This is the new Dacia Sandero, a sub-£7000 Ford Fiesta rival that parent firm Renault bills as one of the UK’s most affordable new cars.

The new Sandero is seen here officially for the first time ahead of its public debut at next week’s Paris motor show. It will arrive in UK showrooms alongside the £8995 Duster crossover next January, when Renault’s budget brand is officially launched in the UK.

Underpinning the new Sandero is the same B0 platform used for Dacia’s entire product line-up. Using the same platform across five model lines helps Dacia to achieve the economies of scale that result in low list prices.

But despite the familiar underpinnings, the new five-door Sandero gets a much more distinctive look than its conservative predecessor.

The styling is chunky and characterful and the front end’s look is taken from the Duster.

The interior design and quality are also a big leap from the current Sandero and appear to have more in common with Renault models than its budget siblings.

Dacia says the Sandero’s cabin will be among the most spacious in its class. Boot space, at 320 litres with the seats up and 1200 litres with them down, eclipses that of the five-door Fiesta by 25 litres and 221 litres respectively.

Full pricing and spec details — including the engine line-up — will be announced next month.

The standard Sandero will be joined at the Paris motor show by a rugged Stepway version. It is expected to account for about half of all Sandero sales and is due to reach the UK in the spring.

It rides 40mm higher than the standard car and gets a revised front end look, front and rear skid plates, flared wheel arches, 16-inch wheels, roof rails and an Azurite blue paint finish.

Thanks to: Autocar