The new Dacia Sandero has officially become the cheapest car in the UK, where it will start at lowly £5,995. According to the Renault-owned budget brand, the Sandero will become "
the most affordable car in the UK", taking the place of the Suzuki Alto (which had an introductory VAT free offer of £5,995, but has since gone up to £7,195)
Dacia boast that the new 5-door Sandero will be priced the same as a 1 litre, Ford Fiesta...from 1989! However, buyers beware, if you choose the entry level version you will have to skimp on features that have become standard these days. The most striking of all is that it comes with NO radio, although it has some wires to connect one! You will also have to do without central locking, air-con, electric windows and funnily enough you can only have the car in white (with no coloured bumpers!).
There will be three trim levels, Access, Ambience and Laureate and we must admit that for a meagre £6k you still get plenty of bits and bobs on the entry level that most certainly weren't around in the 80's; 15 inch steel wheels, 4 air bags, ABS brakes, power assisted steering and daytime running lights. Spend a little more, and you can upgrade to bluetooth and USB connections, leather upholstery, parking sensors, 7 inch touch-screen satellite navigation and steering wheel mounted audio controls (Of course you need a radio for this to be useful!)
What's under the bonnet though? The Sandero comes with a choice of 2 petrol and 1 diesel engines. Entry level has a 1.2 litre petrol, 74bhp engine which Dacia claim will do approx 48mpg. Next up then is the 0.9 litre, 84bhp petrol engine, which should get you about 54mpg, Finally the top level, 1.5 litre diesel will churn out a very decent 74mpg with a top speed of 106mph.
All cars will get a 3 years, 60,000 mile warranty, which you can upgrade if you wish. They are already available to pre-order in the UK with deliveries expected in January. It is expected to launch in Ireland in late November.
