Dacia Duster in Morocco's Rallye Aicha des Gazelles

Although the standard version is yet to go on sale, Dacia's Duster is already a significant presence in motorsport, as specially-tuned vehicles took part in multiple competitions around the world. After Trophee Andros, another off-road challenge will see the Duster in action.

We're talking about the 20th anniversary Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in Morocco (March 15-28) that will test the Duster's abilities on the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert and the mountainous terrain of the Atlas foothills.

There will be two Dacia Duster crews on the 2010 Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, as follows: driver Isabelle Charles and co-driver Dounia Bennani and driver Nathalie Descout and co-driver Dorothee Topin.

"After taking part in this winter's Trophée Andros ice-racing series, Dacia Duster is about to tackle the cocktail of sand dunes and mountainous terrain provided by this year's Rallye Aicha des Gazelles (March 15-28). The event starts in Erfoud and is based on a format of six legs, for a total distance of more than 2,500km through the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert in southern Morocco," Renault said in a press statement.

Otherwise, Dacia is getting ready to debut the Duster in select European markets, with sales expected to begin in a few months. The car is currently on display at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, while production started in December as Dacia wants to be sure that it will be able to honor all orders.

Pricing in Europe will begin at 11,900 Euros for the 4x2 configuration.