Dachia Motor Corporation

[Ateh]

Dachia is a Romanian car manufacturer that began its journey in the early 80s in the city of Timișoara.

1982-1985 First steps: the first production cars to go on sale in the modern territory Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova.

Dachia-Levone

Dachia-230.

1982-Levone (alliance with the American concern “J…” “D…”)

Levone-First, but not quite… It was the company’s first step, but not a car, Levone was essentially developed in the USA and Mexico, where the units (engine, gearbox) were produced until 1992.

In Romania, they produced only bodies according to drawings (however, hatchback or station wagon bodies were already their own improvisation), and were assembled under the name Dachia from 1982 to 1992, and after a little more until 2001, already being obsolete in the territory of modern Moldova, where most of the was taken to the countries of the former USSR.

1985: But still, the first completely Romanian Dachia-230. A small B-class hatchback, which was simply cheap, simple, reliable, and was also one of the first cars to use a CVT gearbox, and had a configuration reminiscent of the CUV concept that had only appeared en masse after 10 years.

This is how Dachia was born, which existed from the early 80s to the end of the 2000s.

Company motto: Cheap, affordable, reliable!

Read about Dachia car models and the continuation of the story below in the thread.

[Ateh]

Dachia levone - An American car adapted for socialist countries, it was completely developed by the “J…” concern, but in the late 70s, all the developments and drawings were purchased by the start-up Romanian automaker company Dachia, for production at its plant in Romania, later Moldova. All units were also supplied by the company “J…”, but dachia also did not stand aside and slightly modernized the design of the front part of the car, and made drawings of its own bodies like a long hatchback, or a small station wagon with a sloping rear door. By 1982, the Levone was fully launched into production, with American D4 and D5 engines, in addition there were special versions with a limited edition, QANT, which differed from the regular LEVONE hatchback with an all-wheel drive system (AWD) and a D5 engine. Most of the configurations (except QANT) were produced until 1992, and then until 2001 in Moldova.

[Ateh]

Dachia-230
A simple subcompact hatchback that went on sale in 1985, developments carried out from the very inception of the company in the early 80s, simultaneously releasing the American the Levone. No one sat idly by, and of course Dachia designed completely my own car, but still not without help from Americans and Mexicans
(“D…” “j…”). Namely, in the construction and development of an all-wheel drive gearbox from American D5 engines, which were supplied and installed in Levone Qant, they also planned to introduce all-wheel drive, or rather AWD, into the Dachia-230.
Which almost completely duplicated the AWD drive with Levone Qant.
But the engine Dachia, based on experience with the D4 D5, developed and began producing own engine itself, for the new model 230, namely the M312 and M412 engines.
In the first case it was a 3-cylinder engine with a volume of 1600 cm2, in the second a 4-cylinder engine with a volume of 2100 cm2, with different injection systems, Mono-Jetronic and KF-Jetronic.
312 came with 2 types, but 412 only with KF-Jetronic.

More reliable was the single injection Mono-Jetronic, essentially a carburetor with a nozzle, and electronic control unit, that monitored the quality of the fuel mixture and dosed the fuel.

KF-Jetronic-Just a classic mechanical injection, different from Mono-Jetronic injection into each cylinder separately, which increased the efficiency of the engine, but was more capricious in tuning.

Subsequently, complex injection systems like Mono-Jetronic, KF-Jetronic began to deliver problems for its owners, primarily KF-Jetronic. Many potential buyers later on the secondary market preferred the 1st option - Mono-Jetronic.

But, here it was still necessary to find the right model with an engine on which the injection of interest was installed from the factory, because there was a nuance in that each configuration (mostly) came with a different injection.

Base-Mono Jetronic.
Luxe-KF-Jetronic.
Cross-Kf-Jetronic+412 engine 2100 cm2.

And of course there is an interesting point with the version, Luxe, or rather its gearbox, and why on the one hand it was not desirable, but the point is… That it came with a CVT gearbox, yes, one of
the first mass-produced cars with CVT, add here a mechanical injection system, the rest were equipped with 3-speed and 4-speed manual transmissions, respectively.

Luxe also featured richer equipment in general. Abs, a more expensive cassette radio, additional interior airflow, chrome radiator grille and headlight surrounds.

The Cross, also had luxury equipment, a chrome grille and headlight surrounds.
In addition, Cross had a complex all-wheel drive system, which itself connected the desired axle depending on the situation, and locked the differentials of the rear and front axles depending on the situation.
It was not so easy to figure this out… But many sighed calmly when they found out, at least installed there manual transmission, and even a 4-speed one, although the car also accelerated not much faster than 160 km/h, but this was done with the aim of shorter gears, which helped on rough terrain.

As a result, the most active demand was, strangely enough, for the basic equipment, because for a modest amount, the buyer simply received a simple, reliable car, albeit quite cramped and not as comfortable as desired.

