THE DACIA DUSTER SUV range will start from just £8995 when the order books open tomorrow morning.

 

That’s not just cheap — it’s an absolute steal. Four-wheel-drive versions cost just £2000 more.

 

Tempted? The 127-strong Dacia dealer network has left-hand-drive demonstrators available, although you’ll have to kick the tyres rather than take a test drive since the demo cars are for static presentation only.

 

There’ll be three trim levels available when the first customer cars are delivered in January: Access, Ambiance and Lauréate. Buyers will have a choice of two engines: a 105hp petrol and a 110hp diesel.

 

Don’t be surprised if the Dacia name isn’t familiar. The brand is better known on mainland Europe. To date there’s been no right-hand-drive production of any Dacia model for the UK — the brand modestly claims that demand for left-hand-drive production has been too high. The Dacia brand is owned by Renault, so although the Duster is built in India, think of Dacia as the French company’s budget brand.

 

At these prices I can see strong demand for the car. The cost is so low that the product only has to be half decent to be worth considering.

 

I’ve already been in touch with Dacia to ask for a test car. The company told me: “the caravanning community will most definitely be part of our plans.” So watch this space.