Dacia Bigster Mild Hybrid G-140: how the game-changing SUV performs
Three-cylinder turbocharged 140 hp engine, petrol/LPG dual fuel system and 48 volt mild-hybrid system. We tested it on a trip from Milan to Val Seriana, between motorway, city and mountain bends.
by Danilo Loda
With the Bigster Mild Hybrid G-140, Dacia moves up a category and tackles the medium SUV segment head-on, where the likes of the Qashqai, Tucson and 3008 are playing. But it does it its way: no frills, lots of substance. Just over 4.6 metres long, with strong lines and a clean silhouette, the Bigster looks like the Duster's big sister, but with more adult ambitions.
Under the bonnet is the new 140-horsepower 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine, combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and dual petrol/LPG power supply. It is an almost unique combination on the current scene, combining efficiency, low running costs and performance appropriate for a family suv. Top speed is 180 km/h, while fuel consumption remains low, especially in LPG mode, where CO₂ emissions are reduced by around 10 per cent compared to a conventional petrol.
Discreet but concrete technology
The Dacia mild-hybrid does not try to impress with graphics or contrived driving modes: it only intervenes when needed. The small electric motor assists during starts and acceleration, while the 0.84 kWh battery recharges during braking and deceleration. The transition between petrol and LPG is practically imperceptible, a sign of mature technical refinement.
The LPG tank is located under the luggage compartment floor and does not penalise the 612 litre capacity, a value at the top of its category. With two tanks of 50 litres each, the Bigster claims a combined range of 1,450 kilometres. A figure that, in practice, translates into fewer stops, less refuelling anxiety and a freedom of movement that few SUVs can offer today.
