Dacia Duster: A camper in two minutes

When the desire to travel calls, the "Homo Mobilus" likes to get into his motorhome and follow its call - provided the finances allow him to do so. The creative minds at Dacia thought that there should be a cheaper solution and developed an option that transforms first the Jogger and now the Duster into a combination of everyday vehicle and camper. The result is the "In Nature Sleep Pack", with which the two models do not directly mutate into a motorhome, but allow overnight stays for two away from the infrastructure.

The installation kit costs 1590 euros and can be ordered from a Dacia dealer when purchasing a Jogger or Duster. A so-called 3-in-1 box is then fitted in the rear compartment of the new Duster, which can be easily removed when not needed. Once the rear seats have been folded down, a double bed (1.90 meters long and up to 1.35 meters wide) can be set up in less than two minutes, according to the Dacia promise. A small storage area serves as a table under the tailgate for the gas stove, and the box under the mattress has a storage space with a capacity of 220 liters, where there is plenty of room for camping utensils, for example. "The Sleep Pack," says Dacia Germany boss Thilo Schmidt, "is a great success, and many buyers have already ordered this solution for the Jogger."

The box weighs 45 kilograms and the mattress is made of polyester foam. For discretion, blackout blinds can be ordered from the Dacia accessories. Luggage can also be stored on a roof rack.

Of course, the Duster converted in this way does not have the space of a classic motorhome, and getting onto the mattress requires a certain amount of physical flexibility, but at the same time campers can park in places that are prohibited for motorhomes. And once the "camping box" has been dismantled, the Duster resumes its role as a family car.

The Duster has been in the Dacia model range as an affordable SUV for 14 years and has since sold around 2.5 million units worldwide. In some markets, the model is also available at dealerships as a "Renault". The completely newly developed third generation of the bestseller will be launched in June and, as before, the Duster is one of the most affordable models of its kind. The price list starts at 18,950 euros, so that together with the "Sleep Pack" 20,540 euros change hands. The basic version is powered by a one-liter turbo engine, which is designed to run on LPG and petrol. The 101 hp (74 kW) is sufficient for a top speed of 168 km/h. Dacia promises that the combination of the two energy sources will enable a range of up to 1100 kilometers.

Connectivity has been thoroughly revised in the new model generation and now enables remote updates. All variants have air conditioning on board, which is automatic from the Journey trim level upwards. Cruise control with speed limiter is already included in the basic version. Automatic lighting is also standard on all variants, and emergency brake assist, traffic sign recognition, park assist, lane departure warning and drowsiness detection are available. To deactivate the intervention of the various assistants, the Duster driver can decide which electronic helpers are accepted and save the setting using a button.

The top model is the variant with hybrid drive, which uses the technology from the Jogger. Thanks to the CMF-B platform, the use of electrification has become possible. The combination of electric and combustion engine drive adds up to 140 hp (103 kW). The 94 hp (69 kW) 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with two electric motors - a 31 kW (42 hp) electric unit and a high-voltage starter generator. Power is transferred via a seamlessly shifting clutchless multi-mode automatic transmission. The electrical energy is stored in a 1.2 kWh battery. This combination enables an electric share of up to 80 percent in the city. Dacia promises a standard average fuel consumption of five liters. After a first lap on country roads and the highway, the computer reported 6.4 liters. The hybrid model costs at least 25,850 euros.

A new 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder engine (with a 48-volt starter-generator) rounds off the drive range for at least 22,150 euros. A six-speed manual gearbox is responsible for power transmission. In this variant (from 24,650 euros), the Duster is also available to customers with all-wheel drive.

Off-road, the Duster shows its robust qualities and supports the person behind the wheel with the Terrain Control settings Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand and Off-Road. In Auto, the transmission automatically distributes the power to the front and rear axles, in Snow the ESP and traction control settings take effect more quickly, and Mud/Sand is designed for changing terrain. In addition, the hill descent control assists the driver behind the wheel. Together with the "In Nature Sleep Pack", the only thing standing in the way of an excursion off the beaten track is the forest ranger. (aum/Walther Wuttke)