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This here commercial for Dacia's low-cost Duster SUV is the work of Dutch advertising company Artcore. We should warn you that the ad is a 1 minute and 46 second parade of almost continuous swearing. While we can appreciate some over-the-top creations, we just can’t see this ever airing, at least not during daytime hours. But even if the commercial somehow made it on your TV set, we doubt that this is what Dacia wants to promote.
The commercial has been labeled as “banned” by various internet sources, but it seems to have been produced to showcase a radical idea, rather than to be purpose driven advertisement. The foul-mouthed clip is available right after the break.
By Csaba Daradics
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I don’t know if the word Dacia gives James May that fizzing sensation he often talks about, but the Top Gear host seems pretty fond of the Romanian brand. Same goes for low-budget European buyers who see the Renault-era Dacias as well priced models with affordable maintenance costs. One of the Romanian firm's latest cars, the Duster was even nominated for the 2011 COTY award.
However, the brand's models aren't exactly exciting, even more so when it comes to sheer performance with their mundane, small displacement petrol and diesel engines. But as always, for every problem there's a fix. This man's answer was to ditch the Logan sedan's four-cylinder and throw in a 2.8-liter VR6 Volkswagen engine.
Details surrounding the build are pretty scarce right now, as it’s an ongoing project. The owner says that the powerplant churns out 174 hp (most likely stock) and it’s coupled to a VW transmission. Other upgrades include the suspension and brake system.
By Csaba Daradics
Source: 4Tuning , Thanks for the tip Valentin M.!
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As Renault is continuing to work on Dacia's image, the Duster Ice will once again compete in the Andros Trophy, after finishing in second place last year. Set to be piloted by the legendary Alain Prost, the updated model features a number of evolutions for the new season. The opening round of the ice-racing championship will be held at Val Thorens (France), on the 4th and 5th of December.
Developed by Renault Sport Technologies, the Dacia Duster racecar features a tubular chassis with a lightweight fiberglass body with power coming from a Renault-Nissan-sourced 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 350-horsepower.
The six-cylinder powertrain underwent a few key modifications and churns out an extra 20Nm of torque (15 lb-ft) at 3,000 rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels, through a six-speed sequential gearbox, while the suspension features new shock absorbers better suited for the rough, icy terrain on which the Andros Trophy events are held. For added precision, engineers also modified the electro-hydraulic steering system, which turns all wheels.
Alain Prost commented:
"We are determined to build on what we started last winter. The thinking behind our second year together marks a logical step forward in sporting, technical and brand terms. Last season, we were aware it would be tough to win the Trophée Andros with a new car, not to mention the fact that the programme began at a relatively late stage. Our overriding aim was to take part, try to be competitive and win races, and also win over the public. This time round, my intention is to challenge for the title. We completed two very positive days of testing at Val Thorens last weekend. Our work on Duster has clearly paid dividends and we are convinced we have the means to make a strong start."
Overall, the Romanian brand's image is at an all-time high, as the budget SUV is also a finalist in the 2011 Car of the Year competition.
By Csaba Daradics
Dacia Duster Technical Data
CHASSIS
Tubular steel chassis Double wishbones
ENGINE
Renault-Nissan Alliance-developed Type VQ 30 engine Mid-rear position V6
Valves: 24
Cubic capacity: 2,987cc
Bore x stroke: 93mm x 73.3mm Maximum power: 257kW EEC (350hp) at 7,500rpm
Maximum torque: 360Nm EEC at 5,500rpm
TRANSMISSION
Six-speed SADEV sequential gearbox
BRAKES
Front: 260mm-diameter ventilated steel discs
Rear: 265mm-diameter steel discs
WHEELS AND TIRES
Magnesium, 5.5'' x 16'' Continental Ice Racing Contact 3 tyres
DIMENSIONS / WEIGHT
Length: 4,001mm Width: 1,900mm
Front/rear track: 1,690mm
Wheelbase: 2,500mm
Weight: 950kg
Fuel tank: 25 litres
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There were 41 candidates eligible for the European 2011 Car of the Year (COTY) award, with quite a few big names being mentioned, such as the Audi A7 Sportback and A8, BMW 5-Series and X3, Jaguar XJ and Mercedes Benz CLS. This week, the list was narrowed down to just seven finalists and, as in previous years, some of them weren't really expected to make it this far.
Our summary presents the remaining candidates in alphabetical order, with the winner set to be announced on November 29. We'd really like to know which of the seven cars would get your vote, though, so comment away below.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
No COTY final should be without an Alfa Romeo. The Italian manufacturer builds some of the most beautiful and sexy cars on the planet. For this alone they deserve a nomination. The Giulietta is no exception, as it revives the name of the first mass-produced Alfa. Fortunately, unlike its 1950s predecessor, the modern day Giulietta is a much more reliable and safer car (it has a 5 star EuroNCAP rating), with a wide range of engine choices, of which the 235 hp (175 kW) 1.8-liter turbocharged version really stands out.
