- Dacia Dokker, 2013
Following the launch of Lodgy at the beginning of 2012, the Dacia range has been expanded with the addition of two brand new models: Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van. Dacia Dokker is a five-seat crew van for mixed private and professional use. It offers one of the biggest boots and the best modularity in its class. Dacia Dokker Van is a small Light Commercial Vehicle. Its best-in-class utilitarian features will prove attractive to tradespeople and craftsmen. In keeping with the values championed by the Dacia brand, both newcomers deliver a generous list of practical features for an unrivalled low price. They will go on sale initially in Morocco this June 2012, and then in the models' other Mediterranean and European markets at the end of the summer 2012.
Dacia Dokker targets customers with mixed needs who want a vehicle that can transport bulky loads yet also accommodate their family in comfort. Indeed, in addition to its ability to carry up to five occupants, it also offers the market's biggest boot capacity. The user-friendly modularity of the rear bench seat enables up to 3m3 of extra carrying capacity to be freed up, making it ideal for professional use. It can be ordered with either one or two glazed sliding side doors which facilitate access to the cargo area or rear seats.
In addition to being reliable and robust, Dacia Dokker Van delivers the biggest carrying capacity in its segment thanks to the cleverly designed modular front passenger seat (the optional Dacia Easy Seat), while its wide sliding side door facilitates loading. To meet the needs of traders and tradespeople as closely as possible, a high number of conversions and a wide range of accessories are available for Dokker Van.
Like that of Dacia Lodgy, the interiors of Dokker and Dokker Van are comfortable, modern and particularly functional. The Media Nav multimedia system comes with a seven-inch (18cm) touchscreen and comprises navigation and radio functions, plus Bluetooth connectivity. The options catalogue includes a speed limiter and rear parking sensors.
Depending on market, Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van are available with a choice of four powerplants: the brand new 1.2 TCe 115 and existing 1.6 MPI 85 petrol engines, plus the 1.5 dCi 75hp and 90hp diesel engines. Both diesel engines qualify for the Dacia eco² signature thanks to fuel consumption of just 4.5 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 118g/km.
Dacia's trademark reliability and build quality have long been acclaimed by customers and the media alike, but Dacia has taken these strengths further still thanks to the expertise of Renault, Europe's leading Light Commercial Vehicles brand since 1998. Many of Dokker Van's components were designed to meet the exacting briefs specified by Renault for its own vans and the model was submitted to the same punishing tests as Renault LCVs in order to take the most punishing types of use into account.
A VERY FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
The name Dokker is a play on the word 'dockworker' and expresses the high carrying capacity of the two models, as well as their modular interior layout and robustness.
The lines, proportions and generous dimensions of Dacia Dokker and Dacia Dokker Van (length: 4.36m / width: 1.75m / height: 1.81m) point to a particularly spacious interior. This sensation is reinforced by the uncluttered vertical body sides, while the apertures of the sliding side doors and asymmetric rear doors ensure easy access.
The family likeness of these two new models with the other vehicles of the Dacia range is evident in the form of their grille and large headlight units. Meanwhile, the modern, hi-tech feel of their design showcases Dacia's new styling identity as pioneered by Lodgy.
The newcomers' exterior volumes, assertive forms and frill-free lines point to the Dacia brand's trademark quality and robustness, a sensation which is further accentuated by the high waistline and big door handles. The standard black grain-effect bumpers of Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van wrap around the entire bottom part of their front end, right up to the headlights, while the rear bumpers have been positioned to protect the light clusters. Certain versions are equipped with side protective mouldings.
The optional body colour bumpers available for the higher-end crew van versions are more inline with passenger car styling cues.
The interior features a modern, functional dashboard which incorporates several stowage spaces that have been thought through for intensive use. The dash's sweeping forms heighten the impression of solidity and its two-tone colour scheme has been carried over to the door panels (depending on equipment level). The unmistakeably modern, high-tech feel of the cabin is reinforced by the new design of the instruments - inherited from Dacia Lodgy - and the incorporation of a Media Nav multimedia system.
The Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van also benefit from the enhanced driver-friendly appointments that were first seen on Lodgy, including new headlight and windscreen wiper controls. The switches for the electric windows fall readily to hand on the door armrests and the controls for the climate control are more accessible than those of the Logan family of models.
