Photo: Dacia
Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010, the Duster was redesigned in 2017 although the platform is similar to the first generation. And over the years, the Romanian utility vehicle has leveled up from the status of underdog to the second best-selling model after the Sandero.
France, which is the domestic market of the Renault mothership, is particularly interested in the Duster. As a “thank you” for the year-over-year sales increase, Dacia decided to treat prospective customers with a limited edition of the crossover. Black Collector is how it’s called, and no more than 500 will be made in a single configuration.
The “stylish adventurer” combines the 1.3 TCe turbo four-cylinder engine with 130 horsepower and front-wheel drive, and each car features a numbered door sill to highlight the limited production. Black metallic paint, floor mats, and a Focal audio system are included, along with a hands-free card instead of a key fob, multi-view camera, touchscreen infotainment, and the most popular smartphone mirroring apps for in-car entertainment.
In a first for the Romanian brand, reservations for the Black Collector will be exclusively only. As if those weren’t enough, automatic climate control is also included in the price. Dacia will announce how much it costs closer to September, but given the list of equipment that comes standard, we’re inclined to believe this special edition is €18,000 and change.
If our intuition is correct, then the Black Collector would be slotted between the range-topping Prestige trim level (€17,150) and Techroad limited edition (€18,950). Even at that price point, the Duster is a lot of car for the money. Looking at the bigger picture, value for money is the guiding principle of Dacia ever since Renault took control of the Romanian brand.
Registrations of new Dacia vehicles in France recorded a 19.1 percent improvement in 2018, totaling 140,326 units as opposed to 117,865 in the previous year. Renault, by comparison, posted a 2.5 percent increase.
The “stylish adventurer” combines the 1.3 TCe turbo four-cylinder engine with 130 horsepower and front-wheel drive, and each car features a numbered door sill to highlight the limited production. Black metallic paint, floor mats, and a Focal audio system are included, along with a hands-free card instead of a key fob, multi-view camera, touchscreen infotainment, and the most popular smartphone mirroring apps for in-car entertainment.
In a first for the Romanian brand, reservations for the Black Collector will be exclusively only. As if those weren’t enough, automatic climate control is also included in the price. Dacia will announce how much it costs closer to September, but given the list of equipment that comes standard, we’re inclined to believe this special edition is €18,000 and change.
If our intuition is correct, then the Black Collector would be slotted between the range-topping Prestige trim level (€17,150) and Techroad limited edition (€18,950). Even at that price point, the Duster is a lot of car for the money. Looking at the bigger picture, value for money is the guiding principle of Dacia ever since Renault took control of the Romanian brand.
Registrations of new Dacia vehicles in France recorded a 19.1 percent improvement in 2018, totaling 140,326 units as opposed to 117,865 in the previous year. Renault, by comparison, posted a 2.5 percent increase.
Google News