What's all this about?

Dacia, fresh from updating its entire range of cars in the latter half of 2016, is expanding its line-up further with an all-new model and a new special edition trim.

OK, shall we start with the new model?

Following on from the Duster SUV and the Sandero Stepway 'soft-roader' (essentially, a jacked-up version of the Sandero hatch with added attitude), Dacia has decided to do the same Stepway thang to the Logan MCV estate. Think of this as a really, really, really cut-price Audi A6 allroad quattro, and you're on the right track.

Oh, has it got four-wheel drive, then?

Er... no. It is front-wheel drive only as before and uses the 90hp 0.9 TCe petrol and 1.5 dCi diesel engines from the regular Logan. These are mated to five-speed manual gearboxes and can return either 55.4mpg and 115g/km (petrol), or 72.4mpg and 100g/km (diesel). It really is just a more 'lifestyle' wagon for people who like body-cladding. Handy, as there's plenty of it, running around the bottom of the car and over the wheel arches. Silver skid plates sit centre front and rear, while a load of 'Dark Metal' detailing can be espied - it's on the door mirrors, the roof rails and the 16-inch 'Flexwheels'. Which is Dacia's cunning way of saying 'unusual slotted wheel trims'.

And is that it?

No, not quite. The Stepway is 50mm further off the ground than a Logan MCV, now with 174mm of clearance. Stepway logos can be found on the front doors and emblazoned across the front seat-backs within and there's a Stepway bit of branding on the four-spoke, 'Soft Feel' steering wheel. You can choose to have your Logan MCV Stepway in either Azurite Blue or Mink, while it will be based on (by Dacia's standards) high-ranking Laureate specification - so expect MediaNav Evolution, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, DAB, cruise control and Hill Start Assist as standard, and leather trim, a reverse parking camera and height-adjustable seats as options. Oh, and the same 573-litre boot as the Logan MCV. And that car's new light signatures on the exterior.

Quite a package. So what's the special edition?

Well, to celebrate the arrival of the Logan MCV into the Dacia family (it's the company's fifth model range over here) the Romanian firm is launching the Summit Special Edition. This comes not only on the Logan MCV Stepway, but the Duster SUV and Sandero Stepway models as well. Exclusive colours of Nordic Grey or Magma Orange are offered (although the latter is only for the alliterative Sandero Stepway Summit SE) and so are 16-inch wheels; Grey Flex covers for the Stepways, diamond-cut black Cyclades alloys on the Duster. Within, Burnt Orange is found on the piping, stitching and Stepway logos on the seats, as well as the carpet mats, centre console cover and air vent surrounds too.

When do we see these in the metal and when are they on sale?

All cars will be at the Geneva Motor Show and the Summit SE models are due on sale in summer.

Matt Robinson - 22 Feb 2017