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Dacia Lăstun

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Dacia 500 Lăstun
Overview
ManufacturerTehnometal Plant (Dacia)
Production1988–1991
AssemblyTimișoara, Romania
Body and chassis
ClassCity car (A)
Body style3-door hatchback
LayoutFF layout
Powertrain
Engine0.5 L I2
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase1,915 mm (75.4 in)
Length2,950 mm (116 in)
Width1,410 mm (56 in)
Height1,352 mm (53.2 in)
Curb weight590 kg (1,301 lb)

The Dacia 500 Lăstun (Romanian pronunciation: [ləsˈtun]) was a small city car manufactured by Tehnometal, Timișoara, under the auto marque Dacia. The name derives from the Romanian for house martin, a small bird related to swallows.

History

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The Lăstun was a low-cost Romanian car for urban transport built between 1988 and 1991,[1] featuring a two-cylinder air-cooled engine of 499 cc, producing 22.5 PS (16.5 kW), fuel consumption of 3.3 L/100 km (86 mpg‑imp; 71 mpg‑US), a maximum speed 106 km/h (66 mph)[2] and fiberglass bodywork similar to the Lancia Y10. A stretched bodywork prototype 500 Lăstun was exhibited at the 1989 Bucharest trade fair.[3] Another prototype from the early 1990s featured hubcaps, body-coloured bumpers, and head restraints.

The Lăstun was marketed with the advertising slogan was "Un Autoturism de Actualitate" (A Contemporary Vehicle).

Production continued until 1992.[2] Due to its size, the Lăstun was primarily a city car, suitable for use as a second car. In 1989 cars received side lights, and in 1991 the Lăstun was lightly restyled to the front, the only modification being a new bonnet with a one-piece grille. Also the small 0.5L engine had some carburateur break-downs, which brought the average petrol consumption to almost 9 L/100 km (31 mpg‑imp; 26 mpg‑US), making the car less economical than the long running Dacia 1300 series.

Tehnometal manufactured a total of 6,532 vehicles.[3]

Engines

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Name Capacity Type Power Torque Top speed Acceleration 0–400 m Combined consumption
G.V.500 499 cc 4 valves OHC 22.5 PS (17 kW; 22 hp) at 5500 rpm 34.5 N⋅m (25.4 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm 106 km/h (66 mph) 26 s 4 L/100 km (71 mpg‑imp; 59 mpg‑US)

Historical context and public reception

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The Dacia Lăstun was developed during the final years of Romania's communist regime, as part of a broader effort to produce affordable and fuel-efficient vehicles for urban use. Its launch in 1988 came at a time when the country was facing severe economic austerity, fuel rationing, and increasing pressure to modernize domestic industry. The car’s compact size and low fuel consumption (marketed at 3 L/100 km and a top speed of 70 km/h) reflected these priorities.

Despite its promising concept, the Lăstun quickly became unpopular due to poor build quality, lack of reliability, and limited performance. Many units suffered from rust, engine problems, and electrical failures, leading to negative public perception. The production run was short—between 1988 and 1991—and less than 7,000 units were built, reflecting its commercial failure. Today, the Dacia Lăstun remains a symbol of Romania's late‑communist automotive ambitions, often remembered more for its shortcomings than its intended innovation.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Lazăr, Dumitru. "Povestea "Lăstunului"". Autoturism (2/1990). p. 10;13.
  2. ^ a b "About Dacia 500 Lăstun". Romanian Cars. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Dacia Lastun – Smartul Romaniei" (in Romanian). Autogreen. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  4. ^ Plăiaşu, Ciprian (16 April 2023). "Lăstun – Mini‑ul produs la Timișoara, care a fost interzis". Historia. Adevarul Holding.
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