Renault took a separate stand at the CV Show to promote the first commercial product from its factory-owned budget brand Dacia.
The Duster Commercial is powered by a 1.5-litre 107hp dCi 110 diesel engine and comes in two trim levels: Ambiance and Laureate and in 4×2 and 4×4 drive formats. Andy Heiron, Dacia brand manager, said 4x2s will take two thirds of sales.
Official economy figures are 56.5mpg with CO2 of 130g/km for the 4×2, and 54.3mpg and 137g/ km for the 4×4. Prices for the four- model line-up go from £9595 to £12,545, excluding VAT.
The 4×2 has a load volume of 1.15m3 while the 4×4’s capacity drops to 1.0m3. Both have a payload of 550kg, a flat cargo deck stretching to 1400mm, and 1000mm between the arches.
In terms of its price and specification, Heiron told What Van? the Duster Commercial will compete with the Ssangyong Korando CS and used examples of soft-road models such as the Mitsubishi ASX 4Work.
He admitted sales will be in “the hundreds rather than the thousands” for the vehicle that he describes as a “half-tonne toolbox”, but claims it will appeal to local businesses, while the all- wheel drive availability will open it up to landscape gardeners, ground maintenance staff, farmers and forestry, power and communications companies. Heiron added that there are 150 Dacia dealerships in the UK.
Standard kit on all models includes roof bars, a chrome grille, a toughened plastic floor with two anchorage points, electric front windows, a four-speaker radio/ CD player with MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth, aux and USB sockets, aBS with emergency brake assist, electronic stability control and traction control, and four airbags. The Dacia Duster Commercial goes on sale in June.
