Dacia Arms Duster and Bigster with LPG Hybrid Power, New 4x4 System and Automatic Gearbox
Dacia is preparing a major drivetrain shake-up, and by the end of this year the Romanian marque will roll out a powertrain that fuses hybrid technology, liquefied petroleum gas and four-wheel drive. The new setup carries the name Hybrid-G 150 4×4, a system that promises up to 1500 kilometres of WLTP-rated range and as much as 60 percent electric running in the city. Alongside it, the broader Duster engine portfolio also receives a significant refresh.
At the core of the Hybrid-G 150 4×4 is a front-mounted 1.2-litre 48-volt mild-hybrid petrol unit, producing 103 kW (140 hp) and 230 Nm. Complementing it on the rear axle is a 23 kW electric motor with 87 Nm of torque, paired with a two-speed gearbox and a decoupling clutch. Combined system output peaks at 113 kW (154 hp). For the first time in a Dacia, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is included, complete with steering-wheel paddles.
Twin fuel tanks—50 litres of petrol and 50 litres of LPG—yield the remarkable 1500 km range. With LPG, the Duster averages 7.1–7.2 l/100 km (116–118 g/km CO₂), while petrol consumption lands at 5.5–5.6 l/100 km (124–126 g/km CO₂). Given LPG’s low price across much of Western Europe, Dacia estimates running costs could be trimmed by as much as 30 percent compared with existing petrol 4×4 models.
The four-wheel-drive system relies on the rear electric motor, which, thanks to its dual ratio, can sustain 4×4 traction from zero up to 140 km/h. Should traction be lost, the rear motor kicks in instantaneously. Six drive modes are available—Auto, Eco, Snow, Mud/Sand, Lock and Hill Descent Control—allowing largely electric operation in town and continuous four-wheel drive off-road.
The rest of the Duster’s lineup also evolves. The new Hybrid 155 replaces the outgoing Hybrid 140, using a 1.4 kWh battery and an electric automatic gearbox to enable up to 80 percent electric running in city driving, with consumption of 4.6 l/100 km and emissions of 105 g/km CO₂. The Mild Hybrid 140 replaces the 130, powered by a fresh 1.2-litre turbo with 48 V assistance, rated at 5.4 l/100 km and 122 g/km CO₂. Meanwhile the Eco-G 120 supersedes the 100, now with 20 extra horsepower and a dual-tank range of up to 1380 km. All engines comply with the latest EU6e-bis standards.
Interior updates include fresh upholstery, adjustable lumbar support, and an adaptive cruise control system (optional on Extreme trim). The Extreme version also features new black alloy wheels, while both Journey and Extreme trims gain additional comfort and safety touches.
Dacia, once defined by bare-bones practicality, is now taking a more ambitious stride, and the new LPG hybrid drivetrain shows the brand is keen to carve out a unique niche in affordable long-range mobility.
