Photo: CarPix
A hot hatch has been the wet dream of every Dacia owner ever since Renault bought them all those years ago. And after a long wait, it looks like that will finally happen with the chassis of the Sandero and the engine from a Clio.
This prototype has just been spotted in Sweden, where it presented itself with larger disc brakes all round, a twin exhaust system sticking out the back, larger alloys and some interior changes.
We immediately recognized some of these parts, as they belong to the Clio GT, a warm hatch launched in 2013 and fitted with a 1.2-liter turbo engine making 120 PS. The same mill has been used to replace 1.6-liter units on many other Renault and Nissan models, so seeing it on the Sandero shouldn't come as a surprise. However, this time it's also been paired with a manual gearbox, which you can't get on the Clio GT.
Performance for the first hot Dacia model won't be something to set your pants on fire. 0 to 100 km/h sprints will take approximately 8.5 seconds and the top speed will be in excess of 200 km/h (124 mph).
Even more Renault bits can be see on the inside of the car, including the steering wheel from the current Clio RS, complete with red stitching and black leather trim that has spread to the gear shifter and handbrake lever.
Of course, the bodywork will also be upgraded to indicate the performance that's available. But we don't expect Dacia to design brand new bumpers and wider fenders. Instead, the Sandero will play trick on our eyes with lowered suspension and skirts that are bolted onto the existing bumpers.
We expect the most dynamic Dacia model ever built to make its appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September and cost somewhere in the region of €15.000.
We immediately recognized some of these parts, as they belong to the Clio GT, a warm hatch launched in 2013 and fitted with a 1.2-liter turbo engine making 120 PS. The same mill has been used to replace 1.6-liter units on many other Renault and Nissan models, so seeing it on the Sandero shouldn't come as a surprise. However, this time it's also been paired with a manual gearbox, which you can't get on the Clio GT.
Performance for the first hot Dacia model won't be something to set your pants on fire. 0 to 100 km/h sprints will take approximately 8.5 seconds and the top speed will be in excess of 200 km/h (124 mph).
Even more Renault bits can be see on the inside of the car, including the steering wheel from the current Clio RS, complete with red stitching and black leather trim that has spread to the gear shifter and handbrake lever.
Of course, the bodywork will also be upgraded to indicate the performance that's available. But we don't expect Dacia to design brand new bumpers and wider fenders. Instead, the Sandero will play trick on our eyes with lowered suspension and skirts that are bolted onto the existing bumpers.
We expect the most dynamic Dacia model ever built to make its appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September and cost somewhere in the region of €15.000.
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