The cabin of the crew van version has more of a passenger car feel about it, beginning with the different colours employed for the interior trim. The higher-end equipment levels come with a Gunmetal Grey centre console, plus the use of chrome for the front door handles, instrument, heater controls and gear lever knob.
Dacia Dokker, the versatile crew van
Dacia Dokker comfortably carries up to five people and, for their luggage, boasts the biggest boot in its segment, with a capacity of 800 litres and a maximum load length of 1.16m.
Dacia Dokker comes as standard with one glazed sliding side door and a second can be ordered as an option (standard on the high-end version). The side door frees up an aperture of 703mm to facilitate safe access to the rear seats.
Rear passengers benefit from comfortable seats and plenty of space (headroom: 1,065mm / shoulder room: 1,458mm / knee room: 177mm).
The modular 60/40-split rear bench seat is easy to convert into one of a wide choice of arrangements. Thanks to a readily accessible handle, each section of the seat back can be folded forward independently. The bench can also be tipped forward against the front seats to free up a flat floor with a load length of 1.57m and a carrying capacity of 3m3.
Dacia Dokker Van, one of the most practical vehicles in its class
Thanks to its dimensions (length: 4.36m / width: 1.75m / height: 1.81m), Dacia Dokker Van offers a generous 3.3 cubic metres of carrying capacity and a maximum load length of 1.9m.
Its carrying capacity can be extended thanks to the clever optional Dacia Easy Seat. The back of this versatile front passenger seats tips forward to form a table. Alternatively, the whole seat can be tipped forward against the glove box to free up space for loads of up to 2.42 metres in length. It can also be removed altogether to provide 3.9 cubic metres of carrying space. This arrangement permits items of three metres in length to be transported with ease (maximum load length: 3.11m). These market-best figures position Dacia Dokker Van as one of the most functional vehicles in its segment, yet comfort hasn't suffered since the Dacia Easy Seat is fore/aft adjustable and has a reclining back. Dacia Dokker Van's maximum payload is 750kg.
Depending on version and national legislation, the cabin is separated from the cargo area by two tubular protective bars, a fully glazed bulkhead or a mesh pivoting bulkhead. The latter enables carrying capacity to be increased by folding the passenger seat (optional Dacia Easy Seat) to increase carrying capacity yet still ensure the driver's protection.
Dacia Dokker Van is fitted as standard with one wide sliding side door and a second is available as an option. These doors benefit from an extremely robust design and open effortlessly to facilitate access to the cargo area thanks to their big handle.
The asymmetric rear doors swing open to 90 degrees and are held in place by a retention system which prevents the door from slamming shut in windy weather. This lock can be freed by a handle located on the inside of the door to enable the latter to be opened to 180 degrees.
Numerous stowage solutions for Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van
To simplify the day-to-day life for drivers, a number of practical stowage spaces totalling up to 44.2 litres in the crew van version are positioned around the cabin. The large non-lidded dashboard bin can accommodate a laptop computer or A4-size documents. Dacia Dokker is also equipped with a lidded 6.6-litre glove box (depending on equipment level), as well as 12 litres of easily -accessible overhead stowage (depending on equipment level). A small lidded bin to the driver's left is particularly useful for ensuring that items such as loose change are always close to hand.
A 1.5-litre bottle can be stored in the front door bins, while a double can-holder and tray on the centre console can also be specified.
In the case of the crew van version, rear passengers benefit from a 0.5-litre bottle holder on the centre console, plus small additional door bins and map pockets of the front seat backs (depending on version).
When it comes to conversions for specific business uses, Dacia benefits extensively from Renault's expertise. Indeed, the brand has worked closely with the network of Renaultapproved converters to develop a long list of conversions. Those available for Dacia Dokker Van include ambulances, TPRM solutions, the transport of refrigerated or frozen goods, mobile workshops or intervention vehicles, etc.
In order to meet the varied needs of its customers, Dacia has developed an extensive selection of accessories and interior fitments. The accessories designed to enhance comfort or carrying capacity include a central armrest, DVD player, seat back document holder, child seats, a portable ice box cooler, a roof box, a mesh grille behind rear seats (crew van version), etc.
