After the success registered on the European market, the Sandero is ready to conquer the Russian market, under the Lada logo. According to zr.ru who published these photos, the AvtoVaz factory will produce from 2014 two new Lada models based on Dacia Sandero and on Dacia Sandero Stepway.

Compared to the Romanian Dacia Sandero model, the Russian Lada Sandero will  have a pronounced facelift, the front side will be more aggressive than robust, using elements of design from the Lada Chest X-Ray concept, presented last year.

The back side has more extensive changes: the vertical taillights are connected by a horizontal bar to the rear window, there is a third side window for better visibility, and the body is slightly modified in the superior side.

There are no official information about the names of the tow new Lada models, but it seems it will be Lada BM and Lada B-Cross. The Lada sandero model will be exported also in Europe, and will be a direct competitor to the Dacia Sandero.

Here is the motivation of Euan Doig, the What a car? group production editor.

Dacia managed to sell nearly 1,700 Sandero units in January 2013, that represented a market share of 3.4% of the total cars sold in Spain. The Romanian’s model performance is even more valuable as the Sandero was ranked 18th in the top selling models in Spain during 2012. This spectacular increase is due to the launching of the new generation of Sandero in December last year. Behind Sandero, in the best selling models ranking were Nissan Qashqai (1577 units sold) and Seat Leon (1352 units sold).

The other Dacia models were ranked on 48 – Duster (with 338 units sold), 76- Lodgy (182 units sold) and 121- Logan (60 units sold).

In the brand sales ranking, Dacia occupied the 13th position with 2,272 units sold in Spain, while the first positions were occupied by Seat (4123 units sold), Volkswagen (3730 units sold) and Opel (3629 units sold).

The first position in sales in France in January was Peugeot 208 (6890 units sold). followed by Renault Clio (6595 units) and Citroen C3 (4377 units). Just below the podium and in front of Sandero were Renault Magane and Renault Scenic.

Dacia Lodgy had a first complete month of sales in France and was ranked on 29th position with 1168 units sold. Overall, the Romanian car manufacturer owned by Renault sold 7263 cars, that represent an increase of 9.9% compared to January 2012.

Besides the major design features taken from Sandero, the new Stepway version comes with an attractive design and a new color: Blue Azurite. The new Dacia Sandero Stepway will be offered with only two engine versions: the dCi 90 and the TCe 90. The Sandero Stepway dCi version has an average consumption of 4.0 liters per cent and emits 105 grams of CO2 in mixed cycle.

The Sandero Stepway comes with the new Dacia Plug & Radio, available in Logan and Sandero ranges, a multimedia solution that integrates a 2DIN screen and a MP3 CD. In  addition, the unit offers Bluetooth for mobile phone connection, steering wheel controls, USB connector and AUX jack. Optionally, the customers can order the Dacia MEDIA NAV, a navigation system with a 18 inches touch screen, which was launched with the Dacia  Lodgy. The new Dacia Sandero Stepway 2 will have a starting price of 10,800 euros.

For another 600 pounds, the British can buy the Ambiance version of Dacia Sandero that has radio CD with USB and Bluetooth, electric front windows, central locking, 15-inch alloy wheels and spoilers in the color of the body. The top version for the UK market is the Laureate version, whose price starts at £ 7,995 and includes air conditioning, electrically adjustable heated mirrors, electric windows and cruise control. The multimedia and navigation system with touchscreen will cost £ 250 in the UK.

The Sandero for the UK will have three engine versions: two petrol engine –the 1.2 liter and 75 HP engine or the new 0.9 liter TCe turbocharged engine with 90 HP. The third version is the 1.5dCi diesel engine with 90 HP.

Dacia Sandero 2 will have a starting price of 6,990 euros (price available for the model powered by an 1.2 and 75 HP engine and the Access equipment version) with 310 euros cheaper than the previous model.

The Sandero Stepway 2 has a starting price of 10,800 euros, which is which is higher than the previous generation price, because the basic version is powered by the new 0.9-liter TCe turbo engine with 90 Hp.

The new models of Sandero will come with four engine options: two petrol units – a 1.2 with 16v and 75 HP and the TCe 90 and two diesel engines: the dCi 75 and the dCi 90. In the latter part of the year, Dacia will offer a GPL engine for Sandero. The basic equipment level of Sandero 2 will include power steering, split rear seat 60/40, front and side airbags. The next equipment level, Ambiance, brings remote central locking, front electric windows, audio system Dacia Plug & Radio (radio CD with MP3, AUX jack and USB), Bluetooth and steering wheel controls. The top equipment level, Laureate, brings an air-conditioning system, board computer and a modular package consisting in height adjustable driver seat, adjustable steering wheel and height-adjustable front seat belts.

The new Sandero 2 will have a starting price of 6,990 euros all taxes including.

The new Sandero Stepway is the third model that Dacia presented today in its stand in Paris. Besides the design taken from Sandero , the Stepway version comes with an attractive design and a new color: Blue Azurite.

Compared with Sandero 2, the Stepway 2 version has a higher ground clearance, a set of side skirts ornaments with satin silver finish, a set of lower plastic trim bumpers painted in the same shade, and fog projectors. The Sandero Stepway 2 will be offered with the  dCi 90 and TCe 90 engines. The dCI version of Sandero Stepway has an average consumption of 4.0 liters per cent and emits 105 grams of CO2 in mixed cycle.

The Sandero Stepway has 16-inch alloy wheels, a dedicated upholstery and the metallic paint is standard. The Prestige equipment level of Sandero Stepway brings the Media NAV system, manually climate system, cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking sensors and electric rear windows.

The new Sandero Stepway 2 will have a starting price of 10,800 euros all taxes included.

At the aesthetic level, the new Dacia Sandero 2 is characterized by a completely new front  side in line with what we saw today on the new Logan 2. The headlights are completely changed, and the round lines of the previous model are replaced by some angular and simple ones, that seem a stylistic evolution in Dacia models over the years. At the rear, the new Sandero 2 – which is slightly shorter than the model it replaces – comes with taillights reminding of those of VW Polo, BMW 1 Series or the new Mercedes A-Class, and bring  a radical change from the previous model.

Some interesting changes are on the interior, where the new Dacia Sandero 2 has aesthetic improvements that bring it closer to 2012 in terms of lines, technology and materials. Thus, even if remains with a simple and easy to understand dashboard, the new Sandero will have in the center the new multimedia display inaugurated by the Lodgy. Obviously, it will be available for a fee – about 300 euros – same as on the Lodgy – but it is not a huge price if you are looking for a more coherent, more pleasant visually and – obviously – much more useful dashboard. Another interesting element is the steering wheel cruise control system but the  buttons for the electric windows are placed in the same place: the central tunnel between the seats.

Dacia Sandero 2 comes with innovations not only on the aesthetic level, but also in terms of technology. According to the French journalists, the new Sandero will be powered by a new engine – the new Renault TCe turbocharged 0.9-liter and 90 HP engines – used so far on the new Twingo and Clio models. The engine has three cylinders and is a very interesting alternative for those who avoided Dacia because of its outdated engines. Obviously, the classic Dacia engines – 75 HP petrol engine and the 75 HP  and 90 HP diesel engines – will also be available in order to ensure the model Dacia model will have an accessible price.