Renault Duster – a very good & cheap SUV

At first glance, Dacia Duster is clearly a 4×4. Its front end exudes a sense of ruggedness, and the wide wheel arches, imposing chromed grille and sump guard all point to Dacia Duster 4×4 credentials. Seen from the side, its high ground clearance, clearly-defined wheel arches and body protection are an open invitation to take on even the toughest roads and tracks.

Today’s all-terrain vehicles are often synonymous with bulk, a preconception which Dacia Duster sweeps aside. Standing at a length of just 4.31 metres and a width of 1.82 metres, Dacia Duster is very compact, making it as at home in built-up areas as it is when taken off the beaten track. Although it clearly demonstrates that it belongs to the world of all-terrain motoring, Dacia Duster boasts attractive, yet unostentatious lines.

Dacia Duster was designed to tackle all types of roads and tracks, all over the world. In order to meet these varied needs, Dacia Duster is available in all markets in both 4×2 form (for customers looking for high ground clearance, high driving position but who have no real need for a four-wheel drive daily driver) and with 4×4 transmission for off-road driving.

Dacia Duster’s strengthened underside is suitable for dirt roads and all-terrain use thanks to its high ground clearance (more than 200mm) and big clearance angles (approach angle: 30 degrees; departure angle: more than 35 degrees).

Dacia Duster is easy to drive and not only aimed at all-terrain aficionados. The combination of its low unladen weight (1.180kg in 4X2 – 1,280kg in 4X4) and compact proportions ensure particularly agile handling. In the 4X4 version, thanks to the unique and intuitive control (sourced from Nissan) located in the cabin at the foot of the central column, Dacia Duster drivers can easily adapt the vehicle’s transmission configuration to meet their needs of the moment.

This control allows one of three modes to be selected:

• When the Auto mode is selected, the front/rear torque split is calculated automatically as a function of available grip. This system is aimed at providing optimal traction, however much grip is available, and gives Dacia Duster genuine 4×4 ability. In normal conditions, the torque is transmitted through the front wheels only. If traction is lost, or when grip is at a premium, some of the torque is transferred to the rear axle. In extreme conditions, the torque is split equally front and rear. This split is performed by an electromagnetic torque converter supplied by Nissan.

• In Lock mode, the driver electronically locks it into 4×4 mode, whereby 50 per cent of torque is consistently fed through the rear axle. This mode is recommended in low grip conditions (snow, mud, dirt, sand) at low speeds.

• In 4×2 mode, the transmission is locked into two-wheel drive. This mode is suited to driving on good roads and reduces fuel consumption.