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Goodbye Duster 4WD? Third Gen Dacia Duster News

Goodbye Duster 4WD? Third Gen Dacia Duster News

The Dacia Duster SUV will be presented at the end of 2023 and launched on the market in 2024, according to the schedule confirmed by Renault Group and Dacia officials.  Dacia Duster 3 will be longer than the current generation, which was almost identical to the first Duster. The French publication L’Argus confirms that the Duster will grow in length, the information can now be interpreted differently, in the context of the new announcement made by the head of Dacia, Luca de Meo.

Hybrid 4WD System?

The 3rd generation Duster will have a 4×4 system, but Renault Group experts have come to the conclusion that the cardan differential is no longer an appropriate solution in the era of electric motors and at a time when emissions are drastically limited by the European Union. That’s why they moved on to testing a variant that could be the final solution: an electric motor on the rear axle, which would actuate these wheels when needed, so that the car could overcome any obstacle.

Didier Michaud, who coordinates the development of Dacia engines, said at the Paris Motor Show that the Duster will benefit from a new all-wheel drive system. “We want to continue the Duster story and the Duster story includes 4×4. We need to find solutions with less CO2 emissions. All solutions are possible today, nothing is decided” said Didier Michaud. Duster 3 will most likely come with a 1.2-liter engine, which has lower emissions and an equally low consumption. In addition, the Duster will receive shortly after the launch the hybrid group launched on the Jogger, based on the 1.6-liter combustion engine and two electric motors, a powertrain to be manufactured at Mioveni.

This seems like a bad idea for Duster 3, in my opinion, because with an electric motor for the rear axle, the car won’t get the same power on the rear wheels like me model, the Duster 2, that has the traditional 4WD system. This could mean a deal breaker for me, if it’s going to be implemented. What do you think?

Off-Road Car or ATV? Which One to Choose?

Off-Road Car or ATV? Which One to Choose?

Off-road car or ATV, which of these would be a better option? Of the two, one thing is clear… Both give you that extreme feeling when it comes to traveling off-road trails! What would be their advantages and disadvantages from my point of view, having experience with both cars and ATVs on the off-road route.

Off-roading by car

The advantages of having a 4×4 car is that you can travel rough roads, with slopes, mud and even ice. Off-roading in a car is somewhat comfortable, because you are protected from external factors such as cold, bad weather or even dirt. This fact is a very favorable one for those who are passionate about this activity and who are willing to practice it even in extremely unfavorable weather, as it is responsible for adrenaline.

Love at first sight / amor a primera vista Patrol con 38s ?? #nissan #patrol #y61 #offroad #insane #nissanwo… | Coches y motocicletas, Jeep modificados, Patrol gr

Another factor that makes a car better than an ATV from my point of view is that you are safer in the car, in the event of a breakdown or an accident, cars are much safer than an ATV!  Disadvantages that it could present would be the fact that some routes are narrower, inaccessible or maybe even more difficult, in this case those with ATVs have an advantage here.

Off-roading by ATV

Off-roading with an ATV also has its advantages, a prime example would be that feeling of adrenaline that only an ATV driver can describe, also traveling an off-road route with the ATV is a unique experience. With an ATV you can do many things that would be difficult or even impossible to do with a regular car or even an off-road one. Thus, an ATV can be used equally for recreational activities or to satisfy your thirst for adrenaline, but also for utilitarian purposes.  Also, an ATV represents a cheap and efficient means of transport for short or even medium distances, with lower consumption compared to a regular car.

Disadvantages that owning an ATV would have been direct contact with bad weather, for example if it rains you are totally exposed, as well as in the case of cold or dirt on the route. In this category, I could also include safety, which in this case is represented only by the helmet and the experience of the driver, the ATV being devoid of belts or additional protective measures. Another thing to consider when choosing the ATV is the maintenance costs, that are significantly higher for an ATV than for a car, especially when it comes to the spare parts. 

Conclusion:

For enthusiasts, both options represent an advantageous investment, but it also depends on the direction in which they take this passion. It can be a weekend activity that produces only pleasure and that’s all, or it can be a productive activity, it depends on everyone how they choose to practice it: comfortably or taken to the extreme. You draw the conclusion on your own. What would you choose, an off-road car or an ATV?

A Sunday Offroad Drive to Ehreste

Ehreste is a small village located in Suceava County, Romania. It is a scattered mountain village, with very few households at great distances between them. You can easily reach these places if you own an off-road car, respectively 4×4. The access road to it is one through the forest, the terrain being still quite rugged but also slightly muddy at this time of year.

