No 7-Seat Option For New Duster, Says Dacia Executive

There have been some reports claiming that the new generation Dacia Duster would gain a seven-seat version.

However, it seems that the Romanian automaker has no plans of offering such a model, as the brand’s Sales and Marketing Director, Francois Mariotte, revealed during a recent ceremony at the Tangier, Morocco plant, reports AutoExpress.

“The priority when renewing the Duster is to keep all the strengths of the actual model, and one part of this is the chassis or the platform. When you want to transform a car that is a five-seater from a seven-seater, there is no way – you will lose the compactness and the 4×4 capabilities of the car. I know there is a lot of noise going around about a seven-seater of the Duster. But it’s not on the plan. You can forget it.”

Besides dismissing the so-called ”Grand” Duster, the official also confirmed the new generation’s public debut for the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The 2018 Duster is expected to use a reworked version of the platform that underpins the current model and to carry over most of its engine lineup. However, expect it’s believed that a new diesel unit, namely Renault’s 1.6-liter dCi, will make its way into the budget SUV.

As usual, lesser models will be offered with front-wheel drive, as the all-wheel drive system will be reserved for more expensive grades.

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