Motoring

The Dacia Duster has been a huge success in Ireland since it was first launched back in 2013. Over 14,000 Dusters have found homes in Ireland since it first went on sale.

Now in its second generation, Dacia has updated the Duster again for 2022. Duster gets more modern features to keep it competitive in the compact SUV segment. Priced from €21,190, the Dacia Duster is one of Ireland's truly affordable new cars.

The Duster is now very recognisable on Irish roads for its chunky, rugged design. You don't mess with an icon! So the Duster facelift has been minor. New light units include Y-shaped daytime running lights, which look more contemporary and seem to fit better, especially at the rear. This shape also inspired the new 3D chromed radiator grille. Front LED indicators debut here for the first time in the Dacia range. There’s also a new colour –Arizona Orange – that really makes the Duster pop. Inside, the cabin has been lifted with the addition of a new 8” touchscreen with modern graphics and a glossier finish. It replaces the old 7” unit. The USB ports have also moved to a neater location further down in the centre console so the cable no longer dangles across the touchscreen. There are few soft touch plastics in the cabin but it’s acceptable at this price range. The Dacia Duster will seat five and is one of the more spacious small SUVs on the market today. The high roofline gives loads of headroom, adding to that feeling of space. The boot is also a good size with up to 478 litres available in two wheel drive models, and 467 in four wheel drive Dusters. Isofix child-seat mounting points are fitted to the outer rear seats.

The new Duster is available in Ireland with petrol and diesel engines in 2022, as well as a petrol/LPG 'bifuel option' by special order. All wheel drive is available on diesel models. The range kicks off with the 1.0-litre TCe petrol engine with 90 hp and a manual gearbox at €21,190. There's also a new petrol/LPG option priced the same, with 100 hp and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The

CAROLINE GETS MOTORING

Bunclody native Caroline Kidd brings us reviews of the latest new cars to arrive in Ireland. Caroline is the founder and editor of the online automotive magazine Changing Lanes and a jury member for Irish Car of the Year. Find out more about her editorial and commercial copywriting services at www.changinglanes.ie DACIA DUSTER

diesel option in the Duster range is the familiar 1.5-litre dCi with 115 hp available in either twowheel drive or four-wheel drive, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. Four wheel drive Dusters are available from €26,140 and are extremely capable off-road for a small SUV. With a bit more power, Duster is offered with a 1.3-litre TCe 150 hp petrol engine. It's sold as two wheel drive and is the only engine in the range offered with an automatic gearbox. The driver enjoys a high seating position behind the wheel giving the Duster the feel of an authentic off-roader. Steering is light making the car easy to park and drive around town. Out of town it's not the sharpest performer in bends. Yet it’s comfortable where it matters over long distances and copes well with rougher surfaces on rural roads and in town. The Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi is a reliable companion for the Duster with a good return on economy. My average fuel consumption over a week of driving was 5.3 litres. In Ireland the Duster is available in three trim levels: Essential, Comfort and Prestige. The Duster Essential (from €21,190) has steel wheels, automatic headlights, and black roof bars. Inside there’s a height and reach-adjustable steering column, cruise control with speed limiter, on-board computer, DAB Radio and manual air conditioning. The Comfort model is priced from €23,390 and is more desirable for 16-inch alloy wheels, black-painted heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, bodycoloured door handles, front fog lights, and hill descent control. The interior, meanwhile, gains upgraded upholstery, height-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, leather steering wheel, electric rear windows, rear parking sensors with rear camera, and the 8-inch infotain-

ment system with Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay®. The Prestige model is available from €25,290 with even more equipment. The Duster holds a 3-star Euro NCAP safety rating with some safety equipment like lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking still absent. Interior The Dacia Duster offers excellent value for a small SUV. At a time when new cars have become even more expensive, the Duster remains one of the last truly affordable cars with enough space inside to meet the needs of family buyers. While there are some compromises to quality, the Duster has improved a lot over the years and now has more equipment than ever before.

Model tested:

Dacia Duster dCi 115 Comfort

Price: €25,190

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo diesel

Power: 115 hp

Torque: 260 Nm 0-100km/h: 10.5 seconds

Top speed: 179 km/h

CO2 emissions (WLTP): 111 g/km

Motor Tax: €200 per year. n

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Road safety for transition years

For the past 15 years, Wexford County Council and Wexford Rotary Club have jointly presented a unique road safety event entitled Just 1 Life. Aimed at Transition Year students, the objective of the Just 1 Life programme is to prevent young drivers’ lives being needlessly lost in road traffic collisions. Described by some as a “shock and awe” approach, the no-holdsbarred initiative features a series of interactive videos and presentations from An Gárda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service, the Health Service Executive, Mental Health Ireland and Wexford Fire Service.

The 450 pupils who took part in the Just 1 Life event in the National Opera House, Wexford, on Wednesday 2nd of March attend St Peter’s College, Loreto Secondary School, CBS Secondary School and Selskar College. Wexford County Council and Wexford Rotary are hopeful that the Just 1 Life initiative will make a difference with these young drivers of the future.

Mr Mike Brand of Wexford Rotary Club described how the initiative had first started in Australia, when, faced with similar road accident statistics in that continent, Rotary International launched a campaign to make Australian students aware of dangerous driving behaviours and their often tragic consequences. “Road carnage is, unfortunately, a worldwide experience,” said Mr. Brand. “We are indebted to our Australian friends for initiating this programme and Wexford Rotary Club is delighted to support Wexford County Council in providing this programme to Wexford and adapting it to meet the needs of our young people.” Cllr. Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, said, 'Unfortunately, far too many of us have lost someone we know and love in a road traffic collision. Most fatal accidents are avoidable, and many are caused by speed or a single moment of distraction, The 'Just 1 Life' programme takes a hardhitting, direct approach to driver behaviour. The programme is aimed at TY students and will hopefully dramatically change dangerous behaviours behind the wheel and save lives in the future.' David Codd, Road Safety Officer with Wexford County Council, explained how, from its creation in 2006, more than 15,000 Transition Year students from all second level schools in Wexford have benefited from attending the programme. “These students, who are the next generation of drivers on our roads are unfortunately the age group most likely to be involved in a serious injury or fatal road collision. I feel that it is vitally important for us to share the experiences of our presenters with these young people. Our speakers come from all of the emergency services in the County and have attended multiple collisions scenes where young people of a similar age have unfortunately lost their lives.” The Just 1 Life programme emphasises the stark realities and often tragic results of inappropriate driving behaviours. By sharing their experiences the presenters hope that they can impress upon the students the responsibility that comes with sitting behind the wheel of a car. If just one life can be saved, if just one young person’s attitude can be influenced to make that person a safer and more responsible driver, then what a great achievement for all involved. n

‘Just 1 Life’ road safety event in the National Opera House, Wexford, on 2nd March 2022. Left: Michael Brand, Wexford Rotary Club. Right: Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit. Below: Garda Mick Dee.