Photo: Dacia
Dacia has finally announced the arrival of an automatic gearbox for its European models, something many customers have been demanding. The transmission will be available for the Logan, Logan MCV, Sandero and Sandero Stepway following the debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The transmission is called Easy-R and is technically not an automatic, but an automated manual. Basically, it's like your normal 5-speed, but a robot engages the clutch and changes gears in your place.
Four different models will be available with Dacia's first-ever auto, the Logan, Logan MCV, Sandero and Sandero Stepway. We appreciate Dacia's thoughtfulness to target so many models, but the Duster is still missing this crucial feature. Considering it's the most expensive model in the range, we consider this an oversight.
There's another piece of bad news, as you can't have Easy-R with any diesel engine. The single petrol engine offered with the auto is the TCe 90, a popular 0.9-liter with only three cylinders and a turbocharger. Output remains the same at 90 PS (66 kW) and 140 Nm (103 lb-ft), while the average fuel consumption of 4.9 liters per 100 km seems reasonable.
Dacia chose the automated manual gearbox because it's cheaper than a conventional automatic. We won't have pricing information until Frankfurt, but expect to pay around €600 more than the manual, which we think is quite affordable. The Easy-R gearbox will also come with a "Manual" mode to allow you to change gears yourself, which is a useful feature when dealing with a hill, tricky traffic or snow conditions.
Dacia also says that its models now comply with the Euro 6 emissions standards and the engines are fitted with stop-start. It really is amazing to think how far the brand that made the 1310 has come.
Also poised to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year is the new Duster Edition 2016 model. It embellishes our favorite affordable crossover with black diamond-effect 16-inch alloy wheels and a shade of paint called Altai Green.
Four different models will be available with Dacia's first-ever auto, the Logan, Logan MCV, Sandero and Sandero Stepway. We appreciate Dacia's thoughtfulness to target so many models, but the Duster is still missing this crucial feature. Considering it's the most expensive model in the range, we consider this an oversight.
There's another piece of bad news, as you can't have Easy-R with any diesel engine. The single petrol engine offered with the auto is the TCe 90, a popular 0.9-liter with only three cylinders and a turbocharger. Output remains the same at 90 PS (66 kW) and 140 Nm (103 lb-ft), while the average fuel consumption of 4.9 liters per 100 km seems reasonable.
Dacia chose the automated manual gearbox because it's cheaper than a conventional automatic. We won't have pricing information until Frankfurt, but expect to pay around €600 more than the manual, which we think is quite affordable. The Easy-R gearbox will also come with a "Manual" mode to allow you to change gears yourself, which is a useful feature when dealing with a hill, tricky traffic or snow conditions.
Dacia also says that its models now comply with the Euro 6 emissions standards and the engines are fitted with stop-start. It really is amazing to think how far the brand that made the 1310 has come.
Also poised to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year is the new Duster Edition 2016 model. It embellishes our favorite affordable crossover with black diamond-effect 16-inch alloy wheels and a shade of paint called Altai Green.
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