We went through this trail, of course with the Duster, and for this it was a simple one because the climb was kind of simple one, without difficulty and obstacles. This Sunday we had a special landscape due to the thick layer of
fog that enveloped the land, which allowed us to make some really impressive photos. You have some of these here:

The road we used starts from Nisipitu village leads to Ehreste, Zalomestra and then it can be crossed to the Brodina’s Valley, this being the route we traveled. The road we traveled this time was easier than we expected because it had most likely been rebuilt by the local authorities to facilitate the access of the inhabitants in this once difficult to reach area.

Once at the top, the landscape is indescribable in words, can be surprised both the houses in the valley and the forests that surround this spectacular area. Another special thing we had was this fog, that really made the autumn secnery complete.

In this adventure with me was the new DCT driver, but to find out more details and to see the entire journey of this adventure check out the full videos on YouTube.

PART1:

PART 2:

Best Dacia Duster Offroad Concept

Today I stumbled on a Dacia Duster Offroad Concept that blew my mind. As a paradox, it’s imagined as a 2WD Duster but with some very nice imporvements on the design.

This is the Pistonzero’s Velociduster

I say paradox because, in theory, a 2WD Duster is not much of an offroader. For as long as I’ve used my 4×4 Dacia Duster, with just the front wheels you can’t get too far offroading. I think this concept can be made, but only for aesthetic purposes.

Another challenge would be how to make the engine move the huge wheels on the car. Perhaps a V8 engine put under the bonnet might do the trick.

And I think it would be better that the model used for this extreme tunning to be the one with 4 doors. Otherwise you can’t use it for some daily activities. I wonder what would be the real cost for this project and if some workshop would be interested in trying to make it real. Don’t you?

Anyways, as a visual ASMR, this Dacia Duster Concept remains the best one yet, too bad it will remain a concept with little to no chances of hiiting the offroad trails.

 

Top 5 Hardest Off-Road Trails in The World

Top 5 Hardest Off-Road Trails in The World

It’s not unreasonable to think that many off-road enthusiasts enjoy a proper white-knuckle ride every now and again. Crossing deserts, salt flats and rock formations, the most difficult off-road trails in the world are crucibles that put skills and vehicles to merciless testing. Here are the hardest Off-Road trails you can test your limits:

 

5. Baja 1000

A Beginner's Guide to Baja Racing

Baja, Mexico, is the site of the Baja 1000, an endurance race famous for the speeds its drivers achieve. In fact, those speeds are largely responsible for the routes’ difficult reputation. Most drivers should find the better part of the various trails to be an easy drive. However, the obstacles that are encountered, such as steep, sandy descents onto the beach, can be terrifying. It is one of the most prestigious off-road races in the world, having attracted competitors from six continents. The race was founded by Ed Pearlman in 1967

4. Paris – Dakar

The Complete History Of The Dakar Rally | HiConsumption

The Dakar Rally (or simply “The Dakar“; formerly known as the “Paris–Dakar Rally“) is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation. Most events since the inception in 1978 were staged from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal, but due to security threats in Mauritania, which led to the cancellation of the 2008 rally, events from 2009 to 2019 were held in South America.

The move to South America in 2008 was the end of an era for the Dakar Rally. However, that does not mean the original route between Paris, France, and Dakar, Senegal, is closed the off-road enthusiasts. Those who are happy to brave sand dunes, rocky terrain, scorching temperatures and other challenges can still make the 10,000km journey through northwest Africa.

3. The Rubicon Trail

Driving the Rubicon Trail - Outside Online

The Rubicon Trail in California, USA, is so notoriously difficult, Jeep honored it by using the name for a vehicle model. It is approximately 35km long, which makes it sound as though it can be completed in a day. The reality is that the Sierra Nevada mountains route based on old Native American and gold rush era tracks usually takes three days to complete. This is due to the Granite Bowl, Walker Rock, Thousand Dollar Hill, and other obstacles.

2. Casablanca to Cape Town

Forget the Beaten Path: Extreme Off-Roading Destinations Around the World - The Manual

It requires a great deal of time and money, but for those who have both to spare, the route from Casablanca to Cape Town is the ultimate bucket list adventure. Enjoying Crown Oask betting might be one way to afford the 12,000km route through 18 countries. It starts in Morocco and ends in South Africa. The most difficult part of the trip is crossing the Sahara Desert, one of the most inhospitable regions on earth. The beauty and comforts of Cape Town are the perfect end to what could be a life-changing off-road trip. Perhaps even more satisfying, however, is the feeling that comes with knowing one has journeyed almost the entire length of Africa.

1. Namib Naukluft Park Trail

The 73km route that is the Namib Naukluft Park Trail is widely regarded as one of the most arduous unguided off-road trails anywhere on earth. The two-day journey overnights at the Tjeriktit campsite. Part of the trail takes drivers and their passengers along narrow tracks that cross unbelievably steep mountainous terrain. Those tracks are based on those built by early pioneering farmers a fact that makes them even more impressive.