A new and unusual pickup truck version of the Duster was presented on the European market, the result of a specialized collaboration with the Romanian manufacturer Romturingia. The model, based on the latest generation of the SUV from Dacia, a subsidiary of Renault, stands out for maintaining the vehicle’s original structure, including the wheelbase, which results in a unique look and a proposal focused on specific market niches.
Equipped with hybrid engines and 4×4 traction, the pickup was designed to mainly serve companies and self-employed professionals who need a versatile vehicle to transport light loads. Although the capacity of the bucket is limited, the functionality and onboard technology position it as a practical solution to the demands of the European continent, combining the agility of an SUV with the utility of a small pickup truck.
While this news moves Europa, Renault prepares a different offensive for Brasil. The automaker plans to launch the Niagara pickup truck from 2026, a project developed to compete in a higher segment with higher volumes, strengthening the brand’s strategy for the South American market with a more robust product aligned with local preferences.
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 the new platform model has been converted, presenting 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.
The focus of the project is to offer an agile and efficient work tool. With a load capacity of up to 430 kg, the Duster pickup is ideal for transporting tools, small equipment or goods in urban deliveries. The bucket, even though it is modest in size, 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 a front identical to that of the SUV, with its tapered LED headlights and robust grille that characterize the new visual identity of the Dacia.
The modifications are concentrated in the vehicle’s central column. The rear roof and side windows were removed to make room for an open truck bed.
The engineering solution includes a new rear cabin panel with a porthole window, protecting 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.
Electrified engine options
The Duster pickup truck inherits the modern engines of the European SUV, with a strong appeal to electrification. One of the main versions is the Mild Hybrid, which combines a 1.2 three-cylinder turbo engine with 130 hp and a 48 volt electrical system.
This set is associated with a manual transmission and a 4×4 traction system, which increases the vehicle’s capacity on different types of terrain. The all-wheel drive system offers five selectable driving modes: Auto, Snow (snow), Mud/Sand (mud/sand), Off-Road and Eco.
This variety of settings allows the driver to adapt the vehicle’s behavior to road conditions, optimizing both performance and fuel consumption.
The other available option is the Hybrid 140, a fully hybrid configuration. Ela uses a 1.6 naturally aspirated gasoline engine that 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 use.
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 truck. 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 or engineers 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. Essa versatility is a differentiator that few compact commercial vehicles can offer in the current market, positioning the converted Duster as an extremely flexible and adaptable work tool to multiple operational needs.
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 and capacity. No Brasil, the brand was a pioneer in the intermediate pickup truck segment with the Oroch, launched in 2015. The Oroch established itself as a robust and versatile option, offering 1.6 aspirated engines and the modern 1.3 TCe turbo flex. Para the future, plans are even more ambitious with the arrival of the Niagara, scheduled for 2026. The new model will be built on a more modern and robust platform, designed to compete directly with market leaders such as the Fiat Toro and the future Chevrolet Montana, targeting a segment with greater volume and profitability. The Niagara will represent a significant leap in technology, design and size, completely distancing itself from the niche proposal of the Duster European pickup truck.
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 is a specialized conversion carried out by Romturingia, available to order, which limits its scale and consolidates it as a niche product, with production adjusted to the specific demand of customers looking for this exclusive configuration.
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 and robust utility vehicle.
The continuity of the project with the new Duster demonstrates the commercial viability of this adaptation. The experience accumulated over the years allowed the preparer to refine the conversion process, presenting in the current model a superior level of finish and better integration between the cabin and the bucket.
