Fans of the Dacia brand will be delighted to learn that the Duster is even more ‘shockingly affordable’ to run. The introduction of a new EU6-compliant 1.6 16V 115 petrol engine has enhanced performance, reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and as a result significantly reduced overall running costs.
Dacia now offers a greater number of petrol-engined models in the Duster range. Ambiance 4x2 and 4x4 versions have been added for instance, delivering a more forward-looking product line. There are also improvements to the fuel economy and emissions of most models in the Sandero family and the Logan MCV with the introduction of EU6 engines.
The brand new 1.6 16V 115 engine
Dacia is proud to introduce the 115hp 1.6-litre 16-valve engine - a brand new unit – and not simply an EU6 version of the petrol engine previously fitted to the Duster. Offering 10hp more than its predecessor at 5,500rpm and with an extra 8Nm of torque it now trims half a second from the 0-62mph acceleration time of 4x2.
Motorists will be delighted to hear that the greatest gains are in fuel efficiency and running costs. For 4x4 versions, CO2 emissions are reduced by an impressive 30g/km to 155g/km, while NEDC fuel consumption has been reduced by 6.2mpg and is now 41.5mpg. As a result the vehicle excise duty (VED) is reduced to £180.
4x2 models also deliver impressive improvements. CO2 comes in at 145g/km, fuel economy improves by 4.3mpg to 44.1mpg and the yearly VED charge is reduced by £35 to £145. Towing capacity is improved through the increase in power and torque so that its power is now equivalent to 4x4 versions.
A more progressive and logical model structure
With the introduction of petrol-engined Ambiance models for the first time, Dacia has now made available10 versions of the Duster.
There are two entry-level Access models (4x2 and 4x4), both powered by the new 1.6 16V 115 engine; mid-range Ambiance trim is available with both engines and both drivelines; and at the top of the range there are Lauréate and Lauréate Prime versions, all diesel, in 4x2 and 4x4 formats.
Greater efficiency and lower costs across the rest of the Dacia range
EU6 engines also bring greater efficiency and lower runing costs to Dacia’s other models in the UK – the Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Logan MCV.
The 1.2-litre 16V 75 engine in the Sandero and Logan MCV now attracts zero VED (previously £130) with a reduction in CO2 emissions from 135g/km to 130g/km. The power output is 73hp and the 107Nm of torque now peaks at a much lower 4,250rpm, improving performance. Fuel economy is unchanged at 48.7mpg.
With the 0.9-litre TCe 90 engine available in all three models, torque has risen from 135Nm to 140Nm, and Stop & Start is now standard. CO2 emissions are down by 7g/km to 109g/km in the Sandero and Logan MCV, and by 9g/km to 115g/km in the Stepway, while the respective fuel economy improvements are 1.2mpg to 57.7mpg, and 3.1mpg to 55.4mpg.
