The Bigster is essentially a stretched version of the popular Duster. It measures 4.57 m (179.9 inches) long, 1.81 m (71.3 inches) wide, and 1.71 m (67.3 inches) tall. Compared to the Duster, it's 230 mm (9 inches) longer but keeps the same width.
While the Bigster shares the Duster's tough appearance, it has some unique design elements. These include a redesigned front bumper, a longer wheelbase, and an extended rear overhang. The side gills, windows, and tailgate have also been tweaked slightly.
Inside, the Bigster borrows the dashboard from the Duster. It comes standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment display and offers either a 7-inch or 10-inch digital instrument cluster. The top-of-the-line Extreme trim adds fancy features like a panoramic sunroof, Arkamys 3D Sound system, built-in navigation, and wireless charging. The Journey trim includes an electric tailgate and adaptive cruise control.
Dacia has made several improvements to enhance comfort. These include an acoustic windscreen, thicker glass, better sound insulation for the engine, and a new carpet. The cabin also features touch-sensitive LEDs, passenger lumbar adjustment, and dual-zone A/C with rear vents.
The Bigster offers more legroom for second-row passengers and a spacious 667-liter boot. It also introduces the YouClip system, which lets you mount accessories in different parts of the cabin. Optional features include a second-row armrest that doubles as a backpack, a storage organizer for seatbacks, and a cargo box. For outdoor enthusiasts, Dacia offers camping accessories like a Sleep Pack, Roof Rack, and Tent.
Under the hood, the Bigster comes with few powertrain options. The Hybrid 155 is a self-charging hybrid system that combines a four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery. It produces 153 hp (114 kW / 155 PS), making it Dacia's most powerful model ever. This system can run on electric power for up to 80% of urban driving and is 6% more efficient than the previous Hybrid 140.
The other option is the TCe 140, a mild-hybrid system with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine. It generates 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS) and uses a small 0.8 kWh battery. This version comes with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive.
If you want efficiency but don't want the hybrid, there's an ECO-G 140 with a three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo engine. It's designed to run on petrol or LPG and has a maximum range of 1,450 kilometres (900 miles). This is made possible by 50 litres of petrol and 49 litres of LPG stored in a tank under the load floor. The engine produces the same 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS).
The only four-wheel drive variant is the Bigster TCe 130 4×4, which has a slightly detuned version of the mild hybrid 1.2-litre engine with 128 hp (96 kW / 130 PS). This model is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and Dacia's Terrain Control 4×4 system, which offers five driving modes: Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, Off-Road and Eco.
The Bigster will make its public debut next week at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. Pricing will be announced in January 2025, with sales starting in April. Logically, it will be at a premium to the Duster, which is available in Germany from €18,950 ($20,800) to €22,150 ($24,300).
Source: Dacia
