By: Jason Woosey
Following Dacia's reveal of its facelifted Sandero line-up at the Paris Motor Show late last month, the Romanian carmaker's owner Renault has taken the wraps off the version wearing its own badge.
Coming to SA next year
This, of course, is the one that's sold in South Africa, and Renault SA has confirmed that the upgraded Sandero hatch and Sandero Stepway hatch-crossover-thingy will reach local shores during the course of 2017. Pricing and specs, of course, will be divulged at launch.
The 2017 upgrade is evidently not the most radical of facelifts, but stylists have performed some surgery up front, where you'll see new headlights with 'C' shaped elements inspired by the latest Megane's lights as well as a wider grille and redesigned bumper.
Renault also mentions changes to the rear end and some interior perk-ups, including a new steering wheel (with the hooter in the middle, finally), 'satin effect' chrome buttons and fresh upholstery. However, the company has only so far released pictures of the car's front end, so we've included rear and cabin shots of the Dacia version on the presumption that the alterations made are either the same or very similar.
On the features front, and bearing in mind that local specifications could differ, the new Sandero can be equipped with a revised Medianav Evolution touch-screen infotainment system as well as reverse camera, hill start assist and one-touch indicators.
No changes have been mentioned on the engine front and local models are almost certain to solder on with the current 66kW/135Nm 1-litre, three-cylinder turbopetrol that qualifies for import duty exemption.