Photo: DaciaOLtcitAro
Since discontinuing the Logan Pick-up a few years ago, the Romanian budget brand Dacia has gone without a sold workhorse. But a recent sighting from the East European country's back roads suggests that's about to change.
We're looking at a pre-production prototype for the first-ever Duster Pick-up model and we assure you this isn't photoshoped. It's a 2-door model that's kept most of its body panels and ditched the whole passenger cell from the B-pillars back.
Although the small truck has adopted unpainted bumpers, which are cheaper to make, it retained the chrome front grille of a Duster facelift. The fact that it looks production-ready indicates the official debut will take place at the Paris Motor Show, home turf for parent company Renault.
Recent reports coming from Brazil state the Duster Pick-up will be sold there as well in early 2015. Other emerging markets like India and South Africa could soon follow, but it's not all good news for the Dacia brand. The main factory in Romania is running at full capacity and will not be able to assemble another model.
Both 2WD and 4WD versions will be offered, with engine choices likely to remain the same as on the the normal-bodied crossovers. Brazilian Dusters will have not have dCi diesels, instead offering two four-cylinder engines that run on compressed natural gas.
Instead, Renault will assemble the Duster Pick-up in Morocco, on the same assembly line as the Dokker van range. The factory there is located near a major port, which makes shipping to France and big Mediterranean markets easier. As for RHD models coming to Britain, we wouldn't get our hopes up. UK consumers receive their crossovers from India, not Romania, which means they haven't even received the facelift yet. So pick-ups are pretty much out of the question.
Photo source: DaciaOltcitAro
Although the small truck has adopted unpainted bumpers, which are cheaper to make, it retained the chrome front grille of a Duster facelift. The fact that it looks production-ready indicates the official debut will take place at the Paris Motor Show, home turf for parent company Renault.
Recent reports coming from Brazil state the Duster Pick-up will be sold there as well in early 2015. Other emerging markets like India and South Africa could soon follow, but it's not all good news for the Dacia brand. The main factory in Romania is running at full capacity and will not be able to assemble another model.
Both 2WD and 4WD versions will be offered, with engine choices likely to remain the same as on the the normal-bodied crossovers. Brazilian Dusters will have not have dCi diesels, instead offering two four-cylinder engines that run on compressed natural gas.
Instead, Renault will assemble the Duster Pick-up in Morocco, on the same assembly line as the Dokker van range. The factory there is located near a major port, which makes shipping to France and big Mediterranean markets easier. As for RHD models coming to Britain, we wouldn't get our hopes up. UK consumers receive their crossovers from India, not Romania, which means they haven't even received the facelift yet. So pick-ups are pretty much out of the question.
Photo source: DaciaOltcitAro
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