Sandero on sale here from today

The first right hand drive Dacia Sandero cars go on sale in Dacia dealerships around the country today priced from €9,990 a price the brand says they will hold 'certainly for January', writes Trish Whelan.

There will not be an issue with availability. Over 100 cars are here for the launch and another 300-400 will come during the year. Over 80 percent of sales are expected to be conquest sales.

Engines include a 1.2 75bhp in tax band B2 at €9,990; a TCe 90bhp with Start/Stop with 116g/km C02 (Band A4) at €11,090-€13,090; and the only diesel, a 1.5dCi 90bhp in Tax Band A2 and priced from €12,490-€14,490. The 1.2 is expected to be the volume seller here, especially for town and city buyers. (TCe version is pictured above).

The TC3 90 sips 5.0 L/100kms (56.5mpg); the 1.2 48.7mpg or 5.84 L/100kms, while the frugal 1.5 diesel returns 3.8 L/100kms or 74.3mpg.

Two trim levels are offfered: Alternative and Signature.

The entry level features Electronic Stability Control, Emergency Brake Assist, four airbags, 60/40 split folding rear seat, electric front windows and radio with CD, MP3, USB and Bluetooth as standard. The Signature trim adds 15-inch alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, 7-function trip computer, cruise control, front fog lights, air conditioning and rear electric windows.

Sandero, which is boxy Germanic in shape, is built in Romania. The previous Sandero (which never came to Ireland) was awarded three stars for safety from Euro NCAP. Dacia Ireland's MD Duncan Minto expects a better performance from this new Sandero with its 'vastly improved safety levels'. There is no information yet as to when the test will happen.