By Redação AutoIndústria / Translated Jorge Meditsch
Former leader and currently Renault’s fourth bestselling model in the internal market, with meager 7.4 thousand units sold in nine months, the Sandero has been lacking attractions to recover customers and market share. Renault knew it and, this Thursday, launched the Stepway Zen 1.0.
The new version resorts to the adventurer Stepway aesthetics, which pleased the consumers over the last years, now combined with the 82 cv 1.0-liter engine. The idea is to attract the eyes to the hatch and its adventurer lineup also with its price.
Compared to the Stepway Zen 1.6 MT and the Iconic 1.6 CVT, the Zen 1.0 is the most affordable version. Its suggested price is R$ 77,990.00, nearly R$ 20 thousand less than Sandero Stepway Zen 1.6, a significant difference in this segment.
Even without a raised suspension, so far a Stepway characteristic, the Zen 1.0 has visual attributes and contents that will make the consumer think about it as an alternate in the Renault lineup or other brands’ competitors.
It has a sturdier front bumper, fog lights with a chrome frame and a silver front skid plate, wider fenders, roof bars, LED running lights in “C” around the headlights and a grille with chrome details. At the rear, the LED lights and the bumper with integrated parking sensors stand out.
There are also four standard airbags, electro-hydraulic steering, seat and steering wheel height adjustment, onboard computer, alarm, electric “one-touch” front windows, electric locking, knife key, 15-inch wheels and Media Evolution system with Apple CarPlay and Apple Carplay interface.
The engine is the well-known flex-fuel three-cylinder 1.0 SCe, which delivers 82 cv with ethanol, and the transmission is manual. The Zen 1.0 also has the Stop&Start system, which can save up to 5% in fuel consumption.
Photograph: Renault
