The Dacia Duster has finally received the newer and more powerful version of Renault’s naturally aspirated 1,6-liter engine that is also EU6-compliant, along with all other available power plants.
The peak figure rises from 105 hp to 115 hp, while CO2 emissions fall by as much as 30 g/km and economy improves by 6.2 mpg to 41.5 mpg in front-wheel drive trim.
In the UK, this has resulted in a slight adjustment of prices for the range. In base Access guise, the Duster kicks off at £9,495; if you want all-wheel drive, that bumps it up by £2,000.
Performance for the Duster with the newer 1.6-liter is not stellar, but it is better: 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) is dispatched in 11 seconds dead (.5 seconds faster) for FWD cars and 12 seconds dead for the AWD (.8 seconds faster than before).
The sole transmission available for this engine is the same six-speed manual with the unusually short first gear which is meant to compensate for the lack of a low range. It comes with start-stop as standard.
But along with the petrol, Dacia has also upped the EU emissions standard to EU6 for the diesel power plant as well. This in turn lowers consumption and emissions for all versions: 7.7 mpg more for FWD models (now 64.2 mpg) and 6.8 mpg for AWD models (now 60.1 mpg).
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