The new Sandero hatchback from stables of Automobile Dacia S.A., a low cost car manufacturing subsidiary of the French auto major Renault, has become United Kingdom's cheapest car with a base model retail value of just £ 5,995.
The Renault owned Romanian car maker claims that its new five door hatch carries a price tag similar to the 1.0 litre version of Ford Fiesta. The brand famous for its low cost products has not installed an Air Conditioning (AC) system, even a radio (although wiring is offered) in the most basic variant of Sandero hatch. Further, the base model is only available in white colour option.
The company has started entertaining bookings of its latest low cost hatch, while the deliveries of Sandero are scheduled to begin from January 2013. Renault - Dacia has launched the 2013 Sandero hatch in three variants called Access, Ambience and Laureate. The three trim levels come with three separate power mills including an entry level engine being a 1.2 litre unit (petrol) along with a new three cylinder, 0.9 litre petrol and a 1.5 litre diesel motor.
The top trim level of Sandero hatch – Laureate comes trimmed with an AC system, heated doors, electrically adjustable door mirrors and an Automatic Cruise Control (ACC). The price tag of Sandero Laureate is £ 2,000 more expensive than the base at £ 7,995. Further, for an additional £ 250, the Dacia Sandero buyers can also get a seven inch touch screen navigation system along with Bluetooth compatibility, besides leather upholstery option can be availed at an additional £ 600.
The Dacia Sandero comes assimilated with Renault sourced engines that deliver a decent fuel economy of 16.2 km per litre on the EU Combined cycle from the 1.2 litre petrol motor. On the other hand, 1.5 litre diesel engine installed under-the-hood of Sandero is claimed to run for about 24 km per litre on a single litre of fuel.
