Renault recently announced it’s developing an all-new generation of its low-cost crossover for the European market. The 2024 Dacia Duster will debut next year. It will be based on a brand new platform and has already been spied undergoing testing.
The all-new Duster III will bring several substantial upgrades over its predecessor, which came out in 2018 with two subsequent refreshes. This is possible because Dacia will develop this vehicle using the CMF-B platform.
As the name suggests, the CMF-B is designed with B-segment vehicles in mind, basically superminis and subcompacts. These can be as small as the Renault Clio. However, the Duster III will be much closer in proportions and engineering to the Renault Arkana.
We believe the Duster will grow in size slightly, making it even more practical and thus better value. The outgoing model measures 4.32 meters long or 170 inches, and two or three inches can be added. Dacia is also preparing an even larger crossover, the 2025 Bigster, which is around 4.6 meters or 181 inches long.
First Dacia Hybrid
Simplicity has always been the key to Dacia’s success. However, the 2024 Duster will need to add a true hybrid powertrain to keep overall emissions within the limits set by the EU. That’s in addition to the normal powertrain, which can be mild hybrids.
By using the CMF-B platform, the 2024 Duster gains access to a hybrid powertrain that has already been developed. The Jogger, which is a van-crossover mix, has already been converted to a hybrid drive using a 1.6-liter electric motor combo that delivers 140 horsepower. Similar systems are installed on other CMF-B crossovers, such as the Arkana and Captur.
Renault has an even more expensive plug-in hybrid drive with 160 hp, with a 9.8 kWh (usable) battery offering up to 50 km (31 miles) of range. Even though it’s very expensive, this is viable for the Duster because the car has built a reputation for itself.
The rest of the range will be made up of the 1.0 and 1.3-liter TCe turbocharged motors with 4×4 and auto gearboxes available on higher grades. Of course, other emerging markets might still have simper engines, like a 1.5L in India or 2.0L in Brazil. The Duster is sold all over the world, usually as a Renault or Nissan.
2024 Duster design
These renderings courtesy of Kolesa provide an early glimpse into the design of the Duster III. They’re based on spy photos that are only a few days old. And although nobody has seen the car without camo, we’re confident this is what it looks like.
This is because most of the design has already been previewed by the concept for the Bigster, and the features at the front are easy to pick out. The 2024 Duster has the new X-shaped badge in the middle of a narrow grille and some Evoque-like vents on the bumper. The LED headlights and taillights are a very nice tough, not to mention an upgrade.
The prototype caught testing in Spain last week had two very clear features. It came with 17-inch wheels wrapped in 215/65 R17 tires and there were disc brakes at the back. People are excited about that. So Volkswagen is putting cheap drum brakes on its cars while Dacia moves upmarket? The world has gone crazy.
Also, the door handles were hidden in the pillars for the back doors. A smart look, but can the kids rich them?