Dacia Sandero for the UK

Luxury brands like Infiniti and Lancia won’t be the only new kids on the block in 2009 – budget brand Dacia will hit UK roads, too. It unveiled the Sandero (above) in Geneva, and the car is set to start from below £7,000.

Yet despite its supermini price tag, the five-door Sandero is closer in size to a small family model. It also offers a 320-litre boot, which extends to 1,200 litres with the rear seats flat.

On the Continent, the Sandero is available with a choice of four engines. However, UK bosses have yet to decide which will make it to British showrooms. The options comprise 73bhp 1.4-litre and 88bhp 1.6-litre petrols, plus 68bhp and 83bhp versions of Renault’s frugal 1.5 dCi diesel. The oil-burner is sure to appeal thanks to CO2 emissions of 120g/km.

Between 30 and 50 per cent of Renault dealers will sell Dacias in branded areas of the showroom.