Facelifted Dacia/Renault Duster details revealed

Renault's fully owned subsidiary Dacia has revealed the details of the upgraded Duster ahead of its global unveiling at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The upgraded new Dacia Duster (aka Renault Duster) retains all the styling features, which have contributed to its success, while taking on more emphatic 4x4 design cues. The front fascia of the new Duster gets a redesigned grille, adorned by two chrome-plated strips and a new, lower-set air intake and new double-optic headlights with daytime running lights. The upgrades underscore the car's on-road stance and robust, "go-anywhere" character. To make it look more rugged, the SUV sports a new Duster-badged roof bars with slatted supports, new 16-inch 'Anthracite' Metal" alloy wheels and "Mud and Snow" tyres.

The rear end of the new Duster features new lights echo with styling cues of the front end. A chrome-plated tailpipe and new "4WD" lettering round out the exterior styling changes, which further enhances the car's personality. The interior design of New Dacia Duster has been significantly upgraded to deliver excellent driving pleasure. The vehicle comes equipped with a completely redesigned dashboard, featuring a centre-mounted console with improved integration. It comes with four new upholstery choices, including leather. Comfort has been enhanced through new-design seats and a reinforced rear bench seat back. The darker cabin colours emphasise the strong character of New Dacia Duster and its sound 4x4 credentials. To underscore the design and abilities of New Duster, Dacia offers customers extensive personalisation possibilities through a comprehensive range of accessories. Two special personalisation packs are available to further enhance the looks of New Dacia Duster. The "Adventure" pack, for example, includes extended wheel arches and door-sill protectors.

The new Dacia Duster is now available with front parking sensors, adding to the present range of safety accessories that includes a fire extinguisher kit, an anti- theft system, snow chains and a child seat. It sports a DaciaMedia Nav, a complete multimedia system including Bluetooth connectivity and sat nav. Moreover, A Dacia Plug&Radio is also available which comprises a radio, an MP3-compatible CD player, Bluetooth connectivity, and integrated jack and USB sockets. New Dacia Duster also features new, useful equipment, including cruise control, speed limiter, rear parking sensors (on some versions), automatic door locking, and an exterior temperature display. The electric window controls, now located on the doors, are equipped with one-touch mode on the driver’s side. New Dacia Duster has even more cabin space and trunk volume, the latter measuring 475 litres.

While talking about active safety measures, the new Dacia Duster comes equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System). The vehicle also has several passive safety equipment including front and driver passenger airbags, as well as side head-and-chest airbags. The back seats are fitted with Isofix anchor points for the simple and safe attachment of baby and child seats.

The new Dacia Duster gets a new TCe 125, 4-cylinder 1.2 litre direct-injection turbo petrol engine. The engine offers 90 per cent of maximum torque from just 1,500rpm. The other engine options are - 105bhp, 1.6-litre and two versions of the 1.5 dCi powerplant, with 90bhp or 110bhp. It now offers two driving modes - Eco Mode Function and Gear Shift Indicator. The Eco Mode helps driver to reduce their fuel consumptions. The Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) uses visual signals to inform drivers of the best moment to shift up or down to reduce fuel consumption and, in turn, CO2 emissions.

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