2 more awards for Dacia Duster

Just like its orderbank, Dacia’s Duster fanbase just keeps on climbing. This time, in less than a week, the “shockingly affordable” SUV’s chalked up awards from two of the UK’s best-known magazines, Top Gear and FHM. Testing its talents to the limit as part of its ‘Bargain of the Year 2012’ award feature, the intrepid Top Gear team took a 4×4 version to one of the most dangerous roads in the world, the Cañón del Pato (Duck Canyon), in a Peruvian stretch of the Andes. Their simple conclusion? “No car in the world offers more freedom for your quid than the Dacia Duster.” We couldn’t have put it better ourselves. After a dizzying trip ascending the narrow, dimly lit Peruvian roads, the plaudits continued with, “I’m pretty sure it nails the ride-handling balance better than cars at many times its price”. Or, simply, “we have subjected this simple, brilliant little car to punishment beyond anything that even Britain’s most abused Defender has endured.” Acknowledging the tough economic times, FHM had a similar thought process. Awarding it ‘Best for when you’re short on cash’, the plaudits came thick and fast, “as the economic fog swirls down our deserted high streets, the Dacia Duster arrives as a car of its time”. Or, our particular favourite, “it’s big, robust and good-looking”. Every model in the Dacia range offers impressive value-for-money. For the UK, Duster, priced from only £8,995 on-the-road will be joined in January 2013 by the Sandero supermini. The country’s most affordable new car, it kicks off at just £5,995. The adventurous Sandero Stepway supermini crossover is available to order from 1st January, again with a jaw-dropping price tag, prior to joining the fold in May. From a little under £8,000. From Motorin News