Dacia Logan Steppe Concept Close to Final Wagon Design

GENEVA – Automobile Dacia S.A.'s Logan Steppe concept unveiled at the auto show here provides a hint of the new Logan station wagon set to launch this fall.

The Romanian auto maker chose Geneva to introduce its first-ever show car built by Renault Design. Renault SA holds a controlling interest in Dacia.

The company says the Logan Steppe is a station wagon concept designed with winter in mind.

"The finish and aspects of the materials we have employed conjure up the world of snow sports," says Kenneth Melville, Renault's international program design director.

The Logan Steppe concept looks very similar to the Logan station wagon production version. There will be 5- and 7-seat versions of the new model.

Production of the station wagon, which will debut at the Paris auto show this fall, starts in July.

"We will launch the station wagon in Romania in October," says Jean-Michel Sicre, Dacia executive vice president-sales and marketing.

Sales of the Logan station wagon will begin in Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro by year-end, with launches to follow in other markets in early 2007.

Additionally, Dacia will introduce a delivery van version of the new station wagon next February.

The auto maker also is considering a Logan pickup truck that would be produced in Iran. There is no decision on whether the vehicle also would be built in Romania.