is a remarkable evolution of the original model, which has become a phenomenon in the SUV segment. The new Duster combines the essential features that made the previous generations successful, such as affordability, practicality, and robustness, with new elements that make it more attractive, more advanced, and more sustainable. The new Duster is a clear example of how Dacia is reinventing itself for the future, while staying true to its core values and its loyal customers. The new Duster is more than just a Duster, it is a Dacia.

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