Latest news with #Dacia
The Advertiser
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2025 Renault Duster: More rugged crossover SUV arrives in Australia
The first 2025 Renault Duster SUVs have landed in Australia ahead of their official on-sale in local showrooms next month – with pricing and full details yet to be revealed. Sold under Renault's cost-conscious Dacia sub-brand in Europe, the Romanian-built Duster is a small SUV rival to crossover SUVs like the Skoda Kamiq and Suzuki Vitara. Offered in four model grades in the UK, Renault Australia has confirmed the Duster will be offered in Australia in two model grades but is yet to confirm full equipment details and pricing. It showed off the two Dusters – one in Sandstone, the other in Shadow Grey – here for final evaluation and accessory tests ahead of going on sale in July 2025, giving more clues to the final spec of local versions. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Renault Australia has said it won't set the sales charts alight as the automaker has lower numbers this year – with access to a greater volume of Duster expected in 2026. "Demand for this vehicle in Europe is very strong, so Australia will receive an initial allocation before shipments ramp up next year," Renault Australia managing director Glen Sealey said in a statement. "We ordered as many cars as we could this year, and we are now working closely with the factory to improve our allocation moving forward." Pricing in the UK starts at just below £20,000 ($41,520) before on-road costs and is expected to cost in the late $30,000-range in Australia – sitting close to the smaller new-generation Renault Captur SUV due here later this year. Renault Australia has previously confirmed the Duster lineup will include 'Y-shaped' daytime running lights (DRLs), with standard cabin equipment including a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . It has also said the Duster range will come standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and a rear-view camera. The overseas Duster has a three-star Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) rating, which points to a potentially identical rating from sister safety authority ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program). With little else revealed, the images of the two Dusters appear to match the UK-spec Expression and Journey Duster model grades, respectively. The Expression sits above the entry-level Essential in the UK where it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, 'Denim style' fabric seat trim, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and rear parking camera. This Shadow Grey Duster appears to be one model grade above the Essential, the Journey – with Australia set to miss out on the top-spec Extreme for the time being. The UK-market Journey gets 18-inch alloy wheels, modular roof bars and heated front seats which also have 'MicroCloud plastic-coated textile' upholstery. The Duster also uses 20 per cent recycled material in its bumpers, according to Renault. The Sandstone Duster is a 4×4 model and the Shadow Grey a 4×2, Renault Australia having previously announced both will be offered from launch. Powering the front-wheel drive Duster 4×2 is a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 113kW of power and 250Nm of torque and mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It has a UK combined fuel economy claim of 6.5L/100km. The 4×4 versions will use a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder with 96kW and 230Nm and will be only available with a six-speed manual gearbox. 4×4 mild hybrid variants have a UK combined fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km. Renault Australia has confirmed 4×4 models also come with hill descent control and include five selectable drive modes. An automatic 4×4 version is expected to be offered overseas – and will be a strong candidate for Australian showrooms – while Renault has confirmed a 4×4 hybrid with a rear-axle electric motor will go into production by the end of 2025. Key dimensions for the 2025 Duster have been provided, confirming it's 4325mm long, 1921 wide and 1650mm high – with 'up to' 212mm ground clearance, although again, depending on the model grade. UK models also have a 517L boot in 4×2 Dusters, with 4×4 offering 456L. The Duster shares its CMF-B underpinnings with various Renault and Nissan vehicles, including the Nissan Juke. A range of accessories is also under evaluation, with the both cars showing off roof-mounted extras from Australian company Rhino Rack. "Unlike many other vehicles in the small SUV segment, the Renault Duster has a level of genuine off-road ability for those who want to escape the urban jungle," Mr Sealey said. "That's why we are working with Renault France and local accessory specialists to offer a wide range of options, so customers can get the most out of their new Renault Duster."MORE: Everything Renault Content originally sourced from: The first 2025 Renault Duster SUVs have landed in Australia ahead of their official on-sale in local showrooms next month – with pricing and full details yet to be revealed. Sold under Renault's cost-conscious Dacia sub-brand in Europe, the Romanian-built Duster is a small SUV rival to crossover SUVs like the Skoda Kamiq and Suzuki Vitara. Offered in four model grades in the UK, Renault Australia has confirmed the Duster will be offered in Australia in two model grades but is yet to confirm full equipment details and pricing. It showed off the two Dusters – one in Sandstone, the other in Shadow Grey – here for final evaluation and accessory tests ahead of going on sale in July 2025, giving more clues to the final spec of local versions. