Dacia has revealed full details of its brand-new entry into the competitive C-segment with the official unveiling of the Dacia Striker.
Following on from the Dacia Bigster, which satisfies the demand for big, chunky SUVs in the family-oriented C-segment class, the Striker arrives for those who prefer a more conventional estate-style model.
Set to rival models like the Skoda Octavia Estate, MG HS and Nissan Qashqai, the Striker heralds a new direction for the Romanian company as it looks to protect its status as one of Europe’s best-selling marques.
Ambitiously, the Striker eschews the conventional C-segment entry by blending the practicality of an estate with the muscular appeal of an SUV.
Measuring 4.62m long, it is the largest car Dacia has ever built and while the Striker doesn’t fit a conventional mould, it will certainly cut a dash on the road with its plethora of sharp lines and rugged touches.
Wearing a fresh take on the familiar signature front-end worn by other Dacias, the Striker gets vertical LED lights that stretch either side of a squared-off front bumper.
Elsewhere, bold, stylised alloy wheels and flared wheelarches emphasise the raised ride-height, while the Striker’s estate-like shape is disguised by a rakish profile and split D-pillar that makes the roof look like it is floating.
Dacia Striker: Hybrid Engines, Economy and Performance
Under the bonnet will be the choice of two hybrid powertrains, one of which comes with full four-wheel drive capability.
The Hybrid 155 comprises a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 1.4kWh battery that will return approximately 60mpg and emit less than 100g/km of CO2.
For those who need the added versatility of four-wheel grip, the Hybrid 150 4x4 uses a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine combined with a 48V battery that acts as the small starter-generator motor.
Dacia Striker: Interior and Practicality
The rugged exterior design is reflected inside where the Striker gets a familiar but upgraded interior design.
As such, there is a combination of fabric and leatherette upholstery on the seating and the dashboard, not to mention Dacia’s signature copper detailing on the air vents.
There is also a liberal use of what Dacia terms as ‘Starkle’, a soft-touch material made from up to 20 per cent recycled polypropylene that is resistant to knocks and scratches that can be found inside and out.
As well as being flexible on the road, the Striker also puts impressive practicality at the heart of its unconventional design.
Able to accommodate five six-footers comfortably, the Striker also gets a huge 600-litres of boot space, which puts it almost on a par with the pricier Skoda Octavia Estate. Folding down the seats will offer up 1,600-litres of boot space.
More importantly, all of this comes with a remarkably budget focused price tag with the range starting at less than £25,000, which is set to make the Striker one of the best-value models on sale when it does hit the road later this summer.
.
- Dacia
- New Cars