Dacia confirms upcoming electric offshoot for the Duster
Denis Le Vot told Autocar that Dacia would also be launching the Duster with an electric drive in the future, but did not specify a date. The Duster is one of the best-selling models in the Romanian Renault brand’s portfolio. According to Denis Le Vot, the electric offshoot will be optionally available with all-wheel drive. In all likelihood, it will be modelled on the upcoming electric Renault 4, which has similar dimensions and was recently unveiled as a 4×4 concept. This marks a first for the AmpR Small platform (formerly known as CMF-BEV), on which only series front-wheel drive vehicles had previously appeared or been announced.
The AmpR Small is also confirmed by Denis Le Vot for the upcoming electric Duster. The architecture (of the Renault 5, Renault 4 and E-Twingo) is a version of the CMF-B optimised for electric drives. This means that vehicles from both platforms can be produced on one line, and Dacia could offer both combustion engines and electric drives with one Duster body. This is what the brand explicitly intends to do. The electric version of the Duster is seen more as a supplement than a replacement.
In any case, according to Autocar, Dacia will initially launch a new 4×4 hybrid version of the third Duster generation this year. In addition, two new C-segment models with combustion engines are in the starting blocks, which will be at the top of the model range alongside the Duster Bigster. However, the brand has announced a presentation for November, at which Dacia will presumably present the key points of its further electrification strategy.
The first points are already clear: In spring 2024, the head of the Dacia brand confirmed to Autocar that the next-generation Sandero will also be offered as an electric version in addition to its classic drive system. The Sandero is Dacia’s best-selling model. The new generation is due to be launched in 2027 or 2028 and will be available until 2035, when the combustion engine will be phased out in accordance with EU legislation. The current Sandero generation has been on the market since 2020.
Dacia has also started preparations for a new electric city car for Europe, which is to be offered at prices below 18,000 euros. Dacia aims to complete the development of the small electric car within 16 months, according to the timetable set by ex-Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo in February. However, de Meo has since taken his leave from the top of the Group.
This short development time will be possible because the Dacia is based on a Renault model: the electric Twingo. According to de Meo’s statements at the time, the corresponding Dacia offshoot, for which not many details are yet known, will be a further 2,000 euros cheaper, and thus start at a price of less than 18,000 euros. Dacia brand boss Denis Le Vot has now also posted a teaser image (see below). It shows that the Dacia offshoot will have a much more angular look in line with the brand’s design language.
Based on current information, the Romanian brand’s upcoming small electric car is therefore likely to cost around €1,000 more than Dacia’s current electric model, the Spring. This is offered at prices starting from 16,900 euros. However, the new model is likely to offer better technology: The Spring only produces 33 or 48 kW, depending on the variant, and the WLTP range of the 26.8 kWh battery is 225 kilometres. Although no data is yet available for the Twingo E-Tech Electric, it is expected to have a range of around 300 kilometres and, above all, better charging performance: The Spring can charge with a maximum of 30 kW at DC charging stations.
0 Comments