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Renault Australia has said it won't set the sales charts alight as the automaker has lower numbers this year – with access to a greater volume of Duster expected in 2026. "Demand for this vehicle in Europe is very strong, so Australia will receive an initial allocation before shipments ramp up next year," Renault Australia managing director Glen Sealey said in a statement. "We ordered as many cars as we could this year, and we are now working closely with the factory to improve our allocation moving forward." Pricing in the UK starts at just below £20,000 ($41,520) before on-road costs and is expected to cost in the late $30,000-range in Australia – sitting close to the smaller new-generation Renault Captur SUV due here later this year. Renault Australia has previously confirmed the Duster lineup will include 'Y-shaped' daytime running lights (DRLs), with standard cabin equipment including a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . It has also said the Duster range will come standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and a rear-view camera. The overseas Duster has a three-star Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) rating, which points to a potentially identical rating from sister safety authority ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program). With little else revealed, the images of the two Dusters appear to match the UK-spec Expression and Journey Duster model grades, respectively. The Expression sits above the entry-level Essential in the UK where it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, 'Denim style' fabric seat trim, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and rear parking camera. This Shadow Grey Duster appears to be one model grade above the Essential, the Journey – with Australia set to miss out on the top-spec Extreme for the time being. The UK-market Journey gets 18-inch alloy wheels, modular roof bars and heated front seats which also have 'MicroCloud plastic-coated textile' upholstery. The Duster also uses 20 per cent recycled material in its bumpers, according to Renault. The Sandstone Duster is a 4×4 model and the Shadow Grey a 4×2, Renault Australia having previously announced both will be offered from launch. Powering the front-wheel drive Duster 4×2 is a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 113kW of power and 250Nm of torque and mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It has a UK combined fuel economy claim of 6.5L/100km. The 4×4 versions will use a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder with 96kW and 230Nm and will be only available with a six-speed manual gearbox. 4×4 mild hybrid variants have a UK combined fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km. Renault Australia has confirmed 4×4 models also come with hill descent control and include five selectable drive modes. An automatic 4×4 version is expected to be offered overseas – and will be a strong candidate for Australian showrooms – while Renault has confirmed a 4×4 hybrid with a rear-axle electric motor will go into production by the end of 2025. Key dimensions for the 2025 Duster have been provided, confirming it's 4325mm long, 1921 wide and 1650mm high – with 'up to' 212mm ground clearance, although again, depending on the model grade. UK models also have a 517L boot in 4×2 Dusters, with 4×4 offering 456L. The Duster shares its CMF-B underpinnings with various Renault and Nissan vehicles, including the Nissan Juke. A range of accessories is also under evaluation, with the both cars showing off roof-mounted extras from Australian company Rhino Rack. "Unlike many other vehicles in the small SUV segment, the Renault Duster has a level of genuine off-road ability for those who want to escape the urban jungle," Mr Sealey said. "That's why we are working with Renault France and local accessory specialists to offer a wide range of options, so customers can get the most out of their new Renault Duster."MORE: Everything Renault Content originally sourced from: The first 2025 Renault Duster SUVs have landed in Australia ahead of their official on-sale in local showrooms next month – with pricing and full details yet to be revealed. Sold under Renault's cost-conscious Dacia sub-brand in Europe, the Romanian-built Duster is a small SUV rival to crossover SUVs like the Skoda Kamiq and Suzuki Vitara. Offered in four model grades in the UK, Renault Australia has confirmed the Duster will be offered in Australia in two model grades but is yet to confirm full equipment details and pricing. It showed off the two Dusters – one in Sandstone, the other in Shadow Grey – here for final evaluation and accessory tests ahead of going on sale in July 2025, giving more clues to the final spec of local versions. