Wednesday 4th December 2013

Machine gun equipped Dacia Duster

Gun turret adds further appeal to the back to basics Duster 4x4

---

Grandiose military parades showing off the latest apocalyptic hardware were a staple of Warsaw Pact public celebrations at the height of the Cold War. North Korea aside, the days of parading your nuclear manhood through city centres have more or less passed and in this downsized, austerity era even displays of military might have adopted a more measured approach.

What's Romanian for 'feeling lucky, punk?'

Who better to carry this new ideology forward than Dacia, bargain brand of the moment and now builder of a variant of the popular (and Harris approved) Duster with a most unexpected optional extra. Probably not available to UK customers.

Yes, that's a remote control machine gun turret on the roof, the better for dealing with any troublesome fellow road users and rather more effective than the usual horn, raised fist or flashed lights, we'd imagine. Or, in our darker moments, would like to imagine...

Apparently built to NATO standards, the 'Duster Army' has underbody protection for engine, gearbox, fuel tank and rear differential, a winch, anchor points for aerial transport, interior lighting 'black out' and what are described as 'camouflage headlights' in our Google translation of the Romanian language Dacia homepage. The small matter of a machine gun on the roof is tactfully avoided but there's no hiding the fact this is a Duster armed with more than back to basics charm and an attractive pricetag.

[Sources: Dacia Group, AutoEvolution]

[V8 FOU]

Yes please! Somehow traffic jams on the M25 could be a thing of the past......

[unseen]

adds another dimension to 'drive by shooting......'

[BeirutTaxi]

There's a difference between 'Back To Basics Charm' and 'Poverty Spec Rubbish'

[The Nur]

The perfect tool for shopping on the run up to Christmas.

[Devil2575]

How much does a 3 year lease cost?

[Andy ap]

Think i may go and dress up as some third world dictator a go and try and be a customer. I could think of a hundred uses for that round here. I think thats quite cool anyway. The way it should be the old millitary kiss rule i would imagine apply quite well to a dacia

Edited by Andy ap on Wednesday 4th December 11:28

[Eviltad]

I wouldnt fancy driving around Hellmand in one much.

[Dave Hedgehog]

well thats one way to inject some much needed character lol

Personally I prefer the dillion tactical vehicle

[MikeGoodwin]

Devil2575 said:

How much does a 3 year lease cost?

Dole money

[dukebox9reg]

always thought that conversion would have been perfect for a Volvo 340. I think the Duster is perfectly acceptable as a military car.

[Escort Si-130]

you couldn't put it any better

unseen said:

adds another dimension to 'drive by shooting......'

[Greg_D]

Eviltad said:

I wouldnt fancy driving around Hellmand in one much.

^This. for Column inches, it's great fun.
Maybe for checkpoints as well for when you need to look tough. But if there is even a remote possibility of anyone shooting back, it's just a big moving olive green drab coffin

[Devil2575]

Greg_D said:

Eviltad said:

I wouldnt fancy driving around Hellmand in one much.

^This. for Column inches, it's great fun.
Maybe for checkpoints as well for when you need to look tough. But if there is even a remote possibility of anyone shooting back, it's just a big moving olive green drab coffin

I don't think that it is intended to be used as a front line vehicle. I'd suggest it more for internal security.

[Devil2575]

MikeGoodwin said:

Devil2575 said:

How much does a 3 year lease cost?

Dole money

?

[BazMV6]

It appears to have a substantial roll-cage too, making it ideal for track use. Any GT3s overtaking on the wrong side will be dealt with...

[Posk]

Reasonably priced war. Very 2013.

[cookie1600]

I thought the idea was to shoot at a Dacia, not from it?

[P4ROT]

Someone's been watching the Discovery Chanel...

[renrut]

Audi - take note, this is what the world wants, not a Q7 put in the hot wash too many times. Apparently by the PH score at least

[henrycrun]

Duster ? Odd name for a Taliban Truck.
Usually called something like Animal or Warrior.