2008 Renault Sandero - Cheap Thrills Dacia Logan Based Hatch

French carmaker Renault is continuing its assault on the inexpensive car market with the introduction of the Dacia Logan based Renault Sandero. About the size of a Fiat Grande Punto (4.02 metres or 158-inches long), the 5door Sandero has been developed from the same B0 platform as the Logan and it is built initially in the Curitiba plant in Brazil. According to Renault, Sandero will be marketed in Brazil from December 2007, followed by Argentina and other markets shortly after. In Europe, a model derived from the Sandero will enhance the Dacia line-up in 2008. -Continued after the jump

Renault hasn't given out all the details yet but the French did announce that in Argentina, the Sandero will be powered by a 1.6 16v petrol unit and a 1.5 dCi diesel engine, while in Brazil it will be offered with three Flexfuel engines that burn biofuels -1.0 16v, 1.6 8v and 1.6 16v.

Via: Motorpasion , Source Renault

PRESS RELEASE

RENAULT UNVEILS SANDERO, AN ATTRACTIVE, SPACIOUS SALOON INTENDED FOR THE SOUTH AMERICAN MARKET

With the arrival of Sandero, Renault is ��� for the first time ��� launching a new model outside its European home base. Developed from the same B0 platform as Logan and built in the Curitiba plant in Brazil, Sandero will be marketed in Brazil from December 2007, followed by Argentina. Thanks to the involvement of Renault���s Brazil-based Regional Engineering Centre, Sandero was designed with the expectations of South American customers in mind. This attractive 5-door hatchback boasts all the basic qualities of vehicles derived from the B0 platform: it is roomy, robust, and has plenty of luggage space. Sandero will be marketed in Brazil with a three-year warranty, unprecedented in its class.

Sandero is a 5-door hatchback that will further strengthen Renault's product range in South America. It will be manufactured at the Ayrton Senna plant in Curitiba in Brazil. Working jointly with the Regional Engineering Centre and Renault Technologies Americas (RTA), Renault factored the expectations and driving habits of its South American customers into Sandero���s design. Sandero is a practical illustration of Renault���s determination to develop and produce models that meet the needs of its target markets worldwide.

Set to be launched initially on the Brazilian and Argentinian markets, Sandero is a modern hatchback with an appealing design that suggests both dynamic performance and robustness. Its distinctive front end features very expressive headlamps, with a grille and bumper that merge seamlessly into the bodywork. The design of the flanks strengthens the suggestion of robustness thanks, in particular, to the wide protection strips along the sides of the vehicle, whilst the rear styling emphasises the impression of a roomy, generously proportioned car. Its dashboard was developed to be both modern and functional, with no efforts spared to create ergonomic controls and make information displays easy for all occupants to take in.

Big-size car, small-size price

While Sandero���s retail price belongs in the small car segment, its ample interior and exterior dimensions ��� it is 4.02 metres in length with a storage capacity of 320 litres ��� put it up with the larger compacts. Its front seat shoulder room of 1,400mm is best in class, while the 878mm headroom at the rear marks Sandero out from its competitors. Not only does the interior afford plenty of space, so do the doors, which open to an angle of up to 67�� for ease of ingress. In addition, the rear bench seat split-folds 60:40 ��� one more feature that cannot fail to appeal to families.

Competitive safety levels

In terms of active safety Sandero features the latest-generation Bosch 8.0 ABS, which equips the entire M��gane II and now Clio II ranges. On the passive safety front, Sandero has been designed to meet the requirements of European regulations. Its 3-point seat belts, honeycomb dashboard, padded doors, and roof cross-member provide standards of passive safety that are highly competitive on South American markets

A full engine line-up from the outset

In Argentina, Sandero will be powered by petrol and diesel engines, while in Brazil the range will focus on FlexFuel engines that burn biofuels. Acclaimed for its excellent standard of reliability, the 1.6 16v engine will be offered in Argentina. This engine will certainly lend Sandero dynamic performance capability with 90% torque from 2,000rpm, while also controlling fuel consumption. On the diesel front, the second-generation common rail direct injection 1.5 dCi is acknowledged as one of the best performing diesels in the world boasting extremely low levels of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

In the Brazilian market, Sandero will be equipped with the 1.0 16v and 1.6 16v FlexFuel powertrain packages that already power Clio II and Logan, as well as a newcomer to the Renault range, the 1.6 8v FlexFuel engine. This range of engines, combined with the very sound B0 platform chassis ��� whose ground links derive from Clio II ��� is bound to win over customers looking for a vehicle that offers modernity and comfort and can withstand harsh driving conditions. Much attention has also been focused on acoustics and thermal comfort to satisfy these demanding markets.

In keeping with the B0 platform philosophy, robustness and reliability have been the watchwords throughout the design process. For example, special wax suited to the conditions that prevail in South America have helped to optimise Sandero���s corrosion protection.

In order to make its high quality apparent to customers from the outset, Sandero will be marketed in Brazil with a three-year warranty ��� unprecedented in the segment. Sandero also stands out for its low servicing and repair costs. In this it follows in the wake of Renault Logan���s excellent showing in the league table drawn up by the Centre for Experiments and Road Safety (CESVI) in Brazil in May 2007.

Like Logan before it, Sandero will be rolled out on a global scale. In addition to Curitiba several other production facilities are being considered. Sandero thus sets the tone for a new stage in Renault���s internationalisation. In Europe a model derived from Sandero will further enrich the Dacia range in 2008.