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Renault Australia has said it won't set the sales charts alight as the automaker has lower numbers this year – with access to a greater volume of Duster expected in 2026. "Demand for this vehicle in Europe is very strong, so Australia will receive an initial allocation before shipments ramp up next year," Renault Australia managing director Glen Sealey said in a statement. "We ordered as many cars as we could this year, and we are now working closely with the factory to improve our allocation moving forward." Pricing in the UK starts at just below £20,000 ($41,520) before on-road costs and is expected to cost in the late $30,000-range in Australia – sitting close to the smaller new-generation Renault Captur SUV due here later this year. Renault Australia has previously confirmed the Duster lineup will include 'Y-shaped' daytime running lights (DRLs), with standard cabin equipment including a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . It has also said the Duster range will come standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and a rear-view camera. The overseas Duster has a three-star Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) rating, which points to a potentially identical rating from sister safety authority ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program). With little else revealed, the images of the two Dusters appear to match the UK-spec Expression and Journey Duster model grades, respectively. The Expression sits above the entry-level Essential in the UK where it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, 'Denim style' fabric seat trim, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and rear parking camera. This Shadow Grey Duster appears to be one model grade above the Essential, the Journey – with Australia set to miss out on the top-spec Extreme for the time being. The UK-market Journey gets 18-inch alloy wheels, modular roof bars and heated front seats which also have 'MicroCloud plastic-coated textile' upholstery. The Duster also uses 20 per cent recycled material in its bumpers, according to Renault. The Sandstone Duster is a 4×4 model and the Shadow Grey a 4×2, Renault Australia having previously announced both will be offered from launch. Powering the front-wheel drive Duster 4×2 is a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 113kW of power and 250Nm of torque and mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It has a UK combined fuel economy claim of 6.5L/100km. The 4×4 versions will use a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder with 96kW and 230Nm and will be only available with a six-speed manual gearbox. 4×4 mild hybrid variants have a UK combined fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km. Renault Australia has confirmed 4×4 models also come with hill descent control and include five selectable drive modes. An automatic 4×4 version is expected to be offered overseas – and will be a strong candidate for Australian showrooms – while Renault has confirmed a 4×4 hybrid with a rear-axle electric motor will go into production by the end of 2025. Key dimensions for the 2025 Duster have been provided, confirming it's 4325mm long, 1921 wide and 1650mm high – with 'up to' 212mm ground clearance, although again, depending on the model grade. UK models also have a 517L boot in 4×2 Dusters, with 4×4 offering 456L. The Duster shares its CMF-B underpinnings with various Renault and Nissan vehicles, including the Nissan Juke. A range of accessories is also under evaluation, with the both cars showing off roof-mounted extras from Australian company Rhino Rack. "Unlike many other vehicles in the small SUV segment, the Renault Duster has a level of genuine off-road ability for those who want to escape the urban jungle," Mr Sealey said. "That's why we are working with Renault France and local accessory specialists to offer a wide range of options, so customers can get the most out of their new Renault Duster."MORE: Everything Renault Content originally sourced from: The first 2025 Renault Duster SUVs have landed in Australia ahead of their official on-sale in local showrooms next month – with pricing and full details yet to be revealed. Sold under Renault's cost-conscious Dacia sub-brand in Europe, the Romanian-built Duster is a small SUV rival to crossover SUVs like the Skoda Kamiq and Suzuki Vitara. Offered in four model grades in the UK, Renault Australia has confirmed the Duster will be offered in Australia in two model grades but is yet to confirm full equipment details and pricing. It showed off the two Dusters – one in Sandstone, the other in Shadow Grey – here for final evaluation and accessory tests ahead of going on sale in July 2025, giving more clues to the final spec of local versions. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Renault Australia has said it won't set the sales charts alight as the automaker has lower numbers this year – with access to a greater volume of Duster expected in 2026. "Demand for this vehicle in Europe is very strong, so Australia will receive an initial allocation before shipments ramp up next year," Renault Australia managing director Glen Sealey said in a statement. "We ordered as many cars as we could this year, and we are now working closely with the factory to improve our allocation moving forward." Pricing in the UK starts at just below £20,000 ($41,520) before on-road costs and is expected to cost in the late $30,000-range in Australia – sitting close to the smaller new-generation Renault Captur SUV due here later this year. Renault Australia has previously confirmed the Duster lineup will include 'Y-shaped' daytime running lights (DRLs), with standard cabin equipment including a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . It has also said the Duster range will come standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and