Bold new 2028 Dacia Sandero primed to gain 249-mile EV
It will offer familiar levels of passenger space and a 410-litre boot – bigger than the Skoda Fabia’s and Vauxhall Corsa’s.
Sandero goes electric
The biggest changes will be beneath the bodywork, enabling the next version of Dacia’s best-seller to become the firm’s second EV, after the Spring city car.
There is no version of RGMP that is capable of accommodating both electric and combustion powertrains. The Renault 5 uses the electric-only RGEV Small architecture, while the same-sized Clio sits on the RGMP Small platform for ICE and hybrid models.
In order to offer ICE and EV in one model line, therefore, Dacia’s engineers have adapted the RGMP, making technical compromises to accommodate an electric motor and an underfloor battery. They have also taken the opportunity to shed around 100kg in a bid to improve efficiency.
The Sandero Electric will share its Chinese-sourced, 107bhp Shanghai e-Drive motor with the entry-level Renault 5, along with its 44kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. Although the original range target was 242 miles, the latest information from company sources suggests it will manage slightly more than 249 miles.
The electric model will play a crucial role in reducing Dacia’s fleet CO2 emissions and balancing the output of its Jogger, Duster, Bigster and Striker models, so keen pricing will be essential.
Based on its specification and positioning, a starting price of around £18,500 seems likely for the EV, putting it up against the Citroën ë-C3 and Fiat Grande Panda, as well as new Chinese small cars including the Geely EX2, MG Go, Chery Q and Leapmotor B03. The current petrol Sandero is priced from just under £15,000.
Cheaper ICE model
The 2028 Sandero range will also feature a new entry-level petrol engine. The 99bhp 1.0-litre TCe will make way for a new 1.2-litre TCe unit with the same power output, produced by Renault-backed engine manufacturer Horse, with a lower starting price.
The current Sandero recently received a new 153bhp full-hybrid powertrain, based around a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, which is taken from the Duster crossover and has a capacity and output deemed too large for the new supermini.
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