A new and unusual pickup version of the Duster has been officially presented on the European market, the result of a specialized collaboration with the renowned Romanian manufacturer Romturingia. The model, which uses as a base the latest generation of SUV from Dacia, a subsidiary of Renault, stands out for maintaining the original structure of the vehicle, including the wheelbase, which results in a unique look and a proposal focused on specific market niches that demand agility and efficiency.
Equipped with hybrid engines and the option of 4×4 traction, the Duster pickup was developed to mainly serve companies and self-employed professionals who need a versatile vehicle to transport light loads. Although the bucket’s capacity is limited, its functionality and onboard technology position it as a practical and modern solution for the needs of the European continent, combining low operating costs with the ability to face varied terrain.
While this news moves Europa, Renault is preparing a completely different strategy for Brasil. The automaker plans to launch the Niagara pickup truck from 2026, a project developed to compete in a higher segment with higher sales volumes, strengthening the brand’s presence in the South American market with a more robust product aligned with local preferences for larger and more capable vehicles.
A conversion focused on functionality
The transformation of the Duster into a pickup truck is a specialty of Romturingia, which has already carried out adaptations in previous generations of the SUV. Esta, however, is the first time that the conversion has been applied to the new platform model, characterized by a pragmatic approach. The decision not to lengthen the chassis or wheelbase simplifies the production process and contains costs, in line with the cost-benefit philosophy of the Dacia brand. Essa choice, however, directly impacts the dimensions of the bed, which becomes more compact compared to traditional pickup trucks, defining its purpose for specific and urban uses.
The focus of the project is to offer an agile, economical and efficient work tool. With a payload capacity of up to 430 kg, the Duster pickup truck is ideal for transporting tools, small equipment or goods in urban deliveries. The bucket, despite its modest dimensions, is equipped with a protective coating and anchor points, ensuring the safety of the transported items. The target audience is small companies, service providers and fleet owners looking for a vehicle with lower operating costs and greater versatility than a compact van, especially in difficult-to-access terrain.
Compact design and bucket details
Visually, the Duster pickup maintains the identical front part as the SUV, with its tapered LED headlights and the robust grille that characterizes the new visual identity of the Dacia. The modifications focus on the vehicle’s central column, where the rear roof and side windows were removed to make room for an open cargo bed. The engineering solution adopted includes a new rear panel for the cabin with a porthole window, protecting the occupants. The bucket lid has a conventional opening and the cargo compartment measures 1.05 meters long by 1 meter wide, dimensions that limit its use for larger volumes, but are sufficient for the market niche for which it is intended.
Despite its appearance, which at first glance may seem peculiar, the conversion’s finish is of high quality, seeking to harmoniously integrate the bucket with the original lines of the Duster. Essa feature reinforces that the vehicle is not just a utility vehicle, but also a stylish alternative for those seeking exclusivity. Maintaining the original platform preserves the SUV’s dynamic qualities, such as drivability and comfort, making it a pleasant vehicle for daily use, both at work and leisure.
Electrified engine options
The Duster pickup truck inherits the modern engines of the European SUV, with a strong call for electrification to meet the continent’s strict emissions standards. One of the main versions is the Mild Hybrid, which combines a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo engine with 130 hp and a 48-volt electrical system. Este set is associated with a six-speed manual transmission and a 4×4 traction system, which expands the vehicle’s capacity on different types of terrain.
The micro-hybrid system assists the combustion engine during acceleration, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, without compromising performance. Essa technology is particularly effective in urban traffic and on routes that require constant stopping and starting.
The other option available is the Hybrid 140, a full hybrid configuration. Ela uses a 1.6-liter gasoline engine from the Atkinson cycle, which works in conjunction with an electric motor, delivering a combined power of 140 hp. Nesta version, the transmission is automatic and the drive is exclusively front-wheel drive, with a total focus on energy efficiency for urban and highway use, allowing the vehicle to run in 100% electric mode for short periods.
Both engines reflect Dacia’s strategy of offering accessible and relevant technology, providing European consumers with options that balance performance, economy and environmental sustainability.
4×4 traction differentials
The availability of 4×4 traction in the mild hybrid version is one of the biggest attractions of the European Duster pickup, giving it a rare versatility in the light utility segment. Essa functionality considerably expands the vehicle’s field of use, making it capable of tackling unpaved roads, rough terrain or adverse weather conditions, such as snow and ice, common in different parts of Europa. Para a professional audience, such as farmers, civil engineers or technicians working in the field, the off-road capability combined with the economy of a hybrid engine represents an important competitive advantage. The system allows the vehicle to travel with agility both in the city and in rural environments, without compromising energy efficiency or the ability to overcome moderate obstacles. The driving mode selector offers options such as Auto, Snow (snow),
The scenario of the Renault pickups in the Brasil
The reality of the Duster pickup truck in the Europa contrasts sharply with the Renault strategy for the Brazilian pickup truck market, which is much more focused on volume, size and load capacity. No Brasil, the brand was a pioneer in the intermediate pickup truck segment with the Oroch, launched in 2015 as a derivative of the first generation Duster. The Oroch has established itself as a robust and versatile option, offering 1.6 aspirated engines and the modern 1.3 TCe turbo flex, catering to a public that seeks more space than a small pickup truck, but without the size of a medium pickup truck.
For the future, the Renault’s plans are even more ambitious with the arrival of the Niagara pickup, scheduled to be produced in the Argentina from 2026. The new Este model, based on the CMF-B modular platform, will be larger and more sophisticated than the The Niagara promises to bring a hybrid engine and 4×4 traction, positioning the Renault at a higher level in the competitive South American pickup truck market.
Production and availability at Europa
It is important to note that the Duster pickup truck is not a series production model of the Dacia or the Renault. Trata has a specialist conversion carried out by Romturingia, available to order only. Este business model limits its scale and transforms it into a niche product, with production adapted to the specific demand of customers looking for this exclusive configuration. The sale is targeted at specific Europa markets where there is a demand for this type of compact and customized utility vehicle.
A history of adaptations
The Romturingia has a long tradition of modifying Dacia vehicles, especially the Duster. The company had already created pickup versions of the previous generation of the SUV, meeting a constant demand in the region for a compact, robust and low-cost utility vehicle. The continuity of the project with the new Duster demonstrates the commercial viability of this adaptation and the strength of the partnership between the two Romanian companies. The experience accumulated over the years allowed the preparer to improve the conversion process, presenting in the current model a superior level of finish and better integration between the cabin and the bucket.