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Citroën C3/DS3
Citroën is also known as a design reference, though its creations don't stir as much passion as Alfas. They're more eccentric, weird even, but mostly in a good way. The new C3/DS3 pair continues this trend, albeit with better interiors, more standard equipment and excellent petrol and diesel engines. The panoramic Zenith windscreen deserves special recognition, as it not only looks cool, but it also significantly improves the angle of vision from inside the cabin.
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Dacia Duster
I grew up around Dacias and it's obvious that Renault did a good job revitalizing the Romanian brand, but I wasn't expecting this. Sure, it is the most affordable European SUV, it does have a larger-than-expected interior (and boot), surprisingly good off-road capabilities and decent engines (especially the 85 hp [63 kW] 1.5-liter diesel), but I didn't think its image was strong enough to be a COTY finalist (though it's getting stronger every day). Still, sometimes it's good to be proven wrong.
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Ford C-Max/Grand C-Max
The original C-Max was criticized for not having seven seats. Enter the Grand C-Max, now suitable for 7 passengers thanks to its stretched wheelbase and a foldable third row of seats. This generation of C-Max also showcases Ford's new direct injection, force inducted Ecoboost engines, with ample power (up to 180 hp/134 kW) and torque, plus good fuel efficiency.
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Nissan Leaf
Nissan's EV is quite a technological marvel that's set to get a lot of political backing in the following years, as many governments try to change people's opinions on alternative fuels. With a range of more than a 100 miles (160 km), the Leaf can be used as an everyday car without any major impediments, the 110 hp (80 kW) electric motor being more than up to the task, reviewers say.
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Opel/Vauxhall Meriva
The new Meriva wants to build on its predecessor's success (it was the leader of the small MPV segment), by using a bigger platform for more interior space and increased boot capacity. Access to the cabin has been dramatically improved by the rear "suicide" (or rear-hinged) doors, which also add a stylish note to the Meriva's design. Multiple engine choices are available, with strong, economical diesels taking center stage.
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Volvo S60/V60
The S60 is a truly beautiful car, a tribute to the so-called IKEA design, one that seems to signal Volvo's renaissance (now under Chinese ownership). Contrary to its predecessor, the new model is meant to compete with the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class & Co. Measuring 4.63 meters in length, it easily trumps the Germans and we haven't mentioned yet the V60's even more versatile interior. Younger buyers could be persuaded by the 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 petrol engine, with 304 hp (227 kW) on tap, while the more "mature" public can opt for frugal 4 or 5-cylinder diesel engines. Volvo's excellent safety record is another good point for the S60.
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So, there you have it, the last seven standing gringos. But only one can survive this shootout and if you're asking for my take, that would be the Alfa Romeo. I'm happy that the Duster made it this far, I can appreciate the insane amount of engineering showcased by the Leaf and Volvo's comeback with the new S60, but, in my opinion, the winner must "speak" to you on a more personal level. And for me, the Giulietta does that best.
By Csaba Daradics
2011 COTY: Which Car Should Win?
For the time being, Dacia's parent company Renault doesn't seem to have any solid plans to further expand the range of its low-cost Logan subcompact, but that hasn't stopped tuning companies from creating their own unique proposals.
Enter the world of Auto K9, a tuning house based in Romania. The company has just presented its latest creation in the form of a one-off Dacia Logan Convertible study based on the sedan model.
Aside from chopping the roof, the tuning firm also removed the rear doors and extended the front ones. From what we understand, the car doesn't come with a top of any sorts.
Other touches include a bodykit, chunky alloy wheels and a customized interior swathed in white leather plus a high-end audio system.
Source: 4Tuning [Hat tip to Valentin]
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The Renault Group has opened a brand new test facility in Titu, Romania. Built on a 330-hectare site located between the Dacia plant in Pitesti and the Renault Technologie Roumanie (RTR) engineering center in Bucharest, the Titu Technical Center will complement the company's Aubevoye and Lardy test centers in France.
According to Renault, the new facility will focus on testing for vehicles and powertrain components from the B0 platform that underpins the low-cost Dacia Logan.
The center is said to have 100 benches for testing vehicles and components such as shock absorbers, running gear and powertrains. The benches can simulate extreme conditions, testing the ability to withstand cold, and simulating sunlight, rain, and other situations.
In addition, the center has ten types of tracks including a speed circuit, uneven road surfaces, an underbody impact zone and wading troughs, which make up a total length of 32 km or about 20 miles.
Renault said the first teams arrived at the Romanian facility in June 2010, and the workforce will increase to 300 people before the end of the year. The first track tests are planned for October 2010.
