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The Dacia Duster concept car that was designed by Renault Design Central Europe and presented in the same year at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, will be making a "real-world" showing at France's Trophée Andros ice-racing series in December 2009.

A specially-prepared competition version of the car has been given to Formula 1 driver Alain Prost, who will steer it through the challenges on each leg of the course. The race will likely serve as a test bed for Renault, who are expected to reveal a production version of the Duster at the 2010 Geneva show.

This will be Dacia's sixth model and is aimed at buyers who want an affordable, everyday all-terrain vehicle.

Cap on complex solutions

Dacia says this racing discipline also places a cap on excessively complex and costly technical solutions and items like the chassis, gearbox and tyres are all carefully covered by the regulations. "This forces teams to explore simple, ingenious solutions, an approach which totally fits the Dacia spirit," it adds.

Indications are that Dacia will retain the high body line and prominent wheel arches on the production model and the positioning of the A pillars that it says ensure superb foreword and lateral visibility.

The competition version of Dacia Duster was given its race treatment by Renault Sport Technologies. Its glass-fibre body conceals a tubular chassis that houses a three-litre, 24-valve V6 engine from the Renault-Nissan range.

What makes it go?

The engine, which drives a six-speed sequential transmission, has been tuned to operate best at high altitudes and puts out peak power of 257kW at 7500rpm and maximum torque of 360Nm at 5500rpm. Its mid-rear placement evenly distributes weight and keeps the vehicle's centre of gravity low.

Double-wishbone suspension and long-travel dampers let the Duster tackle any variety of terrain it will encounter during the race. Limited slip differentials ensure efficient traction, irrespective of the amount of grip available from each wheel.

Specifications

Engine

Fuel tank capacity: 25 litres

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