What's the news?
Dacia is introducing both a new turbo petrol engine for the Duster range, and a new TechRoad high-spec trim for the whole Dacia range, as we roll towards the 192 registration period.
The TCe 130 petrol engine is new to the Duster, and to Dacia in general, and it's actually the most powerful engine ever offered in Dacia's affordable crossover (some 21,000 of which have found homes in Ireland since 2012).
In fact (and this will be a good fact to throw at anyone cocking a snobby snook at your new Dacia) it's actually the same engine you'd find in the petrol versions of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, so how's that for snob value? It's a 1.33-litre, four-cylinder turbo, developing 130hp (hence the name) and a diesel-like 240Nm of torque. Fuel economy is a claimed 6.0 litres per 100km (47mpg) and emissions work out at 139g/km, so it just squeezes under the Band B2 limit (€280).
For now, the TCe 130 engine will only be available in the top-spec Duster, the new TechRoad version which costs from €23,040 (quite the climb from the Duster's base price of €17,390). TechRoad equipment includes a touch-screen sat-nav system with built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a reversing camera. You also get updated interior trims and some new colour choices - Fusion Red and Highland Grey.
TechRoad trim is also available on the Sandero, Sandero Stepway, and Logan MCV models, with prices starting from €16,440 (again, a basic Sandero is just €10,990).
As well as all of that, Dacia is offering 192 buyers the option of buying their car with zero deposit finance, on a 4.9 per cent APR package. From the 13th to the 15th of June, Dacia will be celebrating its seventh birthday on the Irish market, and there will be extra discounts and special offers available then, you can bet. You can get a Dacia for a 24-hour test drive if you fancy, and that zero deposit offer is valid through to the 21st of July.