Dacia has announced details of its first hybrid-electric model, an electrified version of its Jogger seven-seater. The hybrid version is due to go on sale in Ireland shortly.
The addition of a hybrid to the line-up represents a "leap" for Dacia according to the company's vice-president for product performance, Lionel Jaillet.
Hybrid system
Dubbed the Jogger Hybrid 140, the new variant employs a non-turbocharged 90hp 1.6-litre petrol engine combined with a pair of electric motors (one a starter-generator like in a mild-hybrid, the other a 50hp unit driving the front wheels) to develop a total maximum of 140hp.
At 1.2kWh, the hybrid's battery is small, but, the company says, it's still enough to allow the Jogger to spend 80 per cent of its time on urban roads in fully-electric mode, saving up to 40 per cent on fuel compared to an equivalent petrol-only model. Dacia's quoted acceleration time of 0-100km/h in 10.1 seconds is likely to matter much less to buyers than its fuel consumption figure of 4.9 litres/100km (that's 56.5mpg in old money); CO2 emissions too come in at a relatively trim 112g/km.
The hybrid Jogger's transmission is fully automatic and can be switched between modes depending on the prevailing driving conditions or the driver's preferred style. "Brake" mode, for example, amps up the regenerative braking in order to recover more energy and facilitate less pressure being applied to the brake pedal.
Trim levels
The hybrid Jogger will be available in two trims - Expression and Extreme SE - both of which can be optioned in hybrid-exclusive Shadow Grey metallic paint.
The Expression line includes front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, blind-spot warning, keyless entry, heated and electrically-adjustable door mirrors, automatic wipers and automatic air conditioning as standard. Its infotainment system is based around an eight-inch touchscreen featuring Bluetooth, four speakers and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring.
Extreme SE tops the hybrid Jogger line-up and adds 16-inch black alloy wheels, heated front seats, an upgraded infotainment system incorporating a navigation function and an extra two speakers.
Both models also feature a seven-inch digital instrument cluster displaying information such as the level of battery charge left and the remaining electric-only range.
Supplementing Dacia's standard three-year warranty on all cars, the Jogger hybrid's battery also comes with an eight-year guarantee.
Irish pricing and delivery
Irish pricing for the Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140 has yet to be confirmed as has the projected delivery window, though the model is expected to hit Ireland's showrooms towards the middle of this year.