[Auto] It's the brand-new Dacia Duster!

[Desire-]

Although we’re big fans of the Dacia Duster here at TopGear.com, there’s a slight feeling of unease surrounding this all-new third generation. Why? Well, it looks a bit… too good, bluntly. A bit plush. A little too much equipment and swagger for what is supposed to be a cheap, no-nonsense, working hero. But before we do the usual and jump headlong to conclusions, it’s probably worth a little delve into what we’re looking at.

For a start, this is a properly new Duster. It’s based on the Renault/Nissan CMF-B platform (common module family) that underpins the Jogger and new Sandero as well as the Clio and forthcoming Renault 5, so bang up to date on that front. It’s an architecture that’ll take a variety of drivetrains (including full EV), but the new Duster is going hybrid-ish and techy from the start. So there’ll be three drivetrains on offer, as well as  front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. Already, we raise our collective eyebrow. But bear with us.

There’s the Hybrid 140, which comprises a 1.6-litre, 94bhp petrol engine with a 49bhp electric motor - plus a big starter-generator. It’s a clutchless auto, has re-gen braking and a little 1.2kWh battery - so not much all-electric range - but it is properly efficient if driven sympathetically. Then there’s the TCe 130 mild-hybrid, which gets a three-cylinder, 1.2-litre turbocharged motor with a 48-volt electric bit bolted to it to support. It’s only got a 0.9kWh battery, so no electric range, but the electric bit helps the combustion motor when starting and accelerating - so it’s a bit more responsive - and 10 per cent more efficient than the equivalent power ICE. That one comes with a six-speed manual in either front or 4x4 versions.

Lastly there’s the Duster TCe 100 Bi-fuel, and that does what it says on the tin. It’s a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo that can run on either one of its two 50-litre tanks of either LPG or petrol. You can only have it as front-wheel drive - the LPG tank is under the boot floor where the 4x4 bits would go - but it gives you 10 per cent less CO2 than a straight petrol, and a possible 1,300km - that’s over 800-miles - of range. Best for those that live near a convenient LPG outlet though.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/first-look/its-brand-new-dacia-duster