► Sandero RS trailered on YouTube
► For Latin American markets only
► Will be badged as a Renault, not Dacia
The cheap and cheerful Dacia Sandero, currently the most inexpensive new car you can buy in Britain, is about to get a whole lot more cheerful. Absurd as it may sound, this short trailer video surfaced on Renaultsport’s YouTube channel confirms the existence of an upcoming hot version: the Renault Sandero RS. Yep, you read that right.
Bad news for bargain-seeking hot hatch fans in Europe, though – it’s set for release in South American markets only. That’s why it’s badged as a Renault, rather than a Dacia – the Sandero is marketed under the Renault banner in Brazil and other non-European markets.
Boo. What will we be missing then?
Other than the fact that it exists and it’s bound for South America, Renault hasn’t divulged much else about the warmed-up Sandero. It will be developed by Renaultsport, the company’s in-house performance engineering department.
The car rolling out of the transporter in the video sports new front bumpers, with some spangly LED lights. Perhaps it’s even body-coloured underneath that infinite puzzle-style camo. Much of the front styling, from the wing shape along the lower bumper to the RS logo underneath the plus-sized Renault diamond, is reminiscent of the current Renaultsport Clio 200 Turbo.
Let’s not forget that under its dowdy bodywork the Sandero’s based on the previous-generation Clio, which turned out a pretty good hot hatch in Renaultsport’s hands. So the Sandero RS could turn out to be a really quite rewarding little driver’s car. Shame we won’t be able to find out for sure.