a rear-view camera. The overseas Duster has a three-star Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) rating, which points to a potentially identical rating from sister safety authority ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program). With little else revealed, the images of the two Dusters appear to match the UK-spec Expression and Journey Duster model grades, respectively. The Expression sits above the entry-level Essential in the UK where it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, 'Denim style' fabric seat trim, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and rear parking camera. This Shadow Grey Duster appears to be one model grade above the Essential, the Journey – with Australia set to miss out on the top-spec Extreme for the time being. The UK-market Journey gets 18-inch alloy wheels, modular roof bars and heated front seats which also have 'MicroCloud plastic-coated textile' upholstery. The Duster also uses 20 per cent recycled material in its bumpers, according to Renault. The Sandstone Duster is a 4×4 model and the Shadow Grey a 4×2, Renault Australia having previously announced both will be offered from launch. Powering the front-wheel drive Duster 4×2 is a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 113kW of power and 250Nm of torque and mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It has a UK combined fuel economy claim of 6.5L/100km. The 4×4 versions will use a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder with 96kW and 230Nm and will be only available with a six-speed manual gearbox. 4×4 mild hybrid variants have a UK combined fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km. Renault Australia has confirmed 4×4 models also come with hill descent control and include five selectable drive modes. An automatic 4×4 version is expected to be offered overseas – and will be a strong candidate for Australian showrooms – while Renault has confirmed a 4×4 hybrid with a rear-axle electric motor will go into production by the end of 2025. Key dimensions for the 2025 Duster have been provided, confirming it's 4325mm long, 1921 wide and 1650mm high – with 'up to' 212mm ground clearance, although again, depending on the model grade. UK models also have a 517L boot in 4×2 Dusters, with 4×4 offering 456L. The Duster shares its CMF-B underpinnings with various Renault and Nissan vehicles, including the Nissan Juke. A range of accessories is also under evaluation, with the both cars showing off roof-mounted extras from Australian company Rhino Rack. "Unlike many other vehicles in the small SUV segment, the Renault Duster has a level of genuine off-road ability for those who want to escape the urban jungle," Mr Sealey said. "That's why we are working with Renault France and local accessory specialists to offer a wide range of options, so customers can get the most out of their new Renault Duster."MORE: Everything Renault Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
a day ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2025 Renault Duster: More rugged crossover SUV arrives in Australia
The first 2025 Renault Duster SUVs have landed in Australia ahead of their official on-sale in local showrooms next month – with pricing and full details yet to be revealed. Sold under Renault's cost-conscious Dacia sub-brand in Europe, the Romanian-built Duster is a small SUV rival to crossover SUVs like the Skoda Kamiq and Suzuki Vitara. Offered in four model grades in the UK, Renault Australia has confirmed the Duster will be offered in Australia in two model grades but is yet to confirm full equipment details and pricing. It showed off the two Dusters – one in Sandstone, the other in Shadow Grey – here for final evaluation and accessory tests ahead of going on sale in July 2025, giving more clues to the final spec of local versions. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Renault Australia has said it won't set the sales charts alight as the automaker has lower numbers this year – with access to a greater volume of Duster expected in 2026. 'Demand for this vehicle in Europe is very strong, so Australia will receive an initial allocation before shipments ramp up next year,' Renault Australia managing director Glen Sealey said in a statement. 'We ordered as many cars as we could this year, and we are now working closely with the factory to improve our allocation moving forward.' Pricing in the UK starts at just below £20,000 ($41,520) before on-road costs and is expected to cost in the late $30,000-range in Australia – sitting close to the smaller new-generation Renault Captur SUV due here later this year. Renault Australia has previously confirmed the Duster lineup will include 'Y-shaped' daytime running lights (DRLs), with standard cabin equipment including a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . It has also said the Duster range will come standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and a rear-view camera. The overseas Duster has a three-star Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) rating, which points to a potentially identical rating from sister safety authority ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program). With little else revealed, the images of the two Dusters appear to match the UK-spec Expression and Journey Duster model grades, respectively. The Expression sits above the entry-level Essential in the UK where it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, 