Dacia, a Romanian subsidiary that is part of Grupo Renault, recently made a strategic update to its engine portfolio official, reaffirming its commitment to alternative fuels. The manufacturer denied rumors about the discontinuation of its Gás Liquefeito and Petróleo (GLP) propellants, announcing, on the contrary, a significant investment in the modernization of this technology. The brand seeks to consolidate its position in the European market by offering solutions that balance affordable costs and reduced emissions, keeping combustion engines relevant in the energy transition scenario.
The automaker’s move comes at a crucial time for the automotive industry, where environmental requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. Para To meet these demands without abandoning its price-sensitive customer base, the company has developed a new generation of engines that integrate the use of gas with electrification systems. Essa approach aims to extend the useful life of combustion vehicles, ensuring compliance with current and future emissions standards.
The strategy presented by the brand involves the application of technologies that increase the thermal and mechanical efficiency of the propellants. By combining the cleaner burning of LPG with electrical support, the Dacia is able to deliver vehicles with a lower carbon footprint compared to models powered exclusively by gasoline, without the need for immediate migration to fully electric systems, which still have high costs for the entry-level segment.
This decision reinforces Dacia’s identity as a pragmatic brand, focused on offering what the consumer really needs. The maintenance and evolution of the line of gas engines demonstrates a market reading where autonomy and low operating costs continue to be decisive factors for purchase, especially in regions where the electric charging infrastructure is still under development.
Technical evolution and mild hybridization
The central pillar of this new phase is the introduction of an unprecedented 1.2 turbo engine, designed to operate with a 48V mild-hybrid system. Esta power unit represents a significant technological leap compared to the brand’s previous engines, incorporating an optimized combustion cycle that maximizes the energy use of both gasoline and gas. The 48V technology acts as support for the thermal engine in moments of greater effort, such as starts and restarts, relieving the load and reducing consumption.
The new mechanical configuration will allow popular models such as the Sandero, Jogger and Duster, as well as the new Bigster SUV, to benefit from superior performance. The brand’s engineering team worked to ensure that the new engine delivers 120 horsepower in its initial versions, with future calibrations that could reach up to 150 horsepower. Essa power flexibility ensures that the engine can equip compact vehicles up to the largest sports utility vehicles in the range, maintaining the agility necessary for daily and road use.
Another important innovation linked to this new engine is the adoption of an automated dual-clutch transmission (EDC). The coupling of this gearbox to the gas hybrid system aims to provide faster and smoother gear changes, raising driving comfort to a higher level. The combination of turbo, direct injection, auxiliary electrical system and modern gearbox positions the Dacia competitively, offering a technical package that was previously restricted to brands with higher positioning within the group.
The engine architecture was also designed to enable 4×4 traction, an essential feature for the Duster and the future Bigster. Diferente compared to previous systems that compromised efficiency in all-wheel drive versions, the new hybrid set manages power distribution intelligently, ensuring off-road capability without drastically sacrificing fuel economy, a balance difficult to achieve in purely combustion vehicles.
Extended autonomy and storage capacity
One of the big differences announced for the new line of vehicles is the substantial increase in total autonomy. Dacia revised the design of the fuel tanks, making better use of the space available on the CMF-B platform. The LPG tank, which previously held around 40 liters, was expanded to a capacity of close to 50 liters. Essa change, although it may seem subtle, has a direct impact on the vehicle’s usability for long journeys.
When the capacity of the gasoline tank is added to the new gas reservoir, vehicles equipped with this technology will be able to achieve a total autonomy of more than 1,500 kilometers. Esse number places the brand’s models in a prominent position in the market, surpassing the vast majority of conventional diesel and hybrid vehicles currently available. Para the consumer who uses the car for work or long trips, this feature drastically reduces the need for fuel stops.
The installation of the tanks was carried out so as not to compromise internal space or trunk volume. The gas reservoir continues to be installed in the location originally intended for the spare tire, a solution that preserves the versatility of the brand’s familiar models, such as the Jogger station wagon. System integration has been refined to guarantee total safety in the event of a collision, following strict European homologation standards.
Environmental context and regulatory compliance
The continued commitment to LPG is not just a matter of market preference, but a calculated strategy to meet environmental goals. The use of gas allows an immediate reduction of approximately 10% in CO2 emissions compared to gasoline, in addition to emitting significantly fewer particulates that are harmful to health. Para to Dacia, this technology works as a vital tool to keep your fleet’s average emissions within the limits imposed by União Europeia, avoiding heavy fines.
The development of this new engine family is in line with the future Euro 7 standard, which will require even stricter pollutant controls. By partially electrifying the gas engine, the automaker is able to mitigate emissions during the most critical phases of engine operation, such as cold starting and urban acceleration. Isso guarantees the commercial viability of combustion models until the deadline of 2035, established for the total transition to zero-emission vehicles in Europa.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the Eco-G technology, as it is commercially called by the brand, offers a direct economic advantage to the owner. The cost of LPG in Europa is considerably lower than that of gasoline and diesel, which makes the cost per kilometer driven extremely attractive. Dacia, by democratizing access to this hybrid technology, reinforces its social role of offering accessible and environmentally responsible mobility, without forcing an abrupt technological transition for its customers.
