Dacia Lăstun

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
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)

History

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
NameCapacityTypePowerTorqueTop speedAcceleration 0–400 mCombined consumption
G.V.500499 cc4 valves OHC22.5 PS (17 kW; 22 hp) at 5500 rpm34.5 N⋅m (25.4 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm106 km/h (66 mph)26 s4 L/100 km (71 mpg‑imp; 59 mpg‑US)

References
  1. Lazăr, Dumitru. "Povestea "Lăstunului"". Autoturism (2/1990). p. 10;13.
  2. "About Dacia 500 Lăstun". Romanian Cars. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  3. "Dacia Lastun – Smartul Romaniei" (in Romanian). Autogreen. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
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