Romanian automaker Dacia has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Gás Liquefeito of In a strategic move that aims to consolidate its leadership in the alternative fuels segment, the brand presented a robust roadmap that extends the offer of gas-powered vehicles beyond 2030, subject only to future União Europeia regulations. The confirmation was accompanied by the announcement of a new generation of more powerful and efficient thrusters, designed to equip the updated line of models such as the Sandero, Duster and Jogger.
The company’s decision comes as a direct response to market rumors that suggested a gradual discontinuation of LPG in favor of full electrification later this decade. The management of Dacia clarified that, while the energy transition advances, gas remains a pragmatic solution to reduce CO2 emissions in an affordable way. The technology, marketed under the ECO-G banner, will remain a central pillar of the brand’s strategy, offering a low operating cost option for consumers who are not yet able or unwilling to migrate to fully electric vehicles.
To support this vision, the manufacturer detailed significant technical updates coming to the market. The main focus is on improving the driving experience and vehicle versatility, eliminating old limitations associated with gas-powered cars. Innovations range from increasing the volumetric capacity of tanks to the introduction of automatic transmissions, meeting long-standing customer demands and raising the comfort standard of the range.
Mechanical evolution and increase in power
The highlight of the new phase of the Dacia is the introduction of an updated 1.2 turbo engine, capable of delivering 120 horsepower, replacing previous units that offered 100 horsepower. Este performance gain aims to provide a more agile response on roads and highways, ensuring that fuel savings do not result in a loss of performance. The brand’s engineering worked to optimize fuel burning, ensuring that the new engine maintains low emissions levels, strictly complying with current environmental standards.
Another major technical novelty is the unprecedented compatibility between LPG engines and the automatic dual-clutch transmission (EDC). Até At the time, buyers who opted for the gas version were restricted to manual transmission, which limited the product’s appeal in urban centers with heavy traffic. With the new configuration, models such as the Sandero Stepway and Jogger now offer the comfort of automatic gear shifting without giving up the savings provided by gas, significantly expanding the automaker’s target audience.
The mechanical integration has been refined so that the transition between the use of gasoline and gas is imperceptible to the driver. The injection system was recalibrated to prioritize the use of LPG whenever possible, maximizing financial efficiency per kilometer driven. Essa approach reinforces Dacia’s philosophy of offering functional technology, where innovation directly serves to reduce costs for the owner.
Record autonomy for long trips
Autonomy has always been a strong point of dual-fuel vehicles, but Dacia decided to take this parameter to a new level. The new models received LPG tanks with greater capacity, increasing from 40 liters to approximately 50 useful liters. While the increase may seem modest in absolute numbers, the impact on daily usability is considerable, allowing longer distances to be covered without the need for frequent refueling.
When combined with the gasoline tank, which remains unchanged, the dual fuel system allows the vehicles to achieve a total range of more than 1,500 kilometers. The Esse number positions the Dacia models as direct competitors to diesel vehicles in terms of road capacity, making them ideal for fleet owners and families on long trips. The ability to cross entire countries without stopping to refuel becomes an important competitive differentiator in a scenario where electric charging infrastructure is still under development in many regions.
The installation of the new tanks was designed not to compromise internal space or trunk volume. The toroidal reservoir remains positioned in the place reserved for the spare tire, maintaining the load versatility that is characteristic of the Duster and Jogger models. Essa engineering solution preserves the vehicle’s habitability, ensuring that the alternative fuel option does not require practical sacrifices on the part of the occupants.
Innovation with hybrid system and all-wheel drive
Looking at the top of the range, the Dacia is preparing to launch a sophisticated mechanical configuration for the Duster and the unprecedented Bigster. Trata has a 48V mild-hybrid system associated with the LPG engine, which will deliver a combined power of 150 horsepower. Esta version will feature 4×4 all-wheel drive, filling the gap left by the old high-power diesel versions and offering a robust alternative for off-road use.
The hybrid system acts to assist the combustion engine in moments of greatest effort, such as starts and restarts, reducing consumption and improving available torque. The combination of lightweight electrification with liquefied gas represents a smart engineering solution, as it combines two emissions reduction technologies to create a vehicle with a reduced carbon footprint and high traction capacity. The electric or mechanical rear differential, depending on the final configuration, will ensure that the vehicle maintains its off-road capabilities.
This new 150 horsepower engine replaces the old 130 horsepower engine, offering not only more power, but also smoother, quieter operation. The LPG hybridization strategy places Dacia in a unique position in the market, being one of the few manufacturers to invest in the continuous development of this energy matrix, while other brands abandon the segment to focus exclusively on battery-powered electric vehicles.
Strategic positioning and European market
Dacia’s insistence on LPG is not just a matter of technical preference, but a careful reading of the European market. In countries like Itália, França and Turquia, the gas supply infrastructure is vast and the price of fuel is significantly lower than that of gasoline or diesel. By guaranteeing production of these vehicles until 2030 and beyond, the brand ensures its relevance to a price-sensitive consumer base looking for immediate savings at the pump.
In addition to the economic benefit, ECO-G technology allows vehicles to receive favorable environmental labels in several European cities, guaranteeing access to low emission zones that restrict older or diesel cars. The reduction of approximately 10% in CO2 emissions, compared to an equivalent gasoline engine, and the almost non-existence of particulate emissions, reinforce the ecological argument of the technology.
With these updates, Dacia signals to the market that the energy transition does not need to be linear or unique. The coexistence of efficient combustion engines, hybrid systems and the use of alternative fuels such as LPG creates a diverse mobility scenario. The brand is betting that, by offering mature, reliable products with extended autonomy, it will continue to lead retail sales, delivering exactly what the average consumer needs for their daily reality.
