The Dacia Sandero Stepway was officially unveiled today at the Barcelona Motor Show. Based on its success achieved with the Sandero model that was sold in 60,000 units across Europe, the Dacia Sandero Stepway is trying to attract younger potential buyers that are interested in an affordable SUV with personality and also mobility thanks to its 175 mm ground clearance.
The Dacia Sandero Stepway will come equipped with two types of engines depending on the market : one is the 1.6 litre petrol engine developing 90 horsepower that needs 7.6 liters of fuel to cover 100 Kilometres and the other is the dCi 70 diesel engine with a 5.3 litres/100Km fuel consumption figure.
Info on the Dacia Sandero Stepway price was not revealed but the vehicle is expected to go on sale in most of the European markets in September 2009.
Renault press release :
DACIA SANDERO STEPWAY: THE AFFORDABLE ADVENTURER
– Today saw Dacia take 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 will 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.
Dacia Sandero Stepway 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.
BORN FOR ADVENTURE
Dacia Sandero Stepway’s trailblazing looks are a sure sign that it was born for adventure. Its raised ground clearance (up 20mm compared with the Sandero hatchback), black and body-coloured bumpers – which house the satin-finish chrome front and rear skid-plates –, foglamps and longitudinal roofbars (black and satin-finish chrome) ensure that Dacia Sandero Stepway is in its element whatever the type of road.
Dacia Sandero Stepway combines sporty appeal and refinement thanks to details such as its black headlamp masks, chrome grille trim, 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels (depending on market), satin-finish chrome exterior mirrors, door handles and sills, and chrome exhaust tailpipe which all contribute to the model’s assertive personality. Inside, the specific black upholstery with visible white stitching combines with the Stone Grey centreconsole fascia, air vents, steeringwheel rim and door grab handles to add a touch of elegance to Dacia Sandero Stepway’s adventurous appearance.
This forceful vehicle features Stepway branding on the front doors and front chrome door sills, while decorative graphics for the sides of the rear wings are also available as accessories.
AN ATTRACTIVE LINE-UP
In addition to its unmistakable individual character, Dacia Sandero Stepway boasts the same strengths that have helped forge the success of its elder, the compact Sandero hatchback, namely a roomy interior, safety, reliability and an unbeatable performance and equipment package for its price.
Sandero Stepway is a particularly spacious vehicle which can seat up to five tall adults thanks to its generous dimensions. It also delivers record carrying capacity thanks to its 320dm3 VDA boot which extends to 1,200dm3 VDA with the rear seats folded.
Dacia Sandero Stepway’s safety equipment includes Bosch 8.1 ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA), plus driver and front passenger airbags.
Built on the B0 platform, Dacia Sandero Stepway’s boasts robustness and quality, and also benefits from extensive anti-corrosion treatment (underbody, sill and wheel arch gravel protection, wax-injected hollow sections, etc.).
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. A choice of three metallic finishes is available as standard: Mercury Grey, Comète Grey and Ruby Red.
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.
In keeping with the Dacia brand’s philosophy, Sandero Stepway boasts an unbeatable performance and equipment package for its price and is due to go on sale from September 2009 in the majority of its European markets.
Like the entire Dacia range, Sandero Stepway will come with a three-year or 100,000km warranty.
SANDERO STEPWAY: FROM SOUTH AMERICA TO EUROPE
Dacia Sandero Stepway is the European version of Renault Sandero Stepway, one of the Renault’s range’s latest additions in Brazil which is manufactured at the brand’s Curitiba plant. More than 80 per cent of the parts developed especially for Dacia Sandero Stepway (like the roofbars and front and rear bumpers) are shared by the South American version.
Renault Sandero Stepway is marketed in Brazil and Argentina where more than 2,700 units have already been sold between its launch at the end of 2008 and the end of March 2009. Renault Sandero Stepway’s assertive looks have contributed to the success of Renault Sandero which has enjoyed sales of 59,000 units up to the end of March 2009 in South America.

Source: Renault