DACIA MAKES A BIGSTER SPLASH

Value brand’s upscaled SUV receives manual petrol powertrain option

- SAM PHILLIPS

Dacia's chunky new large SUV, the Bigster, has gained a base variant with a manual petrol powertrain — and we've driven it for the first time in the UK. Sitting beneath the Hybrid 155 and Mild Hybrid 130 4x4 in the Bigster lineup, the new Mild Hybrid 140 is mechanically almost identical to the entry-level Duster.

It gets off to a promising start, undercutting Far Eastern rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage on price. The newcomer is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine and 48V electrical system for a total output of 138bhp.

The hardware is identical to the three-pot that powers the Duster Mild Hybrid 130 but tuned to deliver 10bhp more, likely to offset the Bigster’s additional 135kg. Despite its extra heft, the Bigster saunters to 100kph in 9.8sec — only 0.1sec adrift of the Hybrid 155, which has the benefit of a proper electric drive motor.

Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. There's an easy throw to the lever and a clearly defined biting point to the clutch. There's little resistance or feel when shifting; doing so adds only a modicum of engagement to the driving experience. That being said, it pairs well with the engine: the ratios are fairly short, and if you pull out of a junction with verve, you will soon be grabbing second.