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Dacia Duster Concept - Dacia's first concept crossover - is proud to be
different. Seen from the driver's side, it is visibly a sporting coupé,
yet passengers entering from the other side will see it as an MPV (Multi
Purpose Vehicle) with a traditionally opening front door and rear-hinged
rear door which suggest plush travelling refinement.
Dacia Duster Concept's height of 1.49 metres, short front and rear
overhangs (65cm and 80cm respectively), generous wheelbase (2.80m) and
compact volumes (4.25m long, 1.64m wide) exude an overriding sense of
robustness and sports appeal.
The front end features a broad bumper with two horizontal air-intake
slits that suggest power. The grille features evident Dacia styling cues
and is flanked by headlamps which wrap over the front wings to form a
tapering line of light that stretches rearward towards the doors.
Viewed from the side, the clear-cut lines of the wheel arches and tall
doors reinforce the impression that Dacia Duster Concept sits squarely
on the road. The Anthracite Grey bodywork and extensive one-piece glazed
sweep - made possible by the absence of a central pillar - highlights
the styling of the sides which are unmistakably reminiscent of Dacia
Duster Concept's graphic identity.
At the rear, the engraved Dacia logo further emphasizes the concept
car's robust, dependable credentials.
Like Logan, Dacia Duster Concept is just 4.25 metres long, and its
inherent agility ensures that it is perfectly at home in the urban
jungle. Meanwhile, its 21-inch, five-spoke aluminium alloy wheels,
exterior mirrors positioned on the window surround and trapezoidal
aluminium exhaust tailpipes are telltale signs of its sporting pedigree.
Special care has gone into Dacia Duster Concept's aerodynamic efficiency
(Cd: 0.30) and the fluid lines of the body sides enable air to flow
freely along the vehicle's flanks before being jettisoned through the
rear lights. The aerodynamic, wing-like forms of the roof-mounted
direction indicators also channel airflow towards the rear. The sum of
all this work has naturally been beneficial to fuel consumption, and
Dacia Duster Concept stands out as a particularly
environmentally-respectful crossover. Despite its performance potential,
the particulate filterequipped 1.5 dCi 105hp engine (77kW) emits just
139g of CO2/km, equivalent to fuel consumption of 5.3 litres/100km.
A CROSSOVER WITH DACIA HALLMARKS
This futuristic crossover showcases the brand's core values - namely
simplicity, robustness and authenticity - in a surprising form, yet
Dacia's hallmark ingenuity and generosity are immediately apparent in
the way designers have approached Dacia Duster Concept's cabin.
The concept car's two-tone chocolate and blue interior exudes a sense of
well-being and conviviality. The fully glazed roof floods the cabin with
light, while the enveloping forms of the staggered slim-line front seats
provide first class comfort and support. The driver's seat is
incorporated in a structure which extends all the way from the sill to
the centre console, forming a sculptural, one-piece ensemble that echoes
the exterior's sporty appeal.
The user-friendly dashboard features fluid, expressive lines while
employing simple materials. The driver's side front airbag is housed in
the lower part of the steeringwheel which has made it possible to
position the screen centrally and free up appreciable stowage space on
the dashboard. The latter's receding lines also provide record kneeroom
of 280mm for the front passenger who benefits from an exceptionally
comfortable seating position. The bellows-like form of the original
two-tone dashboard incorporates a 20-litre glovebox, while the door
inserts each include eight-litre stowage bins. Another bin has been
cleverly concealed in the back of the rear right-hand seat. A simple
push causes a box to slide forward from the boot which itself is in
total keeping with the Dacia spirit, with the upright tailgate providing
a carrying capacity of 470dm3 (VDA), a remarkable achievement for a
vehicle of Dacia Duster Concept's compact overall dimensions.
Dacia Duster Concept is an adaptable, modular concept car. The four-seat
'daily driver' layout can be swiftly converted into a leisure
configuration in a matter of seconds. The passenger seat slides
underneath the driver's seat on rails concealed in the floor to leave
just one front seat and consequently free up a total carrying volume of
two cubic metres. Thanks to a recess in the floor and a strap located
under the dashboard, this space can be used to carry a trials mountain
bike.
Dimensions
Length: 4,250 mm
Width: 1,640 mm
Height: 1,495 mm
Overall width, doors open: 4,285 mm
Wheelbase: 2,804 mm
Front track: 1,637 mm
Rear track: 1,640 mm
Unladen weight: 1,300 kg
Boot volume: 470 dm3 (VDA)
Technical data
Engine type: dCi 105
Maximum power: 105 hp (77 kW)
Maximum torque: 240 Nm at 2,000rpm
0-100 km/h: 9.6 s
CO2 emissions: 139g/km
Combined cycle fuel consumption: equivalent to 5.3 litres/100km
Transmission: Manual six-speed gearbox
Tyres: 245/35 ZR21
Wheels: 21-inch diameter wheels
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