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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.
| Dacia 500 Lăstun | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Tehnometal Plant (Dacia) |
| Production | 1988–1991 |
| Assembly | Timișoara, Romania |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | City car (A) |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 0.5 L I2 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,915 mm (75.4 in) |
| Length | 2,950 mm (116 in) |
| Width | 1,410 mm (56 in) |
| Height | 1,352 mm (53.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 590 kg (1,301 lb) |
History edit
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 edit
| 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) |
References edit
- ^ Lazăr, Dumitru. "Povestea "Lăstunului"". Autoturism (2/1990). p. 10;13.
- ^ a b "About Dacia 500 Lăstun". Romanian Cars. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
- ^ a b "Dacia Lastun – Smartul Romaniei" (in Romanian). Autogreen. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
External links edit
- Dacia 500 Lăstun at autoevolution.com
- Dacia 500 at automobileromanesti.ro