The Romanian automaker, Dacia unveiled three new models at the Geneva International Motor Show. The all-new Duster, the new Spring, and the Sandrider are the latest additions to Dacia’s lineup, each offering a different appeal to customers looking for value, efficiency, and adventure.
The All-New Duster: A modern and versatile SUV
The new Dacia Duster is the second generation of Dacia’s best-selling SUV, which has sold over 1.6 million units worldwide since its launch in 2010. The new model features a completely redesigned exterior, with a more muscular and dynamic look, LED daytime running lights, and a range of new colors. The interior has also been upgraded with a new dashboard, a larger touchscreen infotainment system, and improved comfort and safety features.
The Dacia Duster is powered by a choice of two petrol engines and two diesel engines, with manual or automatic transmission and front-wheel or four-wheel drive. The new model also boasts a best-in-class ground clearance of 210 mm, a 30-degree approach angle, and a 34-degree departure angle, making it capable of tackling any terrain. The All-New Duster also offers a host of driving aids, such as hill start assist, hill descent control, blind spot warning, and a multi-view camera.
The All-New Duster is expected to go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2024, with a starting price of around $14,000.
The New Spring: A low-cost electric city car
The New Spring is Dacia’s first and most affordable electric vehicle in Europe. The New Spring is based on the Renault City K-ZE, a small crossover that is sold in China. The New Spring has a similar design but with modifications to suit the European market, such as a new front grille, LED headlights, and roof bars.
The Dacia Spring has a 26.8 kWh battery pack that provides a range of 225 km (140 miles) on the WLTP cycle or 295 km (183 miles) on the NEDC cycle. The battery can be charged using a standard household plug, a wallbox, or a fast charger. The electric motor delivers 33 kW (44 hp) and 125 Nm (92 lb-ft) of torque, allowing the New Spring to reach a top speed of 125 km/h (78 mph).
The 2024 Dacia Spring is designed to be a practical and spacious city car, with a boot capacity of 300 liters (10.6 cubic feet), and a roomy cabin that can accommodate four adults. The New Spring also comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a range of safety features, such as ABS, ESP, six airbags, and rear parking sensors.
The New Spring will be available in Europe in the first half of 2024, with a starting price of around $11,000.
The Sandrider: A rally raid beast
The Sandrider is Dacia’s newest and most ambitious project, a rally raid vehicle that will compete in the World-Rally Raid Championship (WRRC). The Sandrider is based on the Duster but with significant modifications to make it suitable for the extreme conditions of rally raid events, such as the Dakar Rally.
The Sandrider has a tubular chassis, a carbon fiber body, and a reinforced suspension. The engine is a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 340 hp and 360 Nm (266 lb-ft) of torque, coupled with a six-speed sequential gearbox and a four-wheel drive system. The Sandrider weighs 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) and has a fuel tank capacity of 500 liters (132 gallons).
The Sandrider is the result of a collaboration between Dacia and the French racing team PH Sport, which has a long experience in rally raid competitions. The Sandrider will make its debut in the 2024 WRRC season, with the aim of challenging the dominance of Toyota and Mini.
The Sandrider is not intended for commercial sale, but Dacia hopes that it will boost its brand image and showcase its technical expertise.
Conclusion
Dacia has shown that it is not afraid to innovate and diversify its portfolio with three new models that cater to different segments and needs. The new Duster, the new Spring, and the Sandrider are proof that Dacia can offer quality, affordability, and performance without compromising on style, comfort, or safety. Dacia is a brand that is on the rise and one that deserves more attention from the automotive world.
