The latest Dacia Duster and Bigster will be obtainable with a new hybrid system called hybrid-G 150 4x4 before the end of the year. It uses a dedicated e-motor to drive the rear wheels and can run on petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). All prices are pending.
A 1.2-liter turbocharged engine unites its efforts with a 48-volt starter-generator, sending 140 PS (138 hp / 103 kW) and 230 Nm (170 lb-ft) to the front axle. A separate e-motor at the back contributes 31 PS (31 hp / 23 kW) and 87 Nm (64 lb-ft) of its own. The combined output comes to 154 PS (152 hp / 113 kW), Dacia claims.
The six-speed dual-clutch transmission stays the same, but drivers may now use paddle shifters under the steering wheel – something the Romanian carmaker has never offered before. The rear motor uses a two-speed reducer and remains operational until 140 km/h (87 mph). Should you want to save power – for example, when cruising on the highway – you can always manually turn off the motor, switching the car to front-wheel drive. Six presets are provided for different scenarios, including Sand, Dirt and Descent Assist.
The battery pack is tiny and stores 0.84 kWh of energy. Despite its size, Dacia claims owners can go all-electric up to 60% of the time during short urban trips. As one would expect, the battery only supports automatic charging. Twin 50-liter gas tanks on board are used for petrol and LPG. With both maxed, the range hits a cool 1,500 km (932 miles).
In related news, Dacia has revised the engine lineup of the latest Duster, ditching the old 140-PS (138-hp / 103-kW) hybrid system. The CUV now uses the same 155-PS (153-hp / 114-kW) powertrain as the Bigster.
