GIVEN THAT DACIA is only just releasing its first hybrid model, it's safe to say the brand is late to the electrification party, but that tardiness is entirely intentional. In a recent interview with What Car?, Dacia boss Denis Le Vot explained that keeping costs affordable for its customers is the brand's number one priority and it would therefore turn to hybrid power only when the technology was deemed cheap enough.
So, was it worth the wait? Well, the hybrid set-up in the Jogger is borrowed from established Renault E-Tech models such as the Clio and Captur. It consists of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors and a four-speed automatic gearbox.
Those electric motors give the hybrid a healthy 28bhp boost over the petrol Jogger 1.0 TCe, shaving 1.1sec off the 0-62mph time (down to 10.1sec), but in reality it doesn't feel significantly quicker than the regular car. Put your foot down and it takes a long time for the gearbox to react and drop down to a lower gear, and even then, the long gears (remember, there are only four of them) mean that you only really get going when you finally reach the top of the rev range. Do this and you'll also notice a fairly prominent drone from under the bonnet.
The hybrid is at its happiest around town, where you can cruise around on a wave of electric power; Dacia claims that you'll spend up to 80% of your time running on electric power alone in urban environments. The absence of a clutch pedal makes the hybrid a much easier inner-city companion than the 1.0 TCe, although stopping smoothly can be tricky. That's because the regenerative braking system (which harvests energy under deceleration to extend the car's electric-only capability) causes inconsistent responses when you press the brake pedal.
Bu hikaye What Car? UK dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye What Car? UK dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Vauxhall Mokka 1.2 Turbo 136 GS
The Mokka is hot stuff in the sales charts, but does it deserve to be everyone's cup of tea? Let's find out
MG 4 VS TESLA MODEL 3 DO YOU GET MORE FOR LESS?
The new MG 4 Extended Range costs thousands less than the cheapest Tesla Model 3, yet it has a longer official range. Is that game over for the Tesla?
SAVER OF THE MONTH
These plug-in hybrid SUVS can all save you money on running costs, especially if you're a company car driver But which one will net you the most interest in return?
VOLVO EX30
As the Swedish brand enters uncharted territory with its smallest electric SUV yet, we ask the members of our reader jury to issue their verdicts
Vauxhall Corsa Electric
Small electric hatchback is brought up to date, gaining a slightly bigger battery option On sale Now Price from £32,445
Peugeot e-308
New electric family hatchback puts a French twist on the Vauxhall Astra Electric's recipe On sale Now Price from £40,050
BMW iX2
Electric coupé SUV promises up to 279 miles of range and will be joined by a new petrol-engined X2 On sale March 2024 Price from £56,540
Volkswagen ID Golf
Popular family hatchback gets electric power for an official range of up to 400 miles On sale 2027 Price from 33,000 est)
Citroën e-C3
Small hatchback is reinvented with electric power and an affordable price On sale Early 2024 Price from £22,000 (est)
BMW i5
Electric version of BMW's next 5 Series executive car guns for the Mercedes-Benz EQE On sale Now Price from £74,105