We are well aware with the popularity level of the Duster, reason being how competitively it has been positioned and price. If you think that is the best Renault can offer, thing twice. Dacia (owned by Renault) has revealed some pictures of the 2013 Sandero compact SUV on the internet and let you tell you friends, it is not only great to look at but is practical as well.
Named as Dacia Sandero Stepway, its bigger brother Dacia Sandero has been serving the European market for a couple of years now and have received plenty of major and minor facelifts progressively but the 2013 iteration is simply beautiful. Developed in France, the car is based on the B0 platform which is renowned for its exceptional comfort and road-holding.
The new front fascia which looks in connection with Duster, has greatly redefined the car. It looks more chunky and muscular now and gives you the feel of a compact yet potent all-terrain vehicle. Some major improvements to the exterior of the car include the following:
- Front and rear skid plates
- Fog lamps
- Two-tone bumper
- Pronounced wheel arches
- 16-inch Flexwheels rims
- Two-tone longitudinal roof bars
- Exclusive Azurite blue paint
The design of the 2013 Sandero, Sandero Stepway and Logan is identical because of the new aggressive styling cues. Highlighting features on the interior of the Sandero Stepway are as follows:
- A new dark-carbon or two-tone dashboard
- Comprehensive and contemporary-style instrumentation
- Chrome-surrounded dials
- Latest-generation functional controls
- Chrome finished air-vent surrounds
- Chrome finished steering-wheel logo
- Chrome finished gear-stick handle label
Gasoline engine options for the car include a new TCe 90 and a 1.2 16v 75 Euro 5 engines. The TCe 90 is a 898 CC turbocharged petrol engine featuring VVT, that delivers 90 BHP of max power at 5250 RPM and peak torque of 135 Nm. The 1.2 litre engine offers 75 BHP of power and is also available with an LPG version to lower the running costs.
Diesel engine options include dCi 75 and 90 Euro 5 engines with respective power outputs of 75 BHP and 90 BHP.
Convenience and Safety Features Include
- Dacia Plug & Play multimedia system
- MEDIA NAV
- Speed Limiter
- Cruise Control
- Rear Parking Sensors
- Calibrated load limiters for seatbelts
- Isofix anchorage points and many more
We are sure that if Renault brings this car to the Indian market, it will not only beat the Quanto hands down, but will also give premium hatchbacks such as i20, Polo and the like, a run for their money. Stay tuned for more updates on Sandero Stepway for India.
