BUDGET brand Dacia is expanding its Duster SUV line up with the introduction of diesel 4x4 models to the range.

Priced from £15,695 the new Blue dCi 115 variant sits close to the top of the Duster line up which, costing from £9,995 is the cheapest SUV of its kind.

The new diesel meets the latest emission standards and is available with a manual gearbox across all three Duster trim levels, topping out at £18,695 for a high specification Prestige version.

Under the new WLTP fuel economy testing regime the dCi 115 engine is rated at 60.1mpg with emissions of 123g/km.

It joins the two-wheel-drive diesel which uses the same 1.5-litre engine and the Duster petrol models which are available with both 4x2 and 4x4 set ups.

Performance data for the new diesel is 0 to 60 acceleration in 12.4 seconds and a top speed of 104mph.

In its cheapest guise in Essential trim the Blue dCi 4x4 Duster features 16-inch steel wheels, manual air conditioning, a DAB radio with steering-column mounted controls and Bluetooth connectivity.

Mid-range Comfort specification costs from £17,395 and includes alloy wheels, upgraded upholstery and trim, parking sensors and a rear view camera and a sat nav system operated via a seven-inch touchcscreen.

The top range Prestige models have 17-inch alloys, a, multi-view camera system, blind spot warning, climate control and keyless entry.

The new Duster line up - which was launched in the summer - has the same off-road credentials as the previous model with a ground clearance of more than eight inches and approach and departure angles of 30 and 33 degrees.

As well as hill descent control and a hill start assist function, the 4x4 models also have a specific monitor display that incorporates a compass and notifies the driver of the vehicle's angle when negotiating harsh conditions.