With more horsepower and electric support: a good year after the introduction of the compact station wagon Jogger, Dacia is handing over the strengthened top model of the series. How is the new one driving?
Jogger, that sounds like perseverance, dynamism and asceticism. The car of the same name from Dacia, on the other hand, sees itself more as a master of versatility: as a station wagon it is the legitimate successor to the Logan MCV, as a seven-seater (optional) it follows in the footsteps of the Lodgy minivan. But at the presentation last year, some interested parties criticized the narrow range of engines, which initially only consisted of the 110 hp petrol engine and the liquid gas version with 100 hp. Diesel? none. An automatic would be nice too. The Dacia people promise to remedy the situation. ,
In fact, less than twelve months later we can drive a Jogger that has been boosted to 141 hp, which is also the first Dacia with a hybrid drive. We know the latter from Clio & Co, it combines a gentle four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with a starter generator and the clutchless multimode transmission, to which a 36 kW electric motor is docked. The ensemble has a system output of 104 kW or 141 hp in old currency. In the Jogger Hybrid, they have an unladen weight of at least 1,432 kilograms (seven-seater: 1,460 kg), which corresponds to an increase of 180 kg compared to the TCe 110.
Maximum 205 Nm
In addition to the more complex drive unit, some of the additional pounds are due to the drive battery with a capacity of 1.2 kWh, which is conveniently located in the basement directly in front of the rear axle and does not restrict the loading volume there, nor the option for seven seats costs. Otherwise there are no differences to the other versions at first glance. The special features of the hybrid jogger only become apparent in the cockpit: seven-inch digital speedometer with specific displays, automatic selector lever including gear "B" for stronger recuperation and the switch for the electric parking brake. ,
When the key is turned, the jogger comes to life, but remains silent at first. Because starting always takes over the E-department, a maximum of 205 Nm are available for this and enable lively starts at traffic lights. The petrol engine only joins in when the multimode box has the right gear ready. As in the Clio, this works quite harmoniously and mostly without jerks, even with load changes, since the electric motor properly compensates for interruptions in traction. Changes in drive mode are audible rather than tactile, and if you listen closely you can occasionally make out the working noise of the transmission.
Less than five liters per 100 km
But what happens on the consumption display on the way is more exciting: Values well below five liters per 100 km are not uncommon for moderate overland driving, only because of the motorway share it is not enough for our first tour a four cut.In city traffic, the hybrid jogger surprisingly often drives purely electrically, Dacia states up to 80 percent here. But the jogger is properly assembled, doesn't rattle and, as a seven-seater hybrid, springs a little softer than the lighter base thanks to the extra weight on the rear axle. ,
Speaking of extra weight - the same applies to this jogger: if you regularly use up the loading volume and don't just transport foam or cut flowers, you would do well to order the station wagon as a seven-seater (+1,000 euros). Because it can load significantly more, namely 535 instead of a measly 393 kg. Whether it also has to be the hybrid is another matter, as it costs 7,000 euros more than the sparsely equipped LPG base (5,200 euros with the same equipment). But it's also stronger, more economical and a little more comfortable. ,
Conclusion
25,000 euros for a Dacia - that sounds unusually expensive, but 25,000 euros is a real bargain for a spacious family car with a hybrid drive when new. And with the (few) competitors there are only conventional drives at this course.
