J
James Brodie
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Dacia is planning to reveal three new models by 2025, with the first coming next year in the form of a bigger brother for the Duster SUV, called Bigster. The new car will catapult the budget brand into a more lucrative market, but it will still deliver on the brand’s core principle of catering to budget-conscious new-car buyers.
It’s also part of an important rebranding exercise for the firm, which has recently been incorporated into a new business structure within the Renault Group. The Bigster will be one of the first Dacias to wear the brand’s new, more minimalist badging, which it says is part of a drive to bring “a touch of coolness” to the marque’s image.
Dacia’s parent firm Renault is launching a product offensive in the family hatchback and mid-size SUV classes, and the Bigster will live up to its name by playing a key role in this new family car push.
Central to this product drive is a new platform strategy, with every Dacia now set to use the same CMF-B underpinnings. The brand’s new Sandero is already based on this platform, which will become a one-size-fits-all solution for Dacia, stretching it to its limits in terms of size for the Bigster, and enabling the company to enter larger vehicle segments at a still-affordable price.
The Bigster was presented in concept form at the start of the year, and our exclusive images preview how the production version could look when it’s revealed in 2022. Dacia has confirmed that the Bigster measures 4.6 metres long, which is about the same as a Land Rover Discovery Sport and larger than popular sellers like the VW Tiguan.
Dacia badge
Dacia Bigster - rear
Dacia Bigster - rear (watermarked)
Dacia Bigster - rear
Dacia Bigster - grille
Dacia Bigster - window
Dacia Bigster - front
Dacia logo
Dacia Bigster - front (watermarked)
However, Dacia has teased that the Bigster will be priced in line with vehicles from the segment below – think more T-Roc than Tiguan – with a starting price expected from around £20,000.
A spacious interior has been promised, but whether or not Dacia plans to offer a seven- seater remains unknown. The brand will certainly cater to buyers needing more space with other new offerings.
The CMF-B platform gives Dacia access to a wide range of powertrains for the Bigster. Given the model’s size, it’s unlikely to be offered with the naturally aspirated SCe 65 option offered in the very cheapest Sandero, and the line-up will likely start with the turbocharged TCe 90. More powerful engines could be sourced from the Captur, with its more powerful 1.3-litre four-cylinder TCe 130 unit, developing 128bhp.
Dacia has also hinted that the Bigster will be available with a BiFuel petrol/LPG drivetrain like the smaller Sandero, but the introduction of hybrid powertrains to Dacia’s line-up is another focus for the Bigster. Options include the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain in the Clio E-Tech, developing 138bhp.
Renault has also confirmed that a new hybrid drivetrain designed with SUVs in mind is in development for 2022. This uses a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and can develop up to 200bhp.
What do you think of the new Dacia Bigster? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...
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It’s also part of an important rebranding exercise for the firm, which has recently been incorporated into a new business structure within the Renault Group. The Bigster will be one of the first Dacias to wear the brand’s new, more minimalist badging, which it says is part of a drive to bring “a touch of coolness” to the marque’s image.
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Dacia’s parent firm Renault is launching a product offensive in the family hatchback and mid-size SUV classes, and the Bigster will live up to its name by playing a key role in this new family car push.
Central to this product drive is a new platform strategy, with every Dacia now set to use the same CMF-B underpinnings. The brand’s new Sandero is already based on this platform, which will become a one-size-fits-all solution for Dacia, stretching it to its limits in terms of size for the Bigster, and enabling the company to enter larger vehicle segments at a still-affordable price.
The Bigster was presented in concept form at the start of the year, and our exclusive images preview how the production version could look when it’s revealed in 2022. Dacia has confirmed that the Bigster measures 4.6 metres long, which is about the same as a Land Rover Discovery Sport and larger than popular sellers like the VW Tiguan.
Dacia badge
Dacia Bigster - rear
Dacia Bigster - rear (watermarked)
Dacia Bigster - rear
Dacia Bigster - grille
Dacia Bigster - window
Dacia Bigster - front
Dacia logo
Dacia Bigster - front (watermarked)
However, Dacia has teased that the Bigster will be priced in line with vehicles from the segment below – think more T-Roc than Tiguan – with a starting price expected from around £20,000.
A spacious interior has been promised, but whether or not Dacia plans to offer a seven- seater remains unknown. The brand will certainly cater to buyers needing more space with other new offerings.
The CMF-B platform gives Dacia access to a wide range of powertrains for the Bigster. Given the model’s size, it’s unlikely to be offered with the naturally aspirated SCe 65 option offered in the very cheapest Sandero, and the line-up will likely start with the turbocharged TCe 90. More powerful engines could be sourced from the Captur, with its more powerful 1.3-litre four-cylinder TCe 130 unit, developing 128bhp.
Dacia has also hinted that the Bigster will be available with a BiFuel petrol/LPG drivetrain like the smaller Sandero, but the introduction of hybrid powertrains to Dacia’s line-up is another focus for the Bigster. Options include the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain in the Clio E-Tech, developing 138bhp.
Renault has also confirmed that a new hybrid drivetrain designed with SUVs in mind is in development for 2022. This uses a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and can develop up to 200bhp.
What do you think of the new Dacia Bigster? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...
Continue reading...