Dacia Striker: the new flagship estate is on its way

Dacia has a new flagship model on the way, and it will not be another SUV. At a time when many manufacturers are withdrawing from the estate car market, the Romanian brand has chosen to take the very route that many consider to be fading away.

Due to be officially unveiled on 10 March, Dacia has now confirmed the name of its new model: Striker. The company says the model takes its inspiration from the universal phrase “scoring a strike”, linked to the idea of hitting the target perfectly.

It is still too soon to know whether the model will genuinely “hit the target”, yet expectations are high. They are fuelled by the principle that has defined the Romanian marque: concentrating on the essentials while maintaining its long-standing promise of the right price.

Once it reaches showrooms, the new estate will sit in the C-segment alongside the Bigster, meaning both will become Dacia’s flagship offerings. As a result, the Striker is expected to carry similar pricing, starting at around €25,000.

An alternative to SUVs

The Romanian manufacturer believes there remains a significant group of buyers who favour cars with a lower driving position and a more efficient approach, while still placing space among their key priorities.

Its dimensions have not yet been announced, although the development prototypes already seen suggest a vehicle that is longer, wider and taller than the Jogger, which measures 4,550 mm, 1,853 mm and 1,629 mm respectively. It will therefore position itself as an alternative to models such as the Skoda Octavia Estate, Volkswagen Golf Variant and Toyota Corolla Touring Sports.

With greater ground clearance than its rivals, bringing it closer to a crossover, the Striker’s chief attraction is expected to be its price. According to Frank Marotte, the brand’s Marketing Director, the price increases experienced by competing models “have created an opportunity for Dacia in this segment”.

A familiar platform

Technical specifications have yet to be confirmed, but there is little doubt that the Dacia Striker will use Renault Group’s CMF-B platform. Apart from the Spring, this architecture underpins every other model sold by the Romanian manufacturer.

That means Dacia’s new estate is likely to be powered by the same engines offered in the Bigster, including petrol and LPG mild-hybrid and hybrid options producing between 120 hp and 155 hp. Fully electric versions are not expected for now.

When will it arrive?

The Dacia Striker will make its official debut on 10 March. Alongside this new estate, the Romanian brand is also preparing a third model for the C-segment, which is scheduled to arrive on the market next year.