Dacia Sandero RS teased

Renault has released a teasing YouTube video of a new Renault Sport version of the Dacia Sandero.

In the video, released late last night, it shows engineers unloading a vehicle that’s clearly a camouflaged Sandero RS.

Confusingly, the Sandero is badged as a Renault as some markets, like Russia, where only Renault-badged Dacias are sold.

Apart from the video little is known about the forthcoming production car other than what Renaultsport boss, Patrice Ratti, announced at the Moscow motor show last year.

Back then he revealed the French car-maker’s performance arm had begun work on a Dacia model but ruled out the Renault Clio RS 200’s 147kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine would power it, saying that big power wasn't needed for an RS Dacia.

“A Sandero is lighter than a Clio, so you don’t need that much power." said Ratti, suggesting the Sandero RS is poised get a more powerful version of its stock 74kW 1.6-litre petrol four.

Cost restrictions for the budget brand will also mean the Sandero is likely to miss out of the Clio RS 200’s dual-clutch transmission.

Instead, work is expected to focus on adding bespoke springs and dampers and taking even more weight out of the current Romanian-built hatch.

As well as the new Sandero RS, Renault Sport has also confirmed it is currently working on a new performance version of the Captur small SUV and the new Mazda CX-5-rivalling Kadjar not sold here.