Marketed in the fall of 2024, the third generation of the Dacia Duster will change technically from top to bottom by adopting the CMF-B platform of the Sandero and Jogger. But the question mark remains the presence of a 4×4 version. The manufacturer is working on an alternative solution.
Known internally under the code P1310, the new Dacia Duster will undergo a revolution in 2024. For this third generation, the Romanian manufacturer has started from scratch, in particular thanks to the adoption of the new CMF-B technical base which equips already the Sandero and the Jogger. As for the exterior styling, everything has already been known since spring 2021 when the patents accidentally leaked. The athletic lines of the Duster 3 will be common with the Bigster, the seven-seater big brother, which we discovered at the beginning of 2021 in the form of a concept very close to the production model (planned for 2025).
TO READ. Dacia Bigster. Its design explained by Alejandro Mesonero-Romano
The thorny issue of the 4×4 version
Under the pressure of reducing CO2 emissions, imposed by Europe, many manufacturers are giving up on a 4×4 version. On this subject, Denis Le Vot (boss of Dacia) told us at the beginning of 2021: “We are working on the proposal, but the equation is damn complicated. We look how far we can go. It’s work in progress”. It’s hard to imagine a Duster without all-wheel drive, which is part of the vehicle’s DNA. In France, the model is popular in mountainous areas as well as by professionals and administrations. It must be said that in this category the available models can be counted on the fingers of one hand (Fiat Panda 4×4, Jeep Renegade, Suzuki Vitara).
The tradition of all-wheel drive will continue on the new Duster.
According to internal sources, the Dacia Duster 3 will continue to be offered in a 4×4 version but it will abandon its mechanical transmission with reducer for a 100% electric system. The engineers have thus installed a small electric motor on the rear axle which will operate the wheels to provide additional traction in the event of loss of grip or to have a 4×4 transmission on difficult terrain. This technical solution, more expensive than a mechanical system, will become widespread among manufacturers. In particular on the future small SUVs from Stellantis which will be launched from 2023: Jeep baby Renegade and Alfa romeo Brennero.
The 1.2 TCe engine for later
While Renault will launch the new three-cylinder 1.2 in the fall of 2022 on the Austral, then on its other models, Dacia will initially ignore this mechanism for cost reasons. The new Duster will build on the current range by betting on the 100 hp 1.0 Eco-G fueled by LPG as well as the 130 and 150 hp 12V mild-hybrid 1.3 TCe which will make it possible to make the EDC automatic gearbox permanent. These proposals will be relevant at least until 2027, which will mark the entry into force of the new Euro 7 anti-pollution standard. It is likely that the Duster 3 will inherit the 1.2 TCe later on the occasion of its restyling.
On the other hand, the 1.5 diesel will disappear from the catalog replaced by a hybrid petrol version. The Romanian SUV will borrow the 145 hp 1.6 E-Tech known under the hood of the Renault (Clio and Captur) and Nissan (Juke). Inaugurated at Dacia by the Jogger in 2023, this ingenious system will nevertheless be simplified compared to the cousin version. If the Duster will remain the cheapest SUV on the market, its price positioning will go up one or more notches depending on the version.
