Dacia premieres a new hybrid Sandero for 19,890 euros

For several years now, the Dacia Sandero has been the best-selling car in Spain, and one of the best-selling passenger cars in Europe, thanks to its commitment and balance between price, features, and capabilities. Until now, however, the Sandero did not have any electrified version, and customers opting for the Eco-labeled version had to settle for the Eco-G variant, which uses a combustion engine capable of running on conventional gasoline or LPG.The Sandero takes a big leap forward with the self-charging conventional hybrid or HEV version already used by the Dacia Jogger and Duster, and which now makes it the cheapest conventional hybrid technology vehicle on the market, with a base price of 19,890 euros for the Expression variant and 20,890 for the better-equipped Journey variant. These versions would rise to 21,290 and 22,690 euros if opting for the Sandero Stepway version, with the aesthetics of an all-terrain or crossover model.A simple and effective mechanic

The new Sandero hybrid uses the proven mechanics of Renault group models like the Clio or Captur to offer a combined 155 HP thanks to the sum of a 1.8 four-cylinder combustion engine with 109 HP and two small electric motors powered by a 1.4 kWh lithium battery. The first electric motor has the function of providing power to the assembly (the equivalent of about 50 HP) and the second small motor acts as a generator to handle the starting and ignition system or electronic tasks such as the lighting system, air conditioning, or radio, among others.

This new Sandero hybrid can only be paired with a four-speed automatic transmission for the combustion engine and two more for the electric motor, and thanks to its regenerative braking system, it is capable of covering up to 80% of its journey in urban environments in fully electric mode, allowing for an approved combined fuel consumption of 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers, a truly surprising figure.The first conventional hybrid Sandero is also a statement of intent from Dacia, which until now had reserved this mechanical option for its more aspirational (and expensive) models like the Duster, Bigster, or Jogger, among others. The Sandero is the cheapest car from this mainstream brand with an affordable soul, which has historically competed with the Seat Ibiza to become the best-selling car in Spain. The arrival of this hybrid version with 155 HP for less than 20,000 euros (the price of a 115 HP Ibiza with an internal combustion engine) could be a differentiating factor that allows the balance to tip once again in favor of the Romanian model.