New Dacia Duster and Bigster hybrid 4×4 models blend efficiency and off-road performance
Hybrid 140 4×4 cars have been designed to tackle ‘more challenging terrain’, according to the brand.
Dacia has broadened its Duster and Bigster line-up with a new hybrid 150 4×4 powertrain, which aims to bring together the efficiency of an electrified setup with off-road know-how.
Priced from £26,845 and £29,265 for the Duster and Bigster respectively, the latest setup has a petrol engine at its core, though assisted by a rear-mounted electric motor which powers the rear wheels when additional traction is needed.
It means that when the petrol-powered front wheels lose traction, the electric motor can drive the rears through a two-speed gearbox and provide an additional 87Nm of torque when required.
Then, when four-wheel drive isn’t needed anymore, the rear axle motor can disengage entirely to lower friction and improve efficiency for longer on-road journeys.
New driving modes, including Snow and Mud/Sand can help the driver to tailor the powertrain’s responses to the environment, while a Lock mode is designed for low-speed climbing on tricky terrain.
A new Hill Descent Control also allows drivers to set the car to travel at speeds of between two and 18mph on steep descents, keeping better control when driving downhill. Drivers can also use the wheel-mounted paddles to manually change gear, too.
Both new Duster and Bigster models are on sale now, with Extreme specification available on both and more cost-focused Journey there to choose from on the Bigster/