Dacia 2009

Dacia took the wraps off Sandero Stepway at simultaneous events at the Barcelona Motor Show and at the L'Atelier Renault showroom in Paris. The adventurer looks of this variant of Sandero seeks to build on the success enjoyed by Dacia's compact yet spacious hatchback, sales of which have reached 60,000 units across Europe and in the Maghreb region since its launch in July 2008.

Dacia Sandero Stepway's athletic build is expected to notably appeal to younger buyers looking for an affordable vehicle with bags of personality. Thanks to its raised ground clearance, satin-finish chrome front and rear skid-plates and sills, chrome longitudinal roofbars and chrome exhaust tailpipe, Dacia Sandero Stepway is more than ready to hit the adventure trail. Three metallic body colours are available as standard: Platine Grey, Comète Grey and Feu Red.

It goes without saying that Dacia Sandero Stepway features the same strengths that have helped forged the success of its sibling, Sandero, namely unrivalled cabin space for its price (it comfortably seats five tall adults, plus a 320dm3 VDA boot), as well as the model's widelyacclaimed impeccable reliability.Depending on market, Dacia Sandero Stepway will be available with either 1.6 90hp petrol or dCi 70 diesel power. It is manufactured at the brand's ISO 14001-certified plant in Pitesti, Romania. More than five per cent of the plastics it contains are sourced from recycling and the car is 95 per cent end-of-life recoverable. This, combined with Dacia Sandero Stepway dCi 70's CO2 emissions rating of just 140g/km make it eligible for the Dacia eco² signature. The latest addition to the Dacia line-up boasts an unbeatable equipment and performance package for its price and will be available for sale in the majority of its European markets from September 2009. Order books are due to open in July 2009. Like all Dacia models in Europe, Dacia Sandero Stepway will come with a three-year or 100,000km warranty.

Dacia Sandero Stepway is based on the Ambiance version (central locking, power steering, etc.) and, in addition to its specific styling details, features a long list of comfort-related equipment, including a 60/40- split folding rear benchseat and foglamps for enhanced visibility at night-time and in fog. Drivers will particularly appreciate the slightly raised driving position, while the pleasure felt at the wheel of Dacia Sandero Stepway is further enhanced by the performance of the 1.6 MPI 90hp petrol and dCi 70hp diesel engines (depending on market), two powerplants which have already shown their worth under the bonnet of other Dacia models. Thrifty combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.6 and 5.3 litres/100km respectively only adds to the appeal of the 1.6 MPI and dCi 70 versions of Dacia Sandero Stepway. Last but not least, Dacia Sandero Stepway dCi 70 emits just 140g of CO2/km, making it eligible the Dacia eco² signature.