Dacia Dokker Van comes with a range of accessories designed especially for business customers: wood linings, wheel-well protection, stowage kits, wooden cupboard kit, steel roof bars, protective bars for glazed rear doors, etc.
Vehicles can also be personalised in the colours of the customer's company.
UPGRADED CABIN EQUIPMENT
Since the launch of Dacia Lodgy, a number of features have been upgraded to be even more comfortable, modern or practical. Needless to say, Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van benefit from these improvements.
Media Nav: user-friendly technology
Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van are equipped with the Media Nav multimedia system first seen inside Dacia Lodgy. The system has been perfectly integrated into the central fascia and comprises a seven-inch (18cm) touchscreen. In addition to being very simple to use, this attractively-priced option (€430) combines navigation and audio functions, as well as Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity.
The home page enables users to scroll swiftly through the six Media Nav functions. It is also possible to connect a portable music player via the fascia-mounted USB or jack sockets. Users can select tracks using either the touchscreen display or the steering wheel-mounted remote controls.
The tactile, intuitive navigation system has both 2D and 3D (Birdview) graphics. A dedicated website enables customers to access mapping updates and upload them via the USB port.
Alternatively, two other multimedia systems are available to tailor the offering to the needs of each customer:
Dacia Plug & Radio. This system features a radio with a large display, an MP3-compatible CD player, Bluetooth® technology, dash-mounted USB and jack sockets and steering wheel-mounted fingertip remote control.
The smaller (1 DIN) entry level radio, Dacia Plug & Music, allows additional stowage space to be fitted. This radio comes with the same features as the Dacia Plug & Radio, with the exception of the CD player.
All the radios benefit from 3D Sound by Arkamys® which is derived from Renault's audio range. The Arkamys® process uses digital treatment software to deliver tailor-engineered sound and noticeably superior quality. The three-dimensional sound produced by the four loudspeakers has been engineered to take both the layout of the cabin and the materials it uses into account.
More comfortable and practical for the driver Drivers sit 3.5cm higher up in Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van than they do in Logan MCV, while the seat height and steering wheel can be adjusted to find the most comfortable driving position. Comfort is further enhanced by a big footrest.
Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van also feature the same new, more modern and more practical dashboard as Dacia Lodgy. The centrally positioned odometer is flanked to the left by the rev-counter and to the right by a screen which incorporates the fuel gauge and total/split distance readouts. In the case of versions equipped with a trip computer, the same display provides data concerning the quantity of fuel used, journey distance, average and real-time fuel consumption, remaining range, average speed, the distance until the next service, speed limiter selection and a clock.
Like Lodgy, the new models come with new driver aids. The speed limiter allows drivers to programme a maximum speed they do not wish to exceed, enabling journeys to be completed in stress-free safety. This function can be activated or deactivated using a button located on the central fascia. The speed setting is selected using the '+' or '-' buttons on the steering wheel. Pressing hard on the accelerator pedal permits the driver to override the system if required.
Rear parking sensors are available for Dacia Dokker and Dokker Van. They are located in the rear bumper and provide drivers with an audible indication of the distance between their vehicle and any obstacle. The function can be activated or deactivated using a switch positioned to the left of the steering wheel.
The climate control system figures among the ludospace market's best in terms of its performance. Its capacity has been engineered to match the size of the cabin and total glazed surface area. Engineers from the Renault Group took their inspiration from the climate control system used for Renault Mégane and have succeeded in uprating airflow and capacity with no additional noise. Cooling air is distributed more evenly throughout the cabin thanks to the fitment of vents at the front and rear.
Careful attention was also paid to acoustic comfort. The surface area of soundproofing materials inside the engine compartment, underneath the vehicle, in the wheel arches and at the junction between the body and windscreen has been increased by 30 percent compared to Dacia Duster. The engine runs more quietly thanks to 1.5 dCi engine's new fuel injectors. Wind noise has also been reduced thanks to work on the form of the door mirror housings and roof bars. Road noise has been further diminished through the design of the foam inserts and seals, as well as the reinforcement of certain components parts to suppress resonance.
