The new Renault Sandero is now available in South Africa and boasts improved styling, technology, safety and economy.
“What you see is a vehicle fully representative of Renault’s heritage with every gene rooted in Renault’s DNA.” says Wayne van der Merwe, product manager for New Sandero.
The contemporary styling points to a more refined vehicle. Large headlight units sit on opposite ends of a wide grille to provide more road presence than before. An integrated roof spoiler, body-coloured side mirrors and 15-inch wheels are standard across the range.
The cabin maintains its spacious and practical qualities, including 292-litres of cargo space. Renault say the quality of the interior materials has been improved, while the driver’s instrument cluster has been given chrome detailing and displays “an array of techno-smart yet practical instrumentation.”
The higher specification Sandero Dynamique Turbo is equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights with chrome surrounds and body-coloured door handles. The interior benefits from seats in a dark fabric upholstery, chrome door handles, as well as a leather-clad steering wheel and gear lever knob.
Renault are quick to point out that their new Sandero is the only model of its class to offer a turbocharged petrol engine. “The choice we made to offer New Sandero with our brilliant Turbo 66kW engine is true to the progressive DNA of Renault: access to highly efficient and technologically advanced engines is no longer reserved to expensive cars”, says Fabien Payzan, marketing & communication vice-president at Renault South Africa.
The 3-cylinder, 900 cc, turbocharged engine delivers 66 kW and 135 Nm of torque from 2 500 r/min. Average fuel consumption is a claimed 5.2 l/100km and emits 119 g/km of CO2 making the car exempt from emissions tax. Apart from fuel economy, the engine has been designed to be low maintenance and reliable, thanks tp 20 000 hrs of endurance tests on bench and 800 000 km of severe vehicle tests. In addition, the engine features a maintenance-free silent timing chain instead of a conventional cambelt.
The new Renault Sandero is equipped with ABS, EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). Vehicle stability aids include Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and ASR (Anti Skid Regulation) systems, which detect and reduce loss of traction, as well as reduce engine power and brake independent wheels in the event of loss of control. Hill Start Assist is another handy feature fitted to the new Sandero, preventing any backward movement for long enough to pull off without needing to use the handbrake.
The new Sandero is the only car in its category to offer a three-point safety belt at the central rear seat and the Dynamique variant comes standard with front side airbags.
In terms of specification, the Expression variant offers electric front windows, remote central locking, a radio/CD/MP3-player with USB connection and Bluetooth® connectivity allowing streaming audio.
The higher spec Dynamique distinguishes itself further, with electric rear windows, electrically adjustable side mirrors, cruise control and speed limiter.
| Price (incl. VAT and C02 tax) | |
| Renault Sandero Expression Turbo | R133 900 |
| Renault Sandero Dynamique Turbo | R141 500 |
Pricing includes a 5-year/150 000km warranty and 2-year/30 000km service plan.
