“What we want to do in the C-segment is what we’ve done in the B- or the B- plus,” said Marotte. “We have identified that with the C-SUV particularly. But even the C-hatch is probably a segment where the prices have gone up the most in the last five years. You see the increase in monthly instalment or in prices in that segment. It’s massive.”
He acknowledged that “the C-hatch [segment] is a challenge for us; indeed, we have no customer base” but said the success of the Bigster – around 50,000 orders in its first six months – gives the brand confidence that its expansion into larger models is viable.
Dacia will pursue a similar pricing policy with the new estate, leaving out what the company perceives to be ‘non-essential’ equipment in order to maintain a lower list price than its core rivals. The Bigster, for example, starts from around £25,000 – £5000 cheaper than the same-sized Qashqai and £9000 less than the Ford Kuga.
The C-Neo, then, is likely to come in around the £20k mark, commanding a premium over the smaller, £15k Sandero but still being significantly cheaper than the £27k Seat Leon and £29k Octavia estates.
Being based on the same Renault Group CMF-B that Dacia uses for all its models except the Spring EV, it is expected to be all but technically identical to the Bigster, with a choice of mild- and full-hybrid petrol powertrains ranging in output from 128bhp to 153bhp, though it remains to be seen if it will follow its SUV siblings – and its Skoda rival – in being offered with four-wheel drive.
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