To tie-in with its UK pre-launch activities at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Dacia has confirmed pricing for its Duster SUV. The Romanian brand's first offering on the UK market will start from a 'shockingly affordable' (Dacia's description not ours) £8,995 for the two-wheel drive Access model powered by parent company Renault's proven 105hp 1.6-litre petrol engine.

The SUV with a supermini price-tag is not a bare-to-bones offering either as standard equipment includes roof bars, electric front windows, four airbags, a height adjustable steering wheel and ISOFIX points on the outer rear seats. Anti-lock brakes and Emergency Brake Assist, plus remote central locking are also core features. A four-wheel-drive model, available from £10,995, adds an emergency spare wheel.

Mid-level Ambience trim starts at £11,495, rising to £13,495, bringing with it a 4x20W radio/CD with aux-in, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and steering-column mounted fingertip controls, plus body coloured bumpers, 60/40 split folding rear seats, front fog lights and a height adjustable driver's seat. Ambience trim also offers the option of a 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine.

The flagship of the Duster range in the UK, and the expected best-seller, will be Lauréate trim. Available for between £12,995 and £14,995, the range topper adds 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric rear windows, a leather steering wheel and trip computer.

Optional extras are limited in the Dacia range but buyers can choose to add the £655 Styling Pack that brings daytime running lights and chrome finishing for the side bars and exhausts. The Protection Pack costs £575 and includes an alarm, rear parking sensors and front and rear mudguards while the £555 Touring Pack adds a tow bar and centre armrest for those longer journeys.

Dacia will be accepting pre-orders online from today (June 28), with the first deliveries in January 2013.

Paul Healy - 28 Jun 2012