NO DOORS, WINDOWS, NOR WINDSHIELDS
With its Manifesto Concept, Dacia ‘redefines the essentials, offering an ever simpler and more genuine experience.’ Without doors, windows, or a windshield, the barriers between the passengers and the environment are eliminated and those inside are fully immersed in nature. The team comments: ‘As you prepare for your open-air activities, there’s nothing quite as convenient as a hard-wearing work surface that serves a variety of purposes instead of a tailgate.’
While immersed in nature, passengers remain linked with the services available on their smartphone. With a Bring-Your-Own-Device approach, the brand enables passengers to fully integrate a smartphone into the dashboard and on-board computer. This system is already available on many of Dacia’s current models and will continue to evolve going forward. Meanwhile, a ‘YouClip’ system allows for a variety of modular accessories to be secured onto the car, a pioneering idea which will be built into future Dacia models.
Manifesto offers a single headlamp, commenting, ‘why use two if one provides all the light you need?‘ This single lamp can even be detached to be used as a powerful torchlight.
Known for their durability, Dacia’s cars are dependable for outdoor pursuits. Dacia notes that its Manifesto Concept pushes the limits even further, turning a car into a go-between by connecting people and nature. Manifesto Concept comes with all the off-road hallmarks, including 4-wheel drive, very generous ride height, large wheels and a body built to withstand the toughest terrain. It is waterproof: you can clean the inside with a jet washer. What’s more, the removable seat coverings become sleeping bags in seconds.
Adding to its practicality, the car’s roof rack and reconfigurable carrier bars can accommodate a range of loads. Dacia comments that it has ‘already demonstrated excellence in this area with innovative modular roof bars available on Sandero Stepway and Jogger, soon coming to Duster. A dedicated and removable battery supplies power through a household outlet, turning Manifesto Concept into an energy source for any outdoor activities requiring power.’
AN ECO-SMART DESIGN
With Manifesto Concept, the brand showcases its ‘vision for a vehicle with a minimal environmental footprint.’ With its compact and lightweight design, it consumes less energy. The group claims that ‘this quest for efficiency goes back a long way in the Dacia range — Jogger, for instance, is 300kg lighter than its seven-seat rivals. Manifesto Concept’s main plastic body parts contain a significant portion of recycled material. Called Starkle®, it is made from already processed polypropylene, with a flecked effect.’
Inside, the car is fitted with natural materials — namely the cork which wraps the dashboard. ‘As with the latest Dacia models, the decorative chrome plating is gone. The concept airless tires are another innovative feature, as they aim for environmental friendliness as well as savings. The underlying principle is durability as tires are puncture-proof and last for as long as the vehicle.’