'Denim style' fabric seat trim, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and rear parking camera. This Shadow Grey Duster appears to be one model grade above the Essential, the Journey – with Australia set to miss out on the top-spec Extreme for the time being. The UK-market Journey gets 18-inch alloy wheels, modular roof bars and heated front seats which also have 'MicroCloud plastic-coated textile' upholstery. The Duster also uses 20 per cent recycled material in its bumpers, according to Renault. The Sandstone Duster is a 4×4 model and the Shadow Grey a 4×2, Renault Australia having previously announced both will be offered from launch. Powering the front-wheel drive Duster 4×2 is a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 113kW of power and 250Nm of torque and mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It has a UK combined fuel economy claim of 6.5L/100km. The 4×4 versions will use a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder with 96kW and 230Nm and will be only available with a six-speed manual gearbox. 4×4 mild hybrid variants have a UK combined fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km. Renault Australia has confirmed 4×4 models also come with hill descent control and include five selectable drive modes. An automatic 4×4 version is expected to be offered overseas – and will be a strong candidate for Australian showrooms – while Renault has confirmed a 4×4 hybrid with a rear-axle electric motor will go into production by the end of 2025. Key dimensions for the 2025 Duster have been provided, confirming it's 4325mm long, 1921 wide and 1650mm high – with 'up to' 212mm ground clearance, although again, depending on the model grade. UK models also have a 517L boot in 4×2 Dusters, with 4×4 offering 456L. The Duster shares its CMF-B underpinnings with various Renault and Nissan vehicles, including the Nissan Juke. A range of accessories is also under evaluation, with the both cars showing off roof-mounted extras from Australian company Rhino Rack. 'Unlike many other vehicles in the small SUV segment, the Renault Duster has a level of genuine off-road ability for those who want to escape the urban jungle,' Mr Sealey said. 'That's why we are working with Renault France and local accessory specialists to offer a wide range of options, so customers can get the most out of their new Renault Duster.'
Motor 1
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Regulatory Work Eats 25% of Stellantis Engineering Hours
It's not easy being an automotive engineer tasked with developing a new car for the European market. The EU undoubtedly has the strictest legislation in terms of emissions, noise, safety, and other criteria. These higher standards not only drive up prices but also consume a significant portion of engineering time. Stellantis Chairman John Elkann told Automotive News Europe that an engineer working at one of the largest automotive conglomerates spends more than a quarter of their time solely on ensuring compliance with the EU's stringent regulations: 'If you look at our engineers, more than 25 percent just work on compliance, so no value is added.' Upcoming Fiat 500 with gas engine Photo by: Fiat And it's only going to get worse. Elkann, who also chairs Ferrari , says cars sold in Europe will need to meet more than 120 new regulations by the end of the decade. The most daunting challenge is reducing fleet emissions. The 93.6 g/km average for 2025 to 2029 is already 15% lower than the previous standard. For the 2030-2034 period, that figure will have to drop further to just 49.5 g/km. Starting in 2035, new cars sold in Europe won't be allowed to produce harmful emissions, effectively banning the use of combustion engines. We've recently mourned the loss of many fun cars in Europe due to tighter regulations, but the impact reaches far beyond sports cars. Elkann argues that small vehicles are also being squeezed out as rising prices, driven by costly regulatory compliance, make them less viable. The Volkswagen Group stopped making the VW up!, Skoda Citigo, and the SEAT Mii years ago. He noted that more than one million vehicles priced under €15,000 were sold in Europe in 2019, but that number has since plummeted to around 100,000. His solution? The EU should take inspiration from Japan's kei cars and introduce a European equivalent: 'There's no reason why if Japan has a kei car, which is 40 percent of the market, Europe should not have an E-Car.' Earlier this year, former Renault CEO Luca de Meo also emphasized the need for smaller cars, stating: 'Driving around every day in an electric vehicle weighing 2.5 tons [5,551 pounds] is clearly an environmental nonsense.' Dacia Sandero Stepway Photo by: Motor1 Despite the growing popularity of crossovers, there's still a clear demand for smaller, lighter vehicles in Europe. Renault's budget brand Dacia is thriving with its no-frills lineup that's both lightweight and affordable. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), Dacia held a 5.1% market share through April, thanks in part to the success of the Sandero supermini. While Dacia does sell SUVs like the Duster and Bigster, even the heaviest configuration of the latter weighs only about 1,400 kilograms (3,086 pounds). Excessive bureaucracy is undermining affordability and could backfire on Europe's push for electrification. Making new cars more expensive risks encouraging people to keep their older, more polluting vehicles. Loosening regulations on small cars, similar to Japan's kei car approach, could give automakers the flexibility to build cheaper, more efficient models. Will that happen? Given the EU's tendency to tighten the rulebook, it seems unlikely. Catch Up With Stellantis: Stellantis Will 'Experiment' With Chrysler to Fill The Gaps Stellantis Has Finally Replaced Carlos Tavares Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Automotive News Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Auto Car
