Dacia Duster impressed two judging panels from two of the UK’s best-known magazines

The Dacia Duster has impressed not one, but two judging panels from two of the UK’s best-known magazines FHM and Top Gear, with FHM awarding it ‘Best for when you’re short on cash’. In their recent press release, Dacia describes the gruelling tests that the Duster had to perform in order to wow and win over the judges.

Testing its talents to the limit as part of its ‘Bargain of the Year 2012’ award feature, the intrepid Top Gear team took a 4x4 version to one of the most dangerous roads in the world, the Cañón del Pato (Duck Canyon), in a Peruvian stretch of the Andes. Their simple conclusion? “No car in the world offers more freedom for your quid than the Dacia Duster.” We couldn't have put it better ourselves.

After a dizzying trip ascending the narrow, dimly lit Peruvian roads, the plaudits continued with, “I’m pretty sure it nails the ride-handling balance better than cars at many times its price”. Or, simply, “we have subjected this simple, brilliant little car to punishment beyond anything that even Britain’s most abused Defender has endured.”

Acknowledging the tough economic times, FHM had a similar thought process. Awarding it ‘Best for when you’re short on cash’, the plaudits came thick and fast, “as the economic fog swirls down our deserted high streets, the Dacia Duster arrives as a car of its time”. Or, our particular favourite, “it’s big, robust and good-looking”.

Did you know Dacia was founded in Romania in 1966? The Renault Group bought the Romanian car manufacturer in September 1999. UK versions of Dacia Duster will be built at a Renault-Nissan Alliance factory in Chennai, India and right-hand drive, UK-spec demonstrators will be available for test drive at your local Dacia retailer from January 2013.

For the UK, Duster, priced from only £8,995 on-the-road will be joined in January 2013 by the Sandero supermini. The country’s most affordable new car, it kicks off at just £5,995. The adventurous Sandero Stepway supermini crossover is available to order from 1^stJanuary, again with a jaw-dropping price tag, prior to joining the fold in May, from a little under £8,000.

Dacia has already taken 1,400 orders for Duster, even before any right-hand-drive versions have docked in the UK.

For more details on how you can pre-order one, you can click here to view Dacia's official website.