Dacia unveils affordable new model: Competing in C segment

It was just a matter of time. Dacia is finally entering the most popular segment of the market, and of course, the new model is doing many things its way. Moreover, it will feature a solid four-cylinder engine under the hood.

The arrival of the Bigster is no surprise, as we saw its concept back in 2021. This model is designed to compete in the C segment, but its main advantage is its low price. With a wheelbase of about 269 cm (slightly more than the Toyota RAV4), it will cost from €25,000 (about CAD 36,500). Time to start cutting costs!

Of course, the manufacturer immediately showcased the best-equipped cars. For the first time, we have 19-inch wheels and the option for a two-tone body. I like the hood creases, as they add a bit of aggression to this substantial shape.

You might ask: where are the savings? Let me explain. Open the trunk lid (680 litres, although that's stretched a bit with space for a spare wheel), and it rises on a single electric strut. There's no third row of seats in the trunk. In the most expensive version, the upholstery is fabric. The entire cabin is borrowed from the Duster, along with the characteristic driving position, meaning you either need long arms and short legs, or you'll find yourself in a very strange pose.

However, the managers have done their homework. They surveyed customers, discovering that, without certain features, Dacia can't compete in this segment. These include adaptive cruise control, a glass roof, adjustable rear seatback, dual-zone air conditioning, rear seat ventilation, and better engine insulation. I know this might bring a smile of pity to some readers, but it's precisely by cutting out unnecessary elements that Dacia has become one of the most popular cars in Europe. Why have an electrically adjustable steering wheel when you set it once for leasing? Exactly.

It was also realized that without at least 150 horsepower, the Bigster might lag behind the competition. So, here you go: under the hood is a new 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine—an evolution of smaller units—producing 107 horsepower. It's supported by two electric motors, delivering 155 horsepower, but a battery occupies the space for the spare wheel. Therefore, adding a gas installation to this mix is impossible.

However, if you skip the "full" hybrid option, a gas installation can be factory-combined with a three-cylinder engine to create a "mild" hybrid. It has a capacity of 1.2 litres and generates 140 horsepower. If you don't want the LPG installation, no problem—it'll only be an option.

If you're looking for a 4x4 drive, it is available with a 1.2-litre engine producing 130 horsepower paired with a manual transmission. There may be doubts about its capabilities, but the manufacturer hasn't yet revealed how much the Bigster will weigh. Perhaps, like the Duster, it will be an interesting option, for example, for foresters.

The hybrid version will cost around €30,000 (about CAD 44,000). The exact Canadian price list has not yet been released, but what each equipment version will offer is already known.

Bigster Essential: 17-inch aluminum wheels, fixed roof rails, a Media Display multimedia system with a 10.1-inch central screen, a 7-inch instrument cluster, manual air conditioning, radar, and a rear parking camera, and electrically adjustable front and rear windows.

Bigster Expression: Essential + dual-zone automatic air conditioning, automatic parking brake, rain sensors, automatically folding side mirrors, modular rear bench seat foldable in a 40/20/40 configuration with Easy Fold function, etc.

Bigster Extreme: Expression + 18-inch aluminum wheels, modular roof rails, exterior and interior decorative elements in brown-copper colour, panoramic opening roof, keyless entry card, easy-to-clean microcloud fabric upholstery, rubber trunk floor mat, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, Media Nav Live system with a 10.1-inch central screen and internet-accessible navigation, Arkamys 3D sound system with six speakers, downhill speed control, etc.

Bigster Journey: Expression + 18-inch aluminum wheels, automatic trunk lid, keyless entry card, high central console with armrest, electrically adjustable driver's seat, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, Media Nav Live system with a 10.1-inch central screen and internet-accessible navigation, Arkamys 3D sound system with six speakers, wireless smartphone charger, active speed regulator, etc.

The cars will be available in showrooms around the turn of the year at approximately 7:00 AM Eastern Time.