Are you happy?
Many people in the automotive industry know that Dacia can mean many things. Some people think it is the home of Top Gear’s good news bit, while others see it as an automaker that makes reliable and honest cars for the masses. The Romanian automaker plans a new model, regardless of your position.
Marc Suss is the boss of Dacia products. He knows that multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) are not as popular as they once were. The Lodgy, a Dacia minivan dating back to 2012, is being displaced by the SUV.
The new 7-seater concept is a great example of a company that values simple, reliable vehicles. It will not only be the first Dacia hybrid but it will also use the Sandero’s underpinnings. It comes with a new powerplant and a multitude of safety features, including blind-spot detectors and hill start assistance, automatic emergency brake, blind-spot detection, and an electric parking brake.
A 1.6-liter hybrid powerplant will provide 140 horsepower (104.3 kilowatts) under the hood. The Renault Clio engine has a proven track record of reliability. However, the engine will be equipped with a simpler hybrid system to lower costs. It won’t be able recover energy while braking. It’s also significant news that Dacia won’t offer a diesel option, despite being the first to venture into hybrid vehicles.
It’s refreshing to see Romanian automaker retaining their simple ethos as they prepare to launch one of the most advanced vehicles in their history. It is expected to make its debut in mid-2021. We will be watching to see how it does when it arrives at the showroom.