Three years on from its concept showcase, Dacia has officially revealed its new Bigster SUV. As the name suggests, it will be the biggest car in the brand's line up, overtaking the Duster.
Expected in Ireland during the second quarter of 2025, the Bigster features robust styling and bodywork with a sculpted, horizontal bonnet designed to give the driver a clear view of the road below. Dacia claims the Bigster is not afraid of the scratches and minor knocks. The front and rear skid plates are dyed in the mass, making them more durable and resistant.
The protection running all the way round the body – on the sides, wheel arches and lower part of the bumpers – is made from Dacia's own Starkle, which is used in untreated, unpainted form.
The new Bigster ships with 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, with 19-inch wheels of graphic design available as an option with the top-spec 'Journey' trim. On higher trim levels, customers can opt for a black roof creating a two-tone finish that showcases the vehicle design lines – a first for Dacia. A new exclusive 'Indigo Blue' metallic body colour is also available.
Inside the Bigster, Dacia says it has focused on the essentials: space, ergonomics and comfort. The high-mounted vertical dashboard increases the space available for passengers at the front. Driving information is grouped on the seven- or 10-inch digital instrument panel (depending on trim ) while information associated with the multimedia system is displayed on the 10.1-inch central touchscreen (standard on all Bigster models ). A green line runs between the two screens, integrating them visually with the dashboard.
Depending on trim level, the new Bigster comes with three types of centre console at the front: low, intermediate or – for the first time on a Dacia – a high console with an armrest (with cooler compartment ), an induction charger and generous storage.
Particular emphasis is said to have been placed on the seating upholstery, complemented by hard-wearing materials and fabrics throughout. The 'Extreme' trim level comes as standard with washable Microcloud synthetic TEP upholstery and rubber floor mats at front and rear, as well as in the boot. The rubber floor mats include 20 per cent of recycled materials.
This five-seater SUV has a boot capacity of up to 667-litres under the parcel shelf, with top-spec models fitted with a powered tailgate. Rear seats can split and fold in a 40/20/40 fashion.
There are no diesel options in the Dacia Bigster's engine line up. The entry-level powertrain is called the TCe 140 which is based on the TCe 130 available in the latest Duster. This is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 48V mild hybrid system and a six-speed manual gearbox. The combustion engine is supported by a 0.8 kWh battery hybrid system to reduce average fuel consumption, with quoted figures of 5.6-litre/100 km and CO2 emissions of 129g/km.
For more power, the Bigster is the first Renault Group model to gain the new Hybrid 155 powertrain, combining a 107 bhp four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors (a 50 bhp motor and a high-voltage starter/generator ), a 1.4 kWh battery (230V ) and an automatic electric gearbox. It has four gears for the ICE engine and two others for the electric motors. This combined technology is made possible by the absence of a clutch.
The Hybrid 155 powertrain completes the Hybrid 140 range available on latest Duster and Jogger. It delivers more power (up 15 bhp ), more torque (up 20 Nm to 170 Nm for the combustion engine alone ) and increased towing capacity (up 250 kg to around one tonne ).
Efficiency has also been improved, with a six per cent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, owing primarily to optimised engine speed management, according to Dacia. The Bigster starts up in all-electric mode and can remain in this mode up to 80 per cent of the time in the city.
A finally there is the TCe 130 4x4, which Dacia says is built to head off the beaten track with an all-wheel drive system mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and a 48V mild hybrid system to maximise efficiency. This hybrid system supports the 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine during start-up and acceleration, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Regenerative braking recharges the 0.8 kWh battery.
Full Irish pricing and spec for the Dacia Bigster should be available before the end of this year.
