A new and unusual pickup 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. The bucket capacity is limited, but the functionality and onboard technology position it as a practical solution for the needs of the European continent.
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 greater volume, reinforcing 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. However, this is the first time that the new platform model has been converted, 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.
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, despite being 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 more 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 the robust grille that characterizes 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 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 may seem peculiar at first glance, the conversion’s finish is of high quality, seeking to integrate the bucket harmoniously into the lines of the Duster. Essa feature reinforces that the vehicle is not just a utility vehicle, but a stylish alternative for those seeking exclusivity.
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. Essa 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 range 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, offering a versatility that few compact commercial vehicles can deliver on the current market.
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.
In the 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, the plans are even more ambitious with the arrival of Niagara.
Production and availability at Europa
It is important to highlight that the Duster pickup truck is not a series production model of the Dacia or Renault. Trata is a specialized conversion carried out by Romturingia, available to order, which limits its scale and makes it a niche product, with production adjusted to the specific demand of customers seeking 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 cabin and bucket.
