Dacia continues to grow, literally and figuratively. The Romanian brand, in a strong progression in recent years in the Renault group, is about to launch the largest vehicle in its range: The Bigster.
A family SUV that can compete with competitors in a very popular category in Europe, that of the SVs of segment C, with Peugeot 3008, Renault Austral, Citroën C5 Aircross, Ford Kuga or Hyundai Tucson.
A bigger big?
This older occupies many elements of the last duster, starting with its technical base. An extended platform that allows it to show a length of 4.57 meters, 23 centimeters more than its grandson in the range.
Enough to benefit from an additional space in the trunk, which offers up to 667 liters, in the two -wheeled gas version (150 liters more than in the equivalent duster).
In our trial version, in “Hybrid 155”, the volume remains quite substantial, at 612 liters or 182 liters more than that of Duster in “Hybrid 140”.
The opportunity also to address unprecedented equipment in Dacia in this largest, with an electric back gate for the first time. A particularly lightened rear gate to have to use only one electric cylinder, against two. One way to offer more while maintaining controlled costs.
It is not a 7 high version, in this largest. It is towards the Dacia corridor you have to turn.
A better equipped interior than the duster
Inside, there is an environment very close to the present in the last duster, very successful. We will emphasize the differences, with a meter screen that goes from 7 to 10 inches in high level finishes, a large central console with a refrigerated storage tray in our hybrid version and, once again, a first in the configuration of the electric seats for the front driver.
Electrical configuration for seat height and seat inclination. The rear front setting is always performed with a controller, which is also practical to adjust your seat quickly.
On the back, space is a bit more generous. There is also a folding place seat to offer a replacements for passengers, with supports for supports and smartphones.
Finally, we take advantage of a beautiful brightness with the panoramic and opening ceiling (another first in Dacia) and an increase in the window surface compared to the duster.
A rather sober hybrid
We were able to try this new bigster in its “hybrid 155” version, an unprecedented version within the “complete hybrid” renault group (complete hybrid “(non -rechargeable hybrid) now known). An evolution of the” hybrid 140 “block of the plume that goes from a displacement of 1.6 to 1.8 liters.
Ultimately, this power gain, 140 to 155 horsepower, therefore, does not really feel. The largest is larger and, therefore, heavier, which erases the asset of having a slightly more powerful engine.
The sensation remains quite close in driving sensations, with a good suspension adjustment to make a sufficient and comfortable vehicle and a very suitable motorization. The E-Tech engine is sometimes looking for the correct relationship with this slightly handmade automatic box such as the continuous variation boxes found in Toyota. In some situations, the Mouline motor to find the correct report, Ash 70 km/h, for example. The thrust remains guaranteed, but with great noise, which contrasts strongly with the much more hybrid driving phases.
The electrical part, with a very small battery of very small size (1.6 kWh), allows the heat engine well to be supported and often offers 100% electric driving phases at a stabilized speed, for example. In a very appreciable silence. And, above all, the contract seems to be completed with a consumption of 5 liters per 100 kilometers in our test of just over 300 kilometers in a mixed, fast and small roads with a little relief in Provence.
This largest hybrid can tow up to 1 ton, against 750 kg for Duster hybrid. The other engines in this duster (Eco-G, 2×4 gasoline and 4×4 micro hybrids) take this capacity to 1.5 tons.
Finally, a very important point for driving comfort: the arrival of an adaptive regulator. Alternative is offered to a limiter, but there is no “simple” regulator.
Another strangeness: the largest has no Self -Hold, this function that keeps the vehicle stopped, which allows you to drop your brake and accelerate to leave. For example, the most frustrating as the adaptive regulator allows this “corks mode” with a vehicle that stops and leaves, without intervening on the pedals, in case of a short stop during a accordion circulation, for example.
Dacia is no longer “low cost”, but …
Dacia has been claiming it for some time, he no longer wants to be qualified as a “low cost” mark. A repositioning towards “the essential”, to be understood as a desire to offer the best commitment to competition … but more cheaper as possible as the cheapest as Logan’s pioneer. More screen of the needle meters offered, for example, in this largest, even in the entrance level version. Which was still the case in the duster.
However, prices are aggressive compared to the competitors of the C-SUV segment with an initial price of just under 25,000 euros (TCE140 with a micro hybridization 48V).
Our version “Hybrid 155” begins at 29,700 euros, but prices fly with the addition of equipment. The highest end of the extreme end and the day begins 31,700 euros
Not to mention the options: the particularly appreciated sunroof but is invoiced at 850 euros, a winter package (windshield seats and steering wheel with heating) to 500 euros, a multiple camera parking package at 490 euros or a shark antenna to 195 euros.
We add a good color to 650 euros to escape the “offered” white and a biton effect with the black roof to 150 euros. Enough to approach 35,000 euros in our largest. A rate of rate once rather located compared to competitors, but only unthinkable a few years ago in Dacia.
Source: BFM TV