There were fewer people wishing to purchase luxury, as well as cross, than those who want to purchase a basic package…Luxury and cross models were discontinued in 1995, and the basic version was discontinued in 2001.

[Ateh]

Dachia-250: First serious steps, a new stage in the evolution of Dachia.

During the release of the 230, Dachia already understood by the end of the 80s that by the 90s, and even more so by the new 10th anniversary, they needed to develop a radically fresh design. Indeed, closer to the 90s, a trend began to appear for more rounded body designs among all automakers.

And of course, Dachia was no exception, and began to draw inspiration and draw the body of the New generation of bodies back in 88, and by 1990 the final model of the body was already ready, which was later approved, and awaited the engineers… Who, in turn, were supposed to develop a more progressive, economical one an environmentally friendly engine, and there was a second reason, the old M-412 engines, strange as it may seem, did not fit into the new body with new gearboxes when configured longitudinally, and the M-312 weak and complicated in terms of fuel injection.

Therefore, by 1992, new SOHC-16 Engines M-413 were developed and approved, which, with this arrangement with fresh boxes, were placed in the body of the 250 model, and were more economical, more environmentally friendly, and more powerful.

Dachia was completely satisfied with the engines that it did not begin to produce even larger, more powerful engines that would not have fit, and the smaller ones would have been too weak, and a little over 100 hp was just right, also with a new injection system Multi Point EFI, more reliable and economical. As a result, the 250 model is exclusively powered by a 413 engine, but how did the configurations differ from each other?

1)-1700mt fwd base.

2)-1700at fwd base.

3)-wagon 1700mt fwd base.

4)-wagon 1700at awd luxe.

The most basic BASE configuration for a sedan with a manual transmission, but no… Liftback with a manual transmission, yes, 250 even in a body resembling a sedan,it’s actually a 5-door, not a 4-door, it has a full-fledged rear door.

Otherwise, the most ordinary car with front drive, not fancy, not complicated, reliable, cheap, was the cheapest of the line and the best-selling.

Next comes the Luxe package, the same thing, but in the luxury package, it differed in the color of the upholstery of the seats, a 4-speed automatic transmission, and a slightly higher price.

Next came body the station wagon type, the most classic station wagon.

In fact, only the body type changed; otherwise, there were no differences between station wagons in the basic configuration and the basic Liftbacks.

But there were differences between the luxury station wagon and the luxury Liftback, namely in the drive; the station wagon in the LUXE was different in addition toautomatic transmission, four-wheel drive for increased cross-country ability, as well as a slightly increased ground clearance and different tires.

A true utilitarian Luxe! In C(golf) class.

In general, the 250 model was in demand in the Romanian markets, and in the neighboring countries, due to the lack of competition, they took what they gave, although still the 230 model still had some demand until the end of its production, still some preferred the classics, but the 250 model became popular after 2001, until 2005, after which she was replaced by the 270 model…

[abg7]

This is arguably the first modern Dachia, built for the brave new post-communist world. It’s actually a great use of one of the Juliet body sets.

[Ateh]

Thank you so much for the praise.

[Ateh]

Dachia 230 stance

[Ateh]

The beginning of the 00s, after the discontinuation of almost all the remaining old models in 2001, dachia was left with one 250 model, which did not have much time left, so at the beginning of the 00s, dachia had already begun active development of a new 200 series body, which was supposed to be even more breakthrough, in terms of design and technically.

Therefore, Japanese designers and engineers were also hired to this matter, who took an active part in the development and creation of the new 270 body and engine that heralded the new L series.

The bodies were presented already by 2003, and then the first samples of the “L-415” engines.

The bodies turned out, as intended, quite fashionable for their time, safe, practical, for every taste.

According to internal information, back in 2004 it became known that there should have been 3 bodies:

Liftback

Coupe

MPV/Wagon.

And absolutely there should have been the first turbo engines, and of course, according to tradition, an all-wheel drive version.

But all this became known in 2005 at an exhibition of new promising cars, which were also planned for a large share of exports to many countries.

4 configurations were presented at once:

270(Liftback)-Base.

270(liftback)-luxe.

270(coupe 2d)-sport.

270(mpv)-luxe.

And of course 3 new DOHC-32 engines “L-415” and specifically:

A-Atmospheric version of the L-415 engine, producing 100 hp.

LF-Turbo version which produces no longer small 150hp

.

GTE - An overblown turbo version that already produced as much as 175-plus hp.

Thanks to the DOHC design with 4 valves per cylinder and new firmware with new eco-standards for fuel maps, all engines were already quite environmentally friendly and complied with the WES-11 standard.

Even the GTE version, inflated to an insane 175hp, without the use of the “VVT” system.

More power was achieved with a sportier camshaft profile, stiffer valve springs, larger intake/exhaust manifolds, higher turbo pressure, and a redline of as much as 8,000 RPM.

