2024 Dacia Duster: Everything We Know About The New Small SUV With Off-Road Credentials

This story contains speculative illustrations of the brand new Duster that aren’t affiliated with or endorsed by Dacia. Now we have refreshed the article with all-new renders and essentially the most up-to-date data in regards to the small crossover. (Up to date 5/27)

The Dacia Duster is among the Romanian automaker’s biggest hits with more than 2 million sales since its debut in 2010. An all-new third-generation mannequin is anticipated to launch in 2024, sustaining an necessary function within the Renault Group model’s lineup. The brand new sub-compact Duster will keep true to the spirit of its predecessors as an reasonably priced, off-road-ready, and sensible B-segment SUV with adventurous styling, whereas bringing new expertise and improved refinement.

The present, second technology of the Dacia Duster was initially launched in 2017 and acquired a mid-cycle facelift in 2021. Regardless of its continued reputation amongst European patrons, the SUV is in dire want of an replace because of its reliance on the getting old B0+ platform. The brand new technology will lastly make the transfer to the a lot newer CMF-B structure, which can be used within the Renault Clio / Captur, the Nissan Micra / Juke, the Mitsubishi ASX / Colt, in addition to the Dacia Sandero / Logan / Jogger and the upcoming Bigster.

Bigster-Impressed Styling

Primarily based on the fresh spy shots of camouflaged Duster prototypes, our associates created unique renderings, giving us an early take a look at the Romanian SUV. Dacia is a grasp in cost-cutting methods, one thing that can be utilized in its SUV household. In that context, the Duster might share a few of its exterior and inside parts with the bigger Bigster, regardless of the distinction in dimension.

The mechanically associated SUVs inside the Dacia lineup might characteristic comparable design parts resembling skinny LED headlights, triangular taillights, bumpers with built-in aluminum-style skid plates, boxy wheel arches, and pronounced fenders. Moreover, they might incorporate the snorkel-inspired characteristic on the profile, which was launched by the second-generation Duster as a intelligent, trendy, and cost-efficient technique of connecting the offset fenders with the doorways. This distinctive design aspect has develop into a signature attribute of the Duster SUV.

The Duster will characteristic common door handles on the entrance and hidden on the again, whereas shedding some high-tech options of the fancier idea, all in favor of lowering prices. It is going to additionally characteristic the brand new grille and Dacia Link emblem which has already been adopted by the whole vary of the Romanian automaker.

Learn Additionally: 2024 Dacia Duster Shows Off Slim LEDs And Boxy Shape In Its Spy Debut

The dashboard – partly revealed by earlier spy photographs – will characteristic a bigger and higher-mounted touchscreen for the infotainment system, at the very least within the high-end trims because the cheaper ones should settle with a smartphone integration answer. The introduction of a digital instrument cluster can be a primary for Dacia, presumably joined by Renault-derived switchgear.

The worth-for-money character of the Duster makes us consider that the Romanian automaker will retain a good quantity of arduous scratchy plastics on the dashboard, door playing cards, and middle console. Nonetheless, Dacia designers might discover intelligent methods of enhancing the perceived high quality with trendy textures and sturdy upholstery for the seats – particularly within the flagship Excessive trim which has confirmed to be fairly in style.

The brand new Duster is anticipated to develop in size in comparison with the present mannequin, which measures 4,341 mm (170.9 inches) lengthy, approaching the Jogger’s 4,547 mm (179 inches). This can outcome in much more house for the passengers and their baggage. In spite of everything, the Duster has all the time been one of many roomiest fashions within the B-SUV phase, and Dacia desires to maintain it that approach. Moreover, the Duster will profit from Dacia’s new accent line, probably together with roof-mounted tents and different camping solutions, additional enhancing its versatility for outside fanatics.

Electrification Is Knocking Duster’s Door

The Duster is the one remaining mannequin within the Dacia vary that isn’t but primarily based on the Renault Group’s new CMF-B structure, already discovered within the Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Logan, and Jogger. This can change with the third-generation mannequin, bringing enhancements in experience high quality and refinement, with out shedding the rugged character that’s marketed as an necessary promoting level.

When it comes to powertrains, it’s probably that the turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine will proceed to function the entry-level possibility within the Duster lineup, supplied in each petrol and bi-fuel (LPG) variations. Nonetheless, because of the extra stringent Euro 7 emission laws, the diesel possibility is anticipated to be faraway from the vary. Instead, environment friendly mild-hybrid petrol powertrains may very well be launched as a substitute, guaranteeing compliance with the stricter emission requirements whereas offering improved gas effectivity and lowered environmental influence.

Extra importantly, Renault’s self-charging hybrid that was just lately launched within the Jogger will almost definitely discover its approach into the primary Duster Hybrid. This setup combines a naturally-aspirated 1.6-liter engine with two electrical motors, a 1.2 kWh battery pack, and a multi-mode gearbox. It produces a mixed 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS) and affords a driving vary of 900 km (559 miles) with a full tank of fuel, though it solely is available in FWD guise.

Lastly, there have been rumors and hypothesis a few totally electrical model of the Duster primarily based on the CMF-BEV structure. Nonetheless, Dacia has emphasised its dedication to the interior combustion engine (ICE) recreation till the very finish. The model’s focus is on offering essentially the most reasonably priced options for its prospects, so whereas an electrical Duster could also be a chance sooner or later, Dacia’s present precedence stays on providing cost-effective ICE choices to fulfill the wants of its buyer base.

Off-Street Seems Require A 4WD Possibility

The brand new Dacia Duster is anticipated to hold over the custom of providing all-wheel-drive as an possibility, even though most variants can be front-wheel-drive. This implies it should stay one of many few fashions within the B-SUV segment able to extra severe off-roading, due to the mix of four-wheel-drive, beneficiant floor clearance, and respectable method and departure angles in keeping with the no-frills appears to be like. For reference, the present Duster boasts a 214-217 (8.4-8.5 inches) floor clearance, a 30° method angle, and a  33-34° departure angle.

Identical to its predecessors, the third technology of the Dacia Duster can be produced in Mioveni, Romania. The corporate has already began testing camouflaged prototypes so the debut is probably going close to. French media report that the reveal might come as early as autumn 2023, with an anticipated market launch within the spring or summer season of 2024.