Dacia Duster Soul Of Dakar Concept Could Inspire Future Special Edition Models

Dacia has introduced the Duster Soul Of Dakar, a special build celebrating the company’s participation at the grueling rally. The SUV was presented as a one-off with a rally-inspired livery and a few accessories. Better yet, there is a chance it will inspire a future range of Dakar-themed special editions.

The Soul of Dakar was shown last week in Milan, Italy, as part of a local event. The livery looks similar to the Dacia Sandrider prototype that’s set to compete at the 2025 Dakar.

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Besides the fancy wrap, the Soul of Dakar is equipped with accessories from the Dacia InNature collection, which are optionally available for the regular Duster. The roof rack carries a waterproof bag, a cargo box, and a shovel, allowing occupants to tackle more difficult terrains.

Inside, the YouClip accessory mounts are scattered around the cabin, including bag hooks and holders for smartphones, tablets, and drinks. Unfortunately, that’s the full list of modifications, although a different set of wheels or a lifted suspension could make the SUV look even cooler.

Dacia Duster Soul Of Dakar

The one-off is based on the Dacia Duster 1.2 TCe 130 4×4 and does not feature any mechanical upgrades. The mild-hybrid 1.2-liter powertrain generates 128 hp (96 kW / 130 PS) and is exclusively mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. While most Duster trims are front-wheel-drive, this version comes equipped with an electronic all-wheel-drive system.

Dakar-Themed Specials Under Consideration

While the concept sounds like a fancy way of advertising Dacia’s motorsport involvement, Autocar reports it could spawn a series of special editions based on Dacia’s current lineup.

This is based on earlier comments made by Dacia CEO, Denis Le Vot, who stated: “Maybe we can use a taste and feel of the Dakar car on some limited series or whatever, but we will see”. The CEO thinks that the famous Dakar Rally is “close to the image” that Dacia wants to project, and believes that the program could draw new customers to the brand.

In reality, adding a wrap, a few accessories, and special badges to an existing production model doesn’t require a big investment. At the same time, these “limited production” series would serve as a free advertisement for Dacia on the roads, letting people know it has a Dakar team. As for which models could benefit from the special treatment, the Duster and the Bigster SUVs are the most probable contestants.

High Expectations

Despite being a newcomer, Dacia is “aiming for victory” at the 2025 Dakar. The Romanian automaker’s entry is run by Prodrive, with WRC legend Sebastien Loeb and five-time Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah sitting behind the wheel of the Sandrider.

The Sandrider prototype is unrelated to Dacia’s production models, as its carbon fiber body sits on a bespoke tubular chassis. The rally-raid monster is fitted with a mid-mounted twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 from Nissan, which is good for 355 hp (265 kW / 360 PS) and runs on synthetic fuel.

Dacia Sandrider