Can the Duster Clean Up in Uk 4x4 Market?

Sentinel, The; Stoke-on-Trent (UK) › January 16, 2010

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Summary

MOST people in Western Europe who want a car have already got one.

In many cases, they've got two. It means that while the car market remains large, it's potential to grow much bigger is limited. The same cannot be said for places such as Russia, China, Brazil and other emerging markets, where car ownership is becoming a realistic proposition for more people and the potential for growth, and profit, is far larger. You can't blame the leading car manufacturers for trying to ca sh in, but might the cars they design for sale in these areas also be worthy of consideration by UK customers in search of a bargain? Dacia's Duster 4x4 is one such vehicle that's looking to gain a foothold on these shores. Power for the Duster comes from Renault's 1.5-litre diesel engines or its 1.6-litre 16- valve petrol alternative. These units have been widely used in Renault products over the years and should be more than adequate for a budget 4x4. The 1.5-litre oil-burners come in 85bhp or 105bhp guises or there's the option of 110bhp from the 1.6. Unlike many of the smaller 4x4s available to UK buyers, the Duster is designed with off-road travel very much in mind. The priority for lots of manufacturers designing cars for western European markets is to maximise comfort and handling on Tarmac, but the Duster's world car remit means it had to be set-up to cope with the unmade roads and difficult terrain it might encounter in far-away lands. It's comparatively lightweight, at 1,280kg in 4x4 guise and 1,180kg as a 4x2 model, and there's generous ground clearance of more than 200mm on all models. You wouldn't instantly finger the Duster as a budget Romanian model, which is half the battle won as far as its designers are concerned. The straightforward chunkiness of a compact 4x4 is an easier thing to pull off credibly than the more nuanced lines of a supermini or family hatchback and the Duster will have to go down as one of the brand's most convincing styling efforts to date. 4x4 fans can tick off the flared wheelarches, prominent bumpers and roof rails and may even be reminded of Nissan's Pathfinder and X-Trail models by the Duster's side and rear views.