Photo: X-Tomi Design
Cheap hot hatches used to be about something other than big engines with lots of torque, and don't tell us the 2-liter in the MINI Cooper S isn't big. Cars like the classic Fiesta ST or Citroen C2 VTS brought you enjoyment every time you changed gears, but then we got all obsessed with turbochargers.
Renault is bringing back that world with the Sandero RS, a sports hatch that we may unfortunately never sample. Our insider sources have long confirmed that a 2-liter naturally aspirated mill resides under the Sandero's bonnet. However, it's not the same one you got on every Clio RS until the current generation.
Instead, Renault is going to use an updated version of the 143 PS mill. It's been made available on the Duster crossover in some markets. However, we've also seen it on some Megane models with the 4-speed automatic gearbox.
Should we feel disappointed that the Sandero RS only has 150 horsepower, not 200 like the old Clio RS? Yes, especially when Renault has been so adamant that it won't put those two letters on a car unless it's perfect. But this is by far the fastest Sandero ever made. If they decide a Dacia version is worth selling in Europe, it would also be the most extreme Romanian product since plum liqueur.
While we wait for Renault to finish development of the car and show it, here's an excellent rendering from X-Tomi Design to give you a rough idea of what to expect. According to our intel, the mods include 15mm lower suspension, 17-inch wheels with rubber tires, twin exhaust and the usual mix of spoilers and wings.
Instead, Renault is going to use an updated version of the 143 PS mill. It's been made available on the Duster crossover in some markets. However, we've also seen it on some Megane models with the 4-speed automatic gearbox.
Should we feel disappointed that the Sandero RS only has 150 horsepower, not 200 like the old Clio RS? Yes, especially when Renault has been so adamant that it won't put those two letters on a car unless it's perfect. But this is by far the fastest Sandero ever made. If they decide a Dacia version is worth selling in Europe, it would also be the most extreme Romanian product since plum liqueur.
While we wait for Renault to finish development of the car and show it, here's an excellent rendering from X-Tomi Design to give you a rough idea of what to expect. According to our intel, the mods include 15mm lower suspension, 17-inch wheels with rubber tires, twin exhaust and the usual mix of spoilers and wings.
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