- Dacia Lodgy, 2013
Dacia is flouting convention by offering genuine five- and seven-seater variants of the new Dacia Lodgy from just €9,900, a revolutionary price for a car of this type.
SPACIOUS AND PRACTICAL
Lodgy is stamped with Dacia's trademark DNA: unbeatable value for money, reliability and practicality. Measuring 4.5 metres in length and 1.75 in width, Dacia Lodgy's contours and proportions above all reflect its size and strength. With the grille moulded around the Dacia logo and sharp lines that highlight the sculptured wheel arches, Lodgy provides a preview of Dacia's new corporate look. Optimal use of Lodgy's generous external dimensions has created a roomy interior, with the result that each of its seven seats can accommodate a passenger in total comfort. The third row features class-leading space in terms of knee and head room (144 and 866mm respectively), which is more than enough to seat two adults comfortably. The two rearmost seats are equipped with Isofix fittings, so that child seats and booster cushions can be attached safely and securely. Lodgy's modular interior is particularly versatile. In seven-seat configuration, the third-row bench seat can be removed completely or else folded up against the front seat backs, depending on the requirements of the moment.
The size of Dacia Lodgy's spacious boot will not come as a surprise to those who are familiar the Dacia brand. Indeed, it one of the biggest in its segment, with capacity ranging from 2,617dm3 in two-seat configuration, to 827dm3 as a five-seater and 207dm3 when all seven seats are installed. Lodgy also features 30 litres of storage space in the cabin, in the form of various pockets and cubbies. Of particular note are the new, three-litre area on top of the dashboard and, in the back, a drinks holder and large storage pocket.
A DACIA FOR THE TODAY'S GENERATION
Dacia Lodgy heralds the arrival of a new generation of Dacia vehicles, a range that will benefit from attractively designed interiors and modern equipment. Great care has been taken to express the cars' inherent strengths, with sophisticated materials featuring ever more widely as you move up the range (notably chrome detailing), high quality fit-and-finish and ergonomically placed controls. In line with Dacia's philosophy, standard features are added in a straightforward, comprehensible manner as you move up the range. As always, the specification is carefully tailored to stick as closely as possible to what customers really want.
Innovative, practical technology
Dacia Lodgy features a brand-new multimedia system: MEDIA NAV. Competitively priced in the brand's tradition, at an unbeatable €430, MEDIA NAV incorporates a radio, auxiliary sockets (for MP3 players, etc), Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation via a seven-inch (18cm) touch-sensitive display. The main menu permits simple access to six essential functions: radio, media, telephone, route map, satellite navigation and settings. Thanks to Bluetooth® technology, drivers can make hands-free telephone calls and synchronise their contacts book and previous call registry. It is also possible to audio-stream remote music players through the car's own speaker system. Furthermore, there is the option of connecting an iPod or smartphone through USB or jack sockets located on the dash panel. They can be operated via either the touch-sensitive display or the steering wheel-mounted controls, while track titles are displayed on the MEDIA NAV screen.
The intuitive navigation system has both 2D and 3D (Birdview) graphics. A dedicated website enables drivers to access information updates and upload them via the USB port.
In keeping with the spirit of the Dacia brand, which makes a point of providing customers with equipment they really need, a second multimedia option is available: Dacia-Plug&Radio.
This system features a new radio with large screen, an MP3-compatible CD player, Bluetooth® technology, dash-mounted USB and jack sockets and steering wheel-mounted fingertip remote controls.
Dacia Lodgy incorporates another feature that is new to the Dacia range - a speed limiter, available on higher trim specifications. This device permits drivers to programme a maximum speed they do not want to exceed, enabling journeys to be completed in stress-free safety.
And while on the subject of giving customers a range of technology suited to their needs, some versions of Lodgy are fitted with rear parking sensors - a practical touch on large vehicles of this type.
A REVISED ENGINE RANGE
Dacia Lodgy is available with a selection of petrol and diesel engines that suit the needs of customers in all the countries where the model is marketed. There are two petrol engines: the 1.6 MPI and the new, turbocharged TCe 115 with direct fuel injection. The TCe 115 represents the Renault Group's very best petrol engine technology, including the turbocharged, direct-injection combination first introduced with the Mégane and Scénic Collection 2012 line-ups. With its 1.2-litre capacity, but the kind of performance more usually associated with a 1.6, the TCe 115 combines an impressive driving experience with excellent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. There are also two diesels, both based on the 1.5 dCi block that has received worldwide acclaim for its reliability and performance. The dCi 90 and dCi 110 powerplants qualify for the Dacia eco² signature - a symbol of low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Widely acknowledged by customers and the media, reliability is a core element of Dacia Lodgy's DNA. Like other members of the Dacia family, the newcomer benefits from technology that is well proven on other Renault Group vehicles. During pre-launch endurance tests, the equivalent of 1.9 million kilometres was covered in extremely demanding climates and conditions: the result is a car with a comprehensive range of features and peerless reliability.