Wednesday 7th August 2019

Sandero RS 2.0 gets facelift; still Brazil-only

Renault's intriguing £14k hot hatch mixes Clio 172 bits with a five door body

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Oh how we envy Brazil, which has been given a facelifted version of the £14k Sandero RS hot hatch. In retaining a 150hp 2.0-litre engine, five-speed manual and Mk2 Clio underpinnings, the five-door ensures it holds on to technical links with the brilliant (I’m not biased) Renaultsport 182 of years gone by. The result being a Renault Sandero RS – they’re not badged as Dacias over there – which produces its best as the needle nudges 6,000rpm, just like the good old days.

The 150hp peak output is admittedly only possible when Brazil’s widely available ethanol fuel is used, with the figure dropping by 5hp when petrol is burnt instead. But since the old Clio bits are light and compact by modern standards - the 2.0 Sandero weighs in at 1,160kg - it’s got 129hp per tonne, or about the same as the old Twingo RS. The Sandero’s got more space and more doors than that brilliant old hatch, too, so it’s not exactly trading practicality for its sprightliness.

For 2019, Renault has given its sports hatch an aesthetic makeover, adding new daytime running lights, alloy wheels and mini Megane RS-style taillights. Inside, there’s new infotainment and the plushest version of the Sandero’s dashboard, although as a £14k car (seriously!), it’s still fairly basic stuff. Then again, its simplicity is exactly why we want one in Britain. Anyone fancy a Sandero project car?

[PartOfTheProblem]

I reckon these would sell like hot cakes over here. I think it looks half-decent for a budget warm hatch.

[Mackofthejungle]

PartOfTheProblem said:

I reckon these would sell like hot cakes over here. I think it looks half-decent for a budget warm hatch.

I dunno, people have become pretty snobby about cars over the last ten years...

[thelostboy]

I was in Argentina this year and all of the Dacias are simply Renaults.

Whatsmore, you can actually STILL get a Mk2 Clio over there, albeit with a slight Megane looking front end (not too bad). The interior is recognisable, but they have updated it a bit... would be quite cool to obtain some modern parts for my rather worn 182.

[Tuvra]

Mackofthejungle said:

PartOfTheProblem said:

I reckon these would sell like hot cakes over here. I think it looks half-decent for a budget warm hatch.

I dunno, people have become pretty snobby about cars over the last ten years...

The vast majority of people that buy these will want three doors and sporty looks, just look at 3 door Fiesta ST sales versus the 5 door for an example of this.

[I.miss.my.old.cars]

And there are some "tuners" in brazil getting 200whp on those, NA. Pretty quick at Interlagos.

[Mike1990]

I like that!

They should sell that over here IMO. Reminds me of the Mk3 Swift Sport in 5dr form.

[MustardCutter]

Tuvra said:

The vast majority of people that buy these will want three doors and sporty looks, just look at 3 door Fiesta ST sales versus the 5 door for an example of this.

Are you talking about the current or previous fiesta st? Because for the previous car the 5 door ST was only made available late in the product life cycle, i.e. most buyers had the choice of 3 door or a different car.

[Dale487]

PartOfTheProblem said:

I reckon these would sell like hot cakes over here. I think it looks half-decent for a budget warm hatch.

Its whether they would still be £14K once Dacia imported it plus sensible things like Euro N-Cap ratings and emissions.

[fernando the frog]

thelostboy said:

I was in Argentina this year and all of the Dacias are simply Renaults.

Whatsmore, you can actually STILL get a Mk2 Clio over there, albeit with a slight Megane looking front end (not too bad). The interior is recognisable, but they have updated it a bit... would be quite cool to obtain some modern parts for my rather worn 182.

I just googled it



good lord

[Court_S]

fernando the frog said:

I just googled it



good lord

Yikes - and people get upset at BMW's latest designs!

The car in the article though doesn't actually look too bad at all.

[RumbleOfThunder]

Interesting. I'd like Dacia bring it over here, could be the new (old) Suzuki Swift Sport. N/A 2 litre won't make much sense for our legislation though.

[wab172uk]

PartOfTheProblem said:

I reckon these would sell like hot cakes over here. I think it looks half-decent for a budget warm hatch.

Needs another 50 BHP though

[Frimley111R]

wab172uk said:

PartOfTheProblem said:

I reckon these would sell like hot cakes over here. I think it looks half-decent for a budget warm hatch.

Needs another 50 BHP though

It doesn't, Renault won't want it to take sales from their cars but it could work as a budget Clio RS.

[Turbobanana]

wab172uk said:

Needs another 50 BHP though

While that's a very PH view, I disagree completely. More power = more expense: this would only work as a bargain warm hatch, a competitor to the Swift Sport (sales of which, with~160bhp) seem to be strong.

Looks good, in my view. We hired a basic diesel Sandero Stepway in Italy last year and it was a pleasant enough thing. Until my 6 year old was sick in it.

[anonymous-user]

Does this have the F4R engine from the mk2 RS Clio then?

[Robmarriott]

mstrbkr said:

Does this have the F4R engine from the mk2 RS Clio then?

It’s an F4R but not the same as the 172/182, inlet manifold is different and I suspect it’s not got the decent exhaust manifold either which is part of where the 30bhp has gone.

I was idly thinking about the cheap Sandero with a 182 engine last night after seeing one near my work, would be easy to build and pretty cheap.

[Jon_S_Rally]

Such a shame we don't get this in Britain. It would be great, but I fear legislation would get in the way.

[Turbobanana]

Jon_S_Rally said:

Such a shame we don't get this in Britain. It would be great, but I fear legislation would get in the way.

Would it? The standard Sandero is UK-compatible, so much of the work is done, surely.

I suspect some of it is the re-engineering for RHD (we should have changed years ago, like Sweden did) and some is down to brand perception: Dacia is seen as a bargain brand over here so unless you can "do a Hyundai i30N" people will still stick with their safe choices. Sell it as a more recognisable Renault and people will berate it for being basic so the spec / build improves and the prices climbs accordingly.

Would make a great, cheap one-make race series though... Imagine 30 of these bumbling into Paddock Hill.

[munk]

I have a 1.5dci version of the Sandero. Largely it's not bad, ok even. Think of it like buying shoes from Tesco - and you're not far off. They do the job adequately but after a couple of weeks; you're probably going to wish you'd spent a little bit more on some nice loafers. It's none of the car you want, but all of the car you need.

I imagine among the myriad of sporty hatchbacks, the Sandero RS is quite the same. A Tesco Trainer in a world of Nike and Adidas. It'll appeal to as many people as it turns off. If it was launched in the UK I'm sure Dacia would price it competitively and it might sell a quite a few, but I suspect that big ol' 2L boat anchor wouldn't pass regs. Shame.

To say that I *like* my Sandero, would be to go too far. It's hard to like something that has no redeeming features. But it does have a certain class-less charm. Doubtless the RS would have it too. I've always presumed the Sandero was closely related to a Mk2 Clio and wondered if any of the suspension gubbins from the 172 / 182 could be bolted on. Would be interesting to know what bits have been used in the new RS and they have been modified in any way to fit?

If anyone has any insider info, would be great to know!

[CooperS]

munk said:

It's none of the car you want, but all of the car you need.

Amazing