Dacia Duster Gains 1.3-Liter Gasoline Engine With Up To 150 HP

After introducing more powerful Blue dCi diesel engines earlier this year, Dacia is updating the engine range of its affordable SUV with a newly developed 1.3-liter TCe engine benefitting from a gasoline particulate filter. Already available for several Renault, Nissan, and Mercedes models, the four-cylinder mill will be offered in the Duster in two states of tune: 130 horsepower (96 kilowatts) and 240 Newton-meters (177 pound-feet) of torque and in a beefier configuration with 150 hp (110 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft). This effectively makes the Duster the most powerful production model Dacia has ever launched.

The 1.3-liter TCe can send its power to the front wheels for the time being, but wait until the middle of next year and you'll be able to order this engine in a Duster equipped with a grippy 4x4 system. If you feel like life's too short and you can't wait until then, Dacia will begin to take orders for the 4x2 Duster in a few weeks.

In related news, the entire Dacia range is getting a technological refresh with the implementation of the Media Nav Evolution system programmed to take place by the end of 2018. Aside from integrating Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as supporting Waze, Whatsapp, and Spotify, the revised infotainment is now quicker and easier to use while also packs more features than before. You'll be happy to hear the Romanian automaker won't be charging you extra for the new system as it will carry the same price as the old Media Nav setup.