The first big news story to come out of the CV Show in Birmingham is that Dacia will be launching a commercial variant of the Duster later in the year. The Romanian manufacturer is well known for vans in Europe, but this is the first model to enter the UK LCV market.
Overview
So far, the SUV-derived-van is the only commercial vehicle confirmed from Dacia. Order books are set to open in June 2015, and prices will start from £9,959 plus VAT.
“With the Dacia brand now established as part of the UK motoring landscape following two very successful years of growth, we now feel the time is right to launch a Duster product in the commercial vehicle sector”, explains Andy Heiron, Dacia Brand Manager in the UK.
The Dacia Duster Commercial will be available with one engine (1.5dCi with 107bhp and 240Nm), two layouts (4×4 and 4×2) and two trim levels (Ambiance and Laureate).
Load Area
At the business end, the windows have been blacked out and rear seats have been removed to make way for the PVC cargo floor. Internal load length measures 1,400mm and there is a small 300mm high bulkhead. Width between the wheelarches is one metre, therefore it can fit a euro pallet sideways only.
Load volumes stand at 1.15 cubic metres (1,150 litres) on the 4×2 and one cubic metre (1,000 litres) on the 4×4 to accommodate the prop shaft. The 550kg payload may seem small, but there are few car derived vans that offer more than this.
Specification
Dacia has made its mark on Europe by offering affordable motoring. Inevitably, not much comes as standard, but there is a USB port, CD player, Bluetooth, anchorage points in the rear and electric windows. Laureate models gets side sills and scuff plates, piano black detailing, trip computer, heated adjustable mirrors, cruise control and the option of 4×4.
On the outside, there are roof bars, a rear tailgate and chrome grille. Laureate models add chrome roof bars and alloy wheels
Summary
The Dacia Logan van performs well in Europe, where it competes against the sister van Renault Kangoo, but it seems the Duster is the only commercial we’ll see from Renault for some time. The prices are extremely attractive and the car variant, at least, isn’t a bad vehicle. We’ll just have to wait to test it on a commercial platform.
