Dacia Duster ready for the challenge of Morocco's Rallye Aicha des Gazelles

Duster, Dacia's new rugged, spacious and affordable off-road vehicle, which is currently on display at the Geneva Motor Show, is to take part in the 20th anniversary Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in Morocco (March 15-28).

The sand dunes of the Sahara Desert and the mountainous terrain of the Atlas foothills will provide Dacia Duster with a first class opportunity to showcase its off-road ability, as well as its strength and reliability.

Two Renault group employees who have played active roles in the Duster project will contest the event at the wheel of two Dacia Duster 4x4s:

    - Isabelle CHARLES (car N°315), 47, in charge of colours and materials design for Dacia Duster.

-     Nathalie DESCOUT (car N°316), 28, in charge of Dacia Duster's global advertizing campaign.

The two Dacia crews will also take part in the eco-driving challenge which will award prizes to the three crews who emit the smallest amounts of CO2 during the 2010 Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles.

The two Dacia Duster 4x4s taking part in the rally are powered by the more environmentally-respectful dCi 85 diesel engine: Dacia Duster 4x4 dCi 85 emits just 140g of CO2/km, which qualifies it for the Dacia eco² hallmark.

The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles is Dacia's second foray into the world of motor sport.

Like the Trophée Andros ice-racing series, the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles is a unique competition which fits perfectly with the spirit that prevails at Dacia, a brand that likes to challenge established automotive thinking.

    The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles is:

    - the only all-lady motor sport event,

- an original approach to motor sport: rather than outright speed, the emphasis is on covering the shortest distance possible,

- based on basic tools: the Gazelles can use two items of equipment, a compass and a map (1:100,000 and 1:250,000 scale),

- based on strategy and thinking on one's feet: the Gazelles take the lie of the land into account to choose their own itinerary between the mandatory checkpoints.

Morocco is a key market for Dacia. It is the country's second best-selling brand – just after Renault - with a market share of 16.5 per cent, while Logan is Morocco's best-selling model.

By July 2010, Dacia Duster will be available for sale across Europe, Turkey and the Maghreb region. The new model delivers an unbeatable equipment/specification/interior space package for its price, with tax-paid prices starting at less than €12,000. Order books opened at the beginning of March in the majority of its markets.

After taking part in this winter's Trophée Andros ice-racing series, Dacia Duster is about to tackle the cocktail of sand dunes and mountainous terrain provided by this year's Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles (March 15-28). The event starts in Erfoud and is based on a format of six legs, for a total distance of more than 2,500km through the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert in southern Morocco.

The two Dacia Dusters that will take part in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles will both be four-wheel drive versions. Dacia Duster is a genuine 4x4 that will take the different challenges thrown at competitors during the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in its stride. It was designed to be driven on all types of terrain, anywhere in the world, and offers real off-road ability thanks to its:

   1 - ground clearance raised by 210mm,

   2 - short front and rear overhangs (822mm and 820 mm respectively),

   3 - big approach and departure angles (30 and 36 degrees respectively).

Dacia Duster 4x4 is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox with a very short first ratio (5.79kph per 1,000rpm). This solution allows it to travel at very slow speeds on uneven terrain, and improves starting performance from standstill with heavy loads or on steep slopes.

The 4x4 control –from Nissan - located on the lower part of the centre console will allow Dacia's two Gazelles to adapt the vehicle’s configuration to their needs of the moment. This simple and easy-to-use control permits three modes:

- AUTO mode: the front/rear torque split is calculated automatically as a function of available grip. This mode has been developed to provide the best compromise between road holding and traction, no matter what the level of grip may be. In normal conditions, the torque is transmitted through the front wheels only. If traction is lost some of the torque is transferred to the rear wheels. This split is performed by an electromagnetic torque converter supplied by Nissan.

- LOCK mode: the driver electronically locks the transmission in 4x4 mode. In this mode, throttle control and braking are both adapted to off-road use. This mode is recommended on difficult terrain and non-metalled road surfaces (rough ground, dirt, mud, sand).

- 2WD mode: the transmission is locked into two-wheel drive. This mode is suited to driving on dry roads with good grip and permits fuel consumption – and consequently CO2 emissions – to be minimized.

Dacia Duster is easy to drive. Its weight (1,288kg in the case of the 4x4 dCi 85 version) is very low for its size. Thanks to its compact dimensions, Dacia Duster is particularly nimble, too. Its roomy interior will also be a big trump card for Dacia's Gazelles who will have no problems stashing away their camping gear, spare parts, spare wheel, food and water, etc.

THE TWO DACIA DUSTER CREWS ON THE 2010 RALLYE AÏCHA DES GAZELLES

Car N° 315

Driver: Isabelle CHARLES

Born November 28, 1962. Isabelle Charles studied painting at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris before moving on to the Transport Design department of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Appliqués et des Métiers d’Art (ENSAAMA). In 1989, she joined Renault's Design Department at the Technocentre, in Guyancourt, near Paris, where she has been responsible for a number of colours and materials design projects (Formula 1 car, etc.). Her work has more recently involved the Dacia range, including Duster.

Isabelle Charles is a big rally fan, and this will be her fifth attempt at the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles. In 2007, she finished 10th (4x4 class).

Co-driver: Dounia BENNANI

Born May 5, 1969. After obtaining a degree at Casablanca's Ecole d’Optiques, Dounia Bennani now works as an optician in Meknes, Morocco. She, too, is a big rally fan and will this year be starting the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles for the sixth time. In 2007, Dounia Bennani came fifth (4x4 class).

Car N°316

Driver: Nathalie DESCOUT

Born January 22, 1982, in Versailles (France). Nathalie Descout obtained a degree in marketing and communications at Paris IX Dauphine University. From 2004 to 2007, she worked as customer intelligence manager in Renault Spain's marketing department. In 2007, she moved to Renault's head office in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris, where she now works for the worldwide marketing department as worldwide advertising project manager.

Co-driver: Dorothée TOPIN

Born April 26, 1981, in Maisons-Laffitte (France). Dorothée Topin obtained a degree in marketing at Paris IX Dauphine University. In 2006, she joined the JIPO group (now Novedia) where she works as a marketing consultant, specializing in telecommunications.

Information about the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles can be found at www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com

It will be possible to keep track of the performance and results of the two Dacia crews in their respective Dusters on the rally's own website, which goes live from March 18 to 26.

The prize-giving ceremony will be held in Essaouira, on March 27.