Renault’s low-cost Dacia brand has shown off a dual-cab ute and van version of the Duster SUV overseas, but sparked some big questions about overall utility.
The Dacia Duster, sold in Australia as the Renault Duster, has had its range expanded overseas with the addition of a dual-cab ute model in its home market of Romania, and a van version for the UK.
But, rather than a dedicated dual-cab body with an extended rear tray and serious carrying credentials, the Duster dual-cab appears to be more of a quick shortcut to a finished product.
Instead of a full factory-built model, the Duster ute is converted by Romanian firm Romturingia, which previously converted the second-generation Duster into a much more convincing single-cab ute.
The new Duster ute conversion sees the five-door SUV profile remain intact up to the D-pillar, leaving the front and rear doors, and rear side glass untouched.
The roof has been cut away from just behind the glasshouse, leaving only a short section of the rear exposed.
Romturingia has converted the tailgate into a traditional bottom-hinged ute tailgate, and uses a set of black plastic trims to cover the cut-away sections around the roof and sides of the body.
The resulting tub is quite compact, but still features an impact-resistant plastic liner.
The cargo bay measures 1050mm long and 1000mm wide, roughly 414mm shorter and 520mm narrower than a dual-cab Ford Ranger.
Payload is rated at 430kg, accounting for occupants and cargo – less than half that of a typical body-on-frame dual-cab ute sold in Australia.
With no changes to the bodywork, the Duster ute occupies the same 4345mm-long footprint as the SUV version.
Dacia has had a more serious tilt at a compact ute previously, with the Duster Oroch, a factory-built dual-cab version of the Duster with an extended wheelbase and more practical tub.
Originally designed for South America, Renault had previously flagged interest in the Oroch for Australia, but concerns over making the emerging-market model suitable for sale in Australia kept the Duster Oroch out of reach for local buyers.
The new third-generation Duster has not yet been unveiled with an Oroch variant, with the first Oroch, based on the second-generation Duster, selling alongside the new Duster range.
Pricing for the Duster dual-cab starts from €25,983 ($AU46,320), whereas the Australian Renault Duster range starts from $31,990 before on-road costs.
UK buyers, meanwhile, get access to a potentially more practical Duster variant.
Following in he footsteps of vehicles like the Suzuki Jimny and Toyota LandCruiser Prado, the Duster Cargo retains the bodywork of the regular SUV but with a stripped-out rear section designed for use as a commercial vehicle.
A flat wood-panelled floor, mesh cargo barrier, and a two-seater cabin allow the Duster to qualify as a commercial vehicle according to UK regulations and take advantage of tax advantages applied to goods-carrying vehicles.
The Duster cargo range starts from £22,995, or $AU47,115, compared to the £19.380 ($AU39,700) starting price of the base SUV model, making the Australian model something of a bargain by comparison.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