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Dacia's secrets to success: how it makes its cars so cheap
Adapting it for Duster duties cost a little more, mainly for the reinforced sills and ride height, but from there, for the extra-large Bigster, the only major change has been to extend the A-pillars by 50mm. Every kilogram is managed, too. The reason the Bigster doesn't offer a seven-seat interior is because Dacia worked out only 25% of buyers in the segment consider them but the added weight would require strengthening for the rear axle, which would add expense across the range. Ergo the Bigster is a five-seater only, being ruthlessly focused on the main audience. Which brings Le Vot to his second point: the importance of learning what the intended buyer really wants and then not straying beyond that kit level by so much as an additional USB-C port. 'We've been studying the Germans, I must confess,' he says, smirking. The Germans are the big market for cars like the Bigster. They're also fussy, which is crucial. If our German chums 'need' something in their C-SUV, you damn well better offer it. And if they don't, nobody else will want it and you're off the procurement hook. 'If the car doesn't have AC [air-con], then it's disqualified. But if I offer, whatever, electric seats for the front passenger or AC in the seats? No need: it's not disqualifying. So we have dual-zone AC [in the Bigster], which we've never had before, and we have two-tone paint and an electric tailgate. These are the things we will offer, and if we don't, they will say 'I'm not buying'. Hundreds of people. It's complicated; new territory for us.' The final part of the equation is the supplier negotiations, where Le Vot's sojourns in hard-nosed Russia has fortified his resolve. By all accounts, this charismatic Frenchman and his accomplices in accounts are utter bastards. Le Vot says: 'We define the car [at] €25k and the hybrid [at] €30k, then we split this price. It seems obvious, but most manufacturers don't do that. "They design the car they want to have, then give the parts to suppliers, negotiating like hell to get the best price, but the best price is a surprise. When you expect €100, you get €110 more often than €95.
Car and Driver
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Steer It Up: Circuit Racing, Jamaica Style
The Experience: It Is a Truism that the Worst Ideas Often Make the Best Stories Why own a vehicle unless it transports you to scenery, wildlife, and a carjacking or two? The experiences we've had over seven decades appear, quite often, to have been risky, at odds with common sense, and deleterious to the car or the driver. Take our tour of Baja California. It was a comparison test, but the adventure—part Mexican telenovela, part police procedural—is what's remembered, not the finishing order. We nervously occupied an up-armored Humvee on patrols with gunners in Kosovo. One winter, we bounced five minivans up the Haul Road to Deadhorse, Alaska, ruining tires and windshields on nearly all. More recently, contributor Jonathon Ramsey drove a Dacia Jogger to Poland's border with Ukraine to deliver donations for the war-torn country. Then there was contributor P.J. O'Rourke, who took 11 days to motor from Florida to California in a 1956 Buick, during which protracted spell his alcohol consumption burgeoned. A few years later, he wrote about driving a red Ferrari 308GTS from New Jersey to L.A. for it to feature in something called "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii," the pilot of Magnum P.I. Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver To get to Dover Raceway from Montego Bay, head out of town and take a right at Discovery Bay, then drive up into the hills about 15 minutes until you see a guy selling Red Stripes by the side of the road. Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Oliver Townsend fields a Civic that battles the Evos and Ian Galbraith's yellow Subaru, the Flairy Canary. Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Rugie Misir's car has a Don't Panic! button, perhaps because it's powered by a turbocharged Hayabusa engine with a homemade anti-lag system. Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Gary "Rambo" Barrett dresses up his VTEC solenoid with a pair of rum caps. Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Dover's topography makes for easy spectating: Just grab a rock on the bluff. Though we saw one innovative onlooker arrive with a full set of kitchen chairs on the roof of his car. Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Ingenuity abounds in the Dover pits. Need an exterior battery kill switch? Connect the radio antenna to the dash control. Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Roy Ritchie | Car and Driver Ezra Dyer Senior Editor Ezra Dyer is a Car and Driver senior editor and columnist. He's now based in North Carolina but still remembers how to turn right. He owns a 2009 GEM e4 and once drove 206 mph. Those facts are mutually exclusive.
