Dacia D33

Dacia D33
Overview
Manufacturer	Dacia
Production	1997
Designer	Idea Torino
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact (B)
Chronology
Predecessor	Dacia Nova
Successor	Dacia SupeRNova

The Dacia D33 is the name of a prototype car made by Dacia, which never reached the production phase. It was designed to replace the outdated model based on the Dacia 1300 and the Nova series, which started with a serious handicap, outdated design and questionable quality. This model, D33, was to change the image of Dacia. Unfortunately, the model was abandoned once Renault took over the factory. Only three prototypes are known to be made.

History

After 1990, with the liberalization of the Romanian car market, Dacia 1310 began to be an outdated technological model, although this was manifested in the 80s, but at that time it had competitors only cars produced in Eastern Europe. Any restyling or modernization attempt could no longer hide the fact that it was an old model. Sales, although still good, were declining due to imports of second-hand cars, but also new ones. The launch of the Nova model was not a successful one, especially because it had an outdated design and many shortcomings in terms of quality. Therefore, the products of the Dacia factory were not competitive, the exports being at a minimum level. Even in Eastern Europe, after 1990 new and modern models were already manufactured, such as Lada 110 or Lada Samara, in the former Soviet Union or Škoda Favorit, which later became Felicia in the former Czechoslovak Republic, both models being superior in quality and the design of Dacia models. In the country, Daewoo was already taking over and refurbishing the Craiova car factory, therefore, Dacia's competition was already serious, such as the Daewoo Cielo and Daewoo Espero models, which were superior to any Dacia model. In order to survive on the market, an absolutely new model was needed, which would replace both the Nova model and the model derived from the Renault 12 / Dacia 1300, but which would satisfy the needs of the internal market like the predecessor model.

In 1997, Dacia paid for the services of Idea Torino designers. This is how a car with an avant-garde design appeared. The prototype was called D33 and was designed by Romanian engineers from Dacia Mioveni in collaboration with Italian designers which was to be a compact sedan, with 4 doors, with enough space for 5 passengers. The new model was intended to sell both Romania and the Western European market, for the model to be profitable. It was subjected to various tests and verifications in order to be marketed, between 1997 and 1998.

This new car had many innovations for the Romanian industry, such as ABS, airbags, power steering, central locking, 4-valve engines per cylinder, stereo radio cassette player and many other standard equipment present on other latest generation western cars. They were also equipped with a catalyst. By the quality standards of those times, the car was modern and safe, and the performance was similar to contemporary western cars, however as mentioned, the car was to be exported, so it had to meet certain standards and requirements to enter the western market.

Engines

The engines, according to the publications of the time, had a cylinder capacity of 1400 cc and 1600 cc, with powers between 59 and 74 kW (79 and 99 hp). The engines had 4 valves per cylinder, multipoint injection system and were designed in Romania. The car was to be equipped with a Turbo Diesel engine, whose specifications were not published. The maximum speed of the car was over 180 km/h (110 mph), which was a performance for a car made in Romania. The engines were also equipped with a catalyst, as this was mandatory in Western Europe.

Body styles

The model presented had a sedan body, three-volume sedan, being the only product type. The dimensions included the model in class C, compact. A station wagon, hatchback, and probably a utility version were to be launched, according to the car press of the time.

The future of the model

The car was to be sold at a maximum price of 5000 dollars (approx. 4305 euros) and had to replace the model Dacia Nova, but also the models based on the Old Renault 12 i.e. Dacia 1300 and its derivatives. But after the takeover of Dacia by Renault, this prototype was abandoned, probably Renault did not consider it profitable to invest in a model without equivalent in its range. Also, for the introduction of the new model, a serious refurbishment of the factory was necessary. There were also rumors that, "Dacia was specifically sold to Renault in order to never manufacture the D33 model". The model was eagerly awaited by the Romanian people, but the takeover by Renault was made in 1999, exactly the year in which the D33 was to be launched. At present, there is only one copy that is in a warehouse within the Dacia plant. it is rumored that 2 copies were manufactured, one for tests in Romania and one for testing abroad.

References

This article "Dacia D33" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Dacia D33. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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