NEW DACIA SANDERO: HELLO, CIVILIZATION
Fresh design, modern technology, while diesel
More modern design, nicer interior, quieter and more comfortable driving, more space and modern safety assistants. In a word, these are the advantages of the new Dacia Sandero. Of the minuses - a higher price and the lack of a diesel engine.
The brand's official importer managed to media test drive the new model in the last days before the state closed its doors due to the pandemic. Both the regular Sandero and its adventurous version, the Stepway, were available. They claim that the starting price will be around BGN 2 higher than the current versions of the previous generation. Still unofficial data is the starting price of BGN 000 with VAT for Sandero and BGN 16 for Sandero Stepway. The previous generation Sandero, however, at the time of its presentation in 8, it started at just under BGN 000, which increases its price by more than 23%. Do you also get 500% more car? Judge for yourself by reading below.
Romanians claim to offer 4 engine versions. In fact, there is only one engine - a liter three-cylinder gasoline. In the basic version, it does not have a turbocharger and is designed for atmospheric filling. Reaches a power of 65 liters. and just 95Nm of torque paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. This modification is only available for Sandero and Logan. The Sandero Stepway version starts from the second level - the same engine only with a turbocharger. Here it reaches 90 hp. and 160 Nm of maximum torque in combination with a 6-speed manual transmission. The third level of drive is the same turbocharged petrol engine but paired with a CVT automatic continuously variable transmission. Power is again 90 hp but 142 Nm of torque. As mentioned at the beginning, there is no diesel. What to do - the modern world called diesel bad and began to abandon it altogether. Therefore, the “economist” in the line is a version with a factory propane-butane system. Here, too, the engine is the same, but increased to 100 hp. and 170 Nm of torque. When powered by LPG, the Sandero ECO-G emits on average 11% less CO2 emissions than an equivalent gasoline engine. It also has a range of more than 1300 km with two tanks - 40 liters of petrol and 50 liters of petrol, and we know that gas mileage is almost twice as expensive as gasoline.
Elastic
All modifications were available for testing, except for the basic atmosphere.
The turbo engine offers very pleasant agility and surprising elasticity for its modest displacement. I was also pleasantly surprised by the adequate performance of the generally inadequate CVT transmission. Apparently, years of improving this technology have paid off and the tachometer needle no longer jumps like crazy, trying to find the most optimal working value. Now the acceleration is smooth, and the shifting of artificially created gears becomes almost imperceptible and harmonious. However, I would still choose manual transmissions, especially in the gas version (the CVT is not available for it). There is a little more power and torque here, and the dynamics on gas are no different from gasoline. Even purely subjectively, it seemed to me that the engine runs a little smoother on liquefied gas. The efficiency of all versions is also impressive - during normal driving, the readings of the on-board computer (yes, Dacia already has one) range from 6 to 7 liters per 100 km.
Behavior on the road does not shine with great accuracy, but hardly anyone expects the opposite. The steering wheel is now electrically powered and lacks the tactile play of the previous generation. Even now it can be adjusted in depth, not just in height. However, its setting is quite soft and there is no clear correspondence to what is happening on the pavement. According to the Romanians, the car is built on a completely new modular platform, the chassis has become stiffer, and the wheel pitch has been increased by 29 mm. However, there is still a noticeable shaking in the turn, it even seemed more than before, but this may be a purely subjective sensation, misleading. The reason I question my own judgment is that the Sandero's regular 133mm ground clearance felt more wobbly around the corner than the Stepway version with 174mm of ground clearance, and there's no mention of their suspension differences. However, one thing is undeniable - car rims are more comfortable than before. This is facilitated by a new square-arm front suspension for better absorption of bumps and a 14mm longer wheelbase.
Lambo
The design has been significantly redesigned, making the lines smoother and more dynamic.
Most striking is the light signature of the LED daytime running lights, which closely resembles the layout of the rear lights of the Lamborghini Aventador. The Stepway version looks even better thanks to its SUV essence, which is expressed in the treads on the bumpers, sills and fenders, as well as in the larger wheels. The roof rails can be slid laterally and turned into a convenient ski rack, for example.
Inside, the changes are especially noticeable in terms of design, but the workmanship is still made from the same hard plastic. The Stepway versions have cool textile embellishments that create a sense of quality. Passengers have more space in the cabin, especially at the rear, and the trunk has increased by 8 liters to 328 liters, and now it can be opened with a key.
For the first time, an electric sunroof will be available as an option for the brand. The most significant focus is on vehicle connectivity and three multimedia systems are offered for this. At the first level, Smartphones can be placed on a smartphone stand in front of the driver and turned into a remote entertainment system using the new free Dacia Media Control app and a Bluetooth or USB connection. The second and third levels now feature a large 8-inch color screen with compatible Bluetooth and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone systems. The second level will need a connecting cable, while the third level can be wireless as it also comes with navigation.
Safety systems now include Automatic Collision Brake Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Front and Rear Parking Aid and Hill Descent Assist.
Under the hood of the Sandero Stepway ECO-G
| Engine | Gasoline / propane-butane |
| Number of cylinders | 3 |
| drive unit | Front |
| Working volume | 999 cube |
| Power in hp | 100 h.p. (at 5000 rpm) |
| Torque | 170 Nm (at 2000 rpm) |
| Bucky | 40 l (gas) / 50 l (petrol) |
| Price | from 16 800 BGN with VAT |
