The first generation Dacia Sandero entered production in 2007 and was discontinued in 2012. Its successor is almost 8 years old, although it was given a mid-cycle refresh in 2016, but the time is approaching for the Romanian automaker to launch the new third-generation Sandero.
The budget hatchback has been spied testing ever since last year, but the heavy camo and plastic cladding have yet to come off. Still, it might resemble the new Duster at the front, with similar styled grille and headlights, with the Sandero Stepway expected to feature similar design elements on the outside. It’s pretty much impossible to tell whether the SUV will serve as inspiration for the rear end of the Sandero.
Looks aside, it’s under the skin where the revolution will take place, as the car should finally ditch the old B0 platform in favor of Renault’s CMF-B. The latter underpins the fifth-gen Clio, second-gen Captur and all-new Nissan Juke, and will significantly improve handling and safety.
It’s also compatible with a wide variety of engines from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, and while it’s too early to know which ones will be used, it’s likely that the small petrol and diesel will carry over, with 90 and 95 PS, respectively. A novelty could represent the addition of the 1.3-liter petrol unit, co-developed with Daimler and shared with a bunch of Renault and Mercedes-Benz cars, in the 130 PS variant.
A hybrid powertrain is also rumored and the architecture does support electrification, so who knows, maybe it’s the Sandero that will start the green revolution for Dacia.
