Renault acquired Dacia in September 1999, and at the time, the Romanian brand, which was founded in 1966, has an outdated model lineup.
This changed in 2004 with the introduction of the Logan, which became one of the best-selling cars in Eastern Europe and Russia, and the Sandero hatchback that followed in 2008.
Dacia decided to revamp its core line-up at the same time and picked the 2012 Paris Auto Show for the debut of the new Logan, Sandero and Sandero Stepway.
All three models share the same newly-styled front end and new dark-carbon or two-tone (according to model and trim) dashboard that sports chrome accents on the air-vents, steering-wheel logo and gear lever and, according to Dacia, better fit and finish.
It may not sound very impressive compared to other models, but for low-cost, very affordable cars like the Logan and the Sandero, the inclusion of features like a multimedia system with a 7-inch touch screen, sat-nav, MP3-playing capability, USB and jack sockets, steering mounted controls and Bluetooth connectivity is a novelty.
The most important change, though, is found under the hood. That’s because for the first time ever, Dacia’s models get a modern, Renault-sourced TCe 90 turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine.
The new unit has a 0.9-liter capacity and sports a low inertia turbocharger. It has an output of 88HP (90PS) and 135 Nm (99.5 lb-ft) of torque, 90 percent of which is available from as low as 1,650 rpm.
Buyers can also opt for the naturally-aspirated 74HP (75PS) 1.2-liter petrol engine, which when it becomes homologated, will be offered in the UK in an LPG version for even lower running costs.
The engine line-up also includes two versions of the 1.5-liter dCi unit, both Euro 5 compliant with 74 or 88HP (75 and 90PS) and in the Logan and Sandero, CO2 emissions of 99 g/km.
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