Renault Kardian: the first of eight new ‘cheap’ Renaults

The Renault Kardian is the first of the eight new models it just announced as part of its new strategy for growth markets. The Kardian is the apparently Renault derivative of ‘our’ Dacia Sandero that AutoWeek was able to show you in a patent image from all angles in March this year. It is evident that the Kardian is a derivative of the Sandero. Just look at the windows and the interior. However, the front and rear of the Renault Kardian are completely different. More different than previous Sanderos for growth markets were. A few years ago, Renault indicated that the time of ‘Dacias with Renault badges’ would soon be over. This Kardian seems to be a way to bring the Sandero to South America and other growth markets with its own Renault front and its own Renault rear without having to incur too much costs. It is still unclear whether it will replace the Sandero there, or will be placed next to it as a more expensive model.

The similarities with the current Sandero are obvious.

The interior of the Kardian is also more different than you might initially expect. Although the layout of the cockpit corresponds to that of cars like the Sandero and everything is in almost the same place, almost every control island, ventilation grille and door handle is designed differently. The Kardian also has a large infotainment screen and even digital instruments. The Sandero, for example, cannot compete with the latter.

The Renault Kardian will be available with 17-inch alloy wheels, has mood lighting and does not disappoint in terms of safety. Renault reports six airbags and thirteen active and passive safety systems. Also striking is the small selector lever to control the double-clutch automatic transmission. The Renault Kardian will in any case be launched in South America with a 125 hp and 220 Nm strong blown 1.0 three-cylinder. It will initially only be built in Brazil, but should eventually also see the light of day in Morocco.