Dacia Bigster Photo: Pictorial Press, Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy / Profimedia
The Dacia Bigster model with automatic 4×4 propulsion system was evaluated by the experts of the prestigious Top Gear show in Great Britain following its testing over a distance of approximately 5,000 kilometers traveled on British roads. Their conclusion is that the model is surprisingly cheap compared to its features and performance.
Tom Ford drove the Dacia Bigster from Scotland to London to test its behavior over long distances. “And she was really, really good,” Ford said.
First of all, interior space is considered good, if not extraordinary, but it is noted that floor space is reduced by the space for the spare wheel. “Rear seat legroom is excellent,” the review says. Although the radio still cuts out for a second from time to time, the sound of the stereo system is appreciated.
In the minuses chapter, it is mentioned that the seats are not very wide for larger people, some creaks can be heard, and the reversing camera is of low resolution. Also, the consumption does not increase above 4.6 liters per hundred kilometers even on the highway.
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Instead, it is a more efficient car in mixed mode, in which it alternates the electric proposal with the internal combustion one. Driven this way, in the city the car works almost all the time in electric mode. “And that's thanks to the 1.5 liter hybrid engine which is impressive (…) So we have a 107 horse-power engine, a clutchless gearbox, a 1.4 kWh battery and two electric motors: one of 50 horses for displacement, the other a kind of starter/amplified generator”, write those from Top Gear.
The review speaks of the “freaky efficiency” with which energy lost during prolonged braking is recovered, which compensates for the relatively small battery.
“Once started, it constantly oscillates between combustion and EV (electric propulsion), but you don't notice the changes. One interesting thing is that it has four gears for the internal combustion engine and two more for the electric one. So it juggles a six-speed transmission between two modes of propulsion. Obviously, it works,” notes Top Gear.
“Overall, it's hard not to be impressed. And the best part? When you tell people it's only £26,000 in this spectrum, they're honestly surprised. Considering everything looks like £10,000 more than it is, it's a big win,” the review concludes.
Dacia officially launched, on September 4, the new versions of the two SUVs in the portfolio, Duster and Bigster, with automatic 4×4 propulsion system. The system is a world first, because it groups three types of engines into a single propulsion group: gasoline, LPG and electric.
It is based on the new hybrid engine – LPG produced by Horse\Powertrain in Mioveni, Romania, and an electric motor located on the rear axle and controlled by an innovative gearbox.
According to the Romanian car manufacturer, the two models will be able to run exclusively electric up to 60% of the time in urban traffic. The autonomy will be a huge one, 1,500 km, with the two tanks filled, respectively 50 liters of fuel each. The running cost will be 30% lower than similar gasoline engines.
