New Dacia Duster gets Cargo van version

Dacia has unveiled a new addition to its line-up with the arrival of the Dacia Duster Cargo. It's a van-like variant of its popular Duster SUV, which has been done before, but there's been a subtle name change.

Previously the light commercial vehicle version of the Duster was known as the Dacia Duster Commercial, but after a quick rebrand the newest Duster will henceforth be known as the Dacia Duster Cargo.

Dacia has expanded its vehicle lineup with the introduction of the Duster Cargo targeting businesses that require a hard-working vehicle at a very competitive price.

Prices will start at just £22,995 (excluding VAT) with order books already open.

For your money you get a full factory conversion, transforming the Duster SUV into a Duster Cargo bu replacing the rear seats of the standard Duster with a flat load floor, mesh bulkhead, and four lashing points.

The Dacia Duster Cargo also gets a full-length, removable load cover to help shield contents from view and has had opaque film applied to the fixed rear windows.

In terms of practicality, the Duster Cargo gets up to 1,149 litres of useful space and can handle a payload of up to 430kg. The Dacia Duster Cargo dimensions remain unchanged from the passenger car version.

In terms of numbers it's not too far off the Renault 4 dimensions which has a near 1m3 loadspace and up to 370kg of payload. Unlike the Dacia Cargo, however, the Renault 4 commercial version is an electric van.

Instead, the Duster Cargo gets a choice of two hybrid petrol powertrains. There is a mild hybrid 130 coupled with a 4x4 transmission, or a newly launched hybrid 155, which focuses on efficiency.

The latter, more efficient models uses a hybrid system combined with a 109hp petrol engine with two electric motors and a 1.4kWh battery. It means that the Duster can start in all-electric mode. Dacia, however, hasn't said just how much battery range it will get.

The mild hybrid 130 combines uses a 1.2 litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 48V motor which helps the combustion engine when starting off or accelerating. This is said to help to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by aronud 10%.

As an all-wheel-drive SUV, the Duster Cargo is capable of some light off-roading and has a 217mm ground clearance.

There's also a 4x4 Terrain Control system, which offers a choice of five modes to match various driving conditions, and for step descents, there's Adaptive Hill Descent Control.

Dacia has kept things simple by offering the Duster Cargo with only the Expression trim level.

Standard on the Duster Cargo will include 17-inch alloy wheels and body-coloured door handles, a 7-inch digital driver display and a 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety and driver assistance systems include include six airbags, cruise control with speed limiter, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera. Lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking all of which are also standard.

The Duster Cargo will be available in three exterior colours, Glacier White, Pearl Black, and Shadow Grey.

First customer deliveries are expected before the end of the year.