Of course, it was less reliable in comparison even with LF, but environmental standards were not violated.

Below is a little more specific about the configuration:

1-the most basic, basic liftback, simply one of the cheapest cars in class D, nothing except the design was amazing, just a cheap comfortable family car for every day, with low consumption, good safety, and relative comfort for your budget.

Naturally, a basic atmospheric l-415 was installed there

2-the luxe was different from the basic:

Partial leather interior trim, a more advanced climate system, heated seats, a panoramic top, a turbo L-415 LF, and of course a CVT gearbox.

Buyers, of course, noted the comfort, both for the driver and the passenger, but not everyone was satisfied with the CVT gearbox, higher fuel consumption, and lower reliability of the unit as a whole, but unfortunately there was no other option for compatibility of the engine and gearbox besides manual transmission and cvt, for front wheel drive.

3-This is already a “lighter” as it was called in many countries to which it was exported, like others, but it was the coupe that was ordered most often, a large number of orders were from the Baltic states.

Where people really liked the hot coupe with a turbo 175 horsepower L-415 GTE engine coupled with a manual transmission, and 17 alloy wheels on sports low-profile tires, which could easily accelerate to 100 km/h in less than 8 seconds and reach about 200 km/h.

4-Already a more utilitarian option, an MPV with all-wheel drive, which, however, was only 4-seater, the company decided that it would be 4-seater, but comfortable for passengers, and with a large luggage compartment, some type of WAGON with all-wheel drive, and here There was already a conventional automatic transmission.

It was in great demand in Poland and Belarus, where such a utilitarian family car was needed, where it was possible to transport a large number of potato bags in the trunk over rough terrain, or to transport children to school in comfort and safety.

Also, a couple of years later, the car received a large number of points in crash tests and environmental tests, and was almost the safest and most environmentally friendly car for the period until 2010.

And after 2010, the company closed due to bankruptcy, and the 270 model marked The decline of the company…

But the Japanese working on the 270th model bought all the rights to it and the engine, the L series, in order to profit from the production of a promising car for the Euro market.

As a result, the 270 model was also produced in Japan from 2009 to 2017…

[Ateh]

RVR-Dachia in racing, first conquests of the Nordschleife. Early 00s… by the time the new L 415 engine, namely the GTE, was being developed for the new Dachia 270, part of the company decided to separate and go to another division called RVR, which would be focused on racing competitions and racing cars.
The idea was hanging in the air back in the 90s, but the development of the promising “L415-GTE” engine pushed us to take the first step. And in 2004, taking with them all the developments and experimental body models of a certain speedster, along with an almost final version of the engine, part of the team went on a business trip to new friends at the Nürburgring, where they began to actively assemble the promising Predator speedster…
Predator is the first and last racing-track car from RVR, which has a recognizable appearance of a certain speedster with obvious features of biodesign/retro design with rounded shapes and the smoothest body lines.
However, technically the Predator was not something overly complex, technically it was still the same front-wheel drive car with the same layout as the Dachia 270, and a 5-speed manual transmission, the only thing was that the suspension in a circle was two-link, with rigid sports struts. And a lightweight all-aluminum body; the whole car weighed no more than 900 kg.
And yes, it was a truly sporty track speedster, with front-wheel drive, and the engine was also located transversely, right in the nose. However, already in 2006, at the first competitions… The rivals had no time for jokes, from how accurately and confidently the predator took turns at insane speeds of over 200 km/h, and how quickly these 900 kg accelerated, thanks to the good weight-to-power ratio, and the engine “ L-415 GTE” was already inflated to 200 hp, which was already enough for such a mass. And these 200 hp with 900 kg of mass were accelerated to hundreds in 4.8-5 seconds, and the maximum speed was recorded by a pilot who had previously driven F1 in the region of 270 km /h.
Which, as he said, was quite scary, sitting in a bathtub that was flying at 270 km/h.
As a result, predator showed its grin, and quite consistently occupied the top 10 among lmp-1 cars and others. But unfortunately, after the bankruptcy of dachia, RVR also had to go into the shadows, if not for the Japanese, who still produced dachia 270 and RVR-Predator for some time, after 2009 to 2017. And the Predator could be purchased by almost anyone with more than 20 years of driving experience, although the Predator remained a track car, and did not have an advanced climate system, comfortable seats, heating, or even a radio… But for that, it gave adrenaline and unforgettable emotions!

for those who want to ride, I attach .car
RVR_-_Predator.car (102.6 KB)

[abg7]

Only a madman would even attempt to build a transverse-engined FWD Caterham Seven rival - but the RVR Predator is just that, and it’s much more than the sum of its parts!

[Ateh]

With the correct settings, weight distribution, aerodynamics and front-wheel drive can show results), which is what was done.