The Dacia Duster is a big hit. Since its introduction back in March 2010, two million people have purchased the high-legged SUV. The popular 4X4's second-generation arrived a few years ago, and now it's time for a facelift for the more moderate models. Among the biggest news is that you can now get a Duster with the efficient EDC gearbox - something many customers have been asking for for a long time. This is connected to a 150 hp TCe engine.
With over two million copies sold, the Duster has become an icon for Dacia. Renewing an icon is not an easy task. Since the first model, the car's appearance has been a hit, so we have not changed it significantly. But we have strived to make it a little more modern and fresh to look at. The new Duster is exactly as it has always been.
From the outside, you have to wear sharp glasses to see the big difference after the facelift. The headlight signature has been changed to match the new Y-shaped signature on the new Sandero and Sandero, and there is a new, more distinctive radiator grille. It is among the great changes that have taken place. There are brand new seats, new headrests and a high centre console with adjustable armrests. And then it is possible to choose between two different multimedia systems with a new 8-inch touchscreen. The system is called Media Display and Media Nav.
With Media Display, you get six speakers, DAB radio, Bluetooth, two USB sockets and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the steering wheel is also a button for voice control, which allows controlling a smartphone iOS or Google Assistant.
If you drive the 4X4 version, you can also see a large amount of useful information on the centre screen. Among other things, the angle of inclination sideways, entrance and exit angles, altimeter and compass. Following a trip to the terrain, the data from the trip can be viewed on the display screen.
Just as it is now, there is a wide variety of engines to choose from. The big news is that the EDC gearbox is now available on a 150 hp front-wheel-drive petrol. You can also get a manual, six-speed gearbox for the 150 hp version, just as you can get it for the other petrol variants offered. 90 and 130 hp. On the diesel side, there is an engine to choose from - namely the rock-stable 115 hp engine - also with a six-speed manual transmission.
Further innovations in Duster include blind spot alarm, park assist, as well as, of course, hill-start assist and, in the 4X4 version, there is also adaptive hill descent control. It makes it a breeze to get down even the wildest descents without the car running wild. In first gear - or when reversing - you can manually set the car's downhill speed to between 5-30 km/h.
In addition, you can now get a so-called multiview camera. It is a camera system with four cameras that shows the situation around the car. The main advantage of this is that it makes it extremely easy to park your Duster.
The new Dacia Duster will be introduced in September and the prices are already ready. They start at 22,800 euros for a 90 hp TCe Essential. If you want the same engine in the comfort version, the price is 23,900 euros, while the prestige version costs 24,900 euros.
If you need more engine power under the helmet, you can choose the Dacia Duster with a 130 hp engine. Here, the prices start at 27,000 euros. @via Dacia.
