Renault Pars, the local subsidiary of the French auto giant, unveiled a locally made Renault vehicle in a press conference.
The Sandero, which is the global version of the popular Dacia Sandero built in Romania, will be produced by Pars Khodro.
The vehicle's unveiling was attended by local automotive press, including representatives from Financial Tribune's sister publication, Donya-e-Eqtesad.
The news of the new vehicle's launch comes via the company's Public Relations Office, which declared that the vehicle is currently being prepared for mass production.
Currently, a majority of the vehicle's parts are believed to be imported, but previous announcements from the company's executives suggest they plan to indigenize some essential parts.
Combining youthful and modern styling, Sandero looks the part in a segment that offers aging stock. But the centerpiece diamond-shaped badge gracing the front of the bonnet, which dominates the black grille, complements its façade.
The integrated roof spoiler and body-colored side mirrors along with the 15-inch alloy wheels (standard on the Dynamique) hint at a sporty undertone.
But probably where the biggest technological jump can be found is under the hood, because Sandero now utilizes the same three-cylinder 900 cc turbo-engine found in the new Clio. It is an extremely smooth power plant that proves that downsizing is the way of the future.
Capable of offering a relatively sporty drive from its 66 kW of power and 135 Nm of torque, it can go from standstill to 100 km/h in 11.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 175 km/h. The carbon dioxide emissions rating are 119 g/km.
The new Sandero is a well-specced machine, built with cost and style in mind. From the Bluetooth functionality, MP3 radio with USB, air conditioning to electric front and rear windows, the car is properly loaded. It even boasts cruise control, which is unheard of in this segment. Space and practicality cannot be ignored either. Boot space is a best-in-class 292 liters while the large interior can fit four adult occupants.
Having jam-packed Sandero full of the latest tech, Renault is clearly out to make a statement with this car, leaving the consumer wanting nothing extra. In such a hotly contested segment, it seems like the French have done their homework, especially with such a good price proposition.
The price of the vehicle initially is meant to be pegged at 430 million rials for the manual variant ($12,500) and 470 million ($14,000) rials for the automatic gearbox version.
