New Dacia MPV Could Be Called the Popster

Dacia, the Romanian carmaker, might be hiding a full house when it comes to its new models. According to recent reports, two new models might be rolling out in 2012. One of them will be a small family car, while the other could be a pickup commercial vehicle comparable in size to the Renault Kangoo. Both will be based on the Logan platform, used on all the carmaker's models.

The French publication Automobile Magazine may have stumbled onto details regarding the upcoming Romanian cars, which could enter production as early as next year. According to them, the compact MPV (codenamed the J92} will be 4.5 meters long and will accommodate up to seven people at a time. Once it hits the market, the car will be known as Dacia Popster.

Pricing for the MPV is expected to be in the region of €14,800 on the European market, making it about €6,000 cheaper than the entry-level Renault Scenic, which has sliding rear doors.

This modest price tag was probably achieved through a simplified construction and development of the car. Its construction could prove a bit more conventional, with its third side window squeezed in behind the C-pillar an conventional swing doors all-round.

Expect the new Dacia MPV to arrive powered by small-capacity four-cylinder engines, in both petrol and diesel form. Although the base model should have a manual gearbox as standard, an automatic transmission is also in the cards.

The car has already been shown to a panel of potential customers, which is why this valuable information has become available.