03 Mar 09 15:16
Anyone remember the Dacia Duster? This Romanian 4x4, a Renault-engined collaboration with ARO, was sold in the UK 1985-93 though it remained on sale in Eastern Europe under the ARO brand-name.
Dacia - now wholly-owned by Renault - has revived the Duster name for an all-new concept, which is more of a modern-day crossover.
This new-age Duster, created by Renault Design Central Europe's studio in Bucharest in partnership with the main Renault Design Technocentre in Guyancourt, is a sporty, coupe-MPV-SUV blend with a rear-hinged rear door on the passenger side and a single front door on the driver's.
It is relatively low-riding, at 1.49m tall, and compact (4.25m long, 1.64m wide) with a long 2.8m wheelbase, and it sits on 21" alloy wheels. Power comes from Renault's 1.5dCi diesel engine (105bhp) with particulate filter, which returns 53.3mpg and emits just 139g/km of carbon dioxide.
The clever bit's its cabin layout. While it can seat four in comfort, the space can also be configured for a van-style load-space; the front passenger seat can be slid right underneath the driver's to create a 2m-long load bay, complete with a recess on the floor and a strap under the dashboard to secure a trials motorbike, for example.
Better yet, a box-type structure with upright tailgate slides out from the boot, creating an extra rear pick-up bed.
The cabin is finished in chocolate brown and blue, with a full-length glass roof and one-piece structure for the driver's seat and console; there is a large central display screen and a 20-litre glovebox plus in-dash storage.
Check out the rest of our Geneva Motor Show coverage.
