Dacia Sandero Bi-fuel

LPG may be popular in other markets, but it’s never taken off here. Dacia aims to change that On sale Now Price from £9145

WHAT’S BETTER THAN one fuel tank? That’s right: two. That’s the thinking of Dacia, Renault’s budget sister brand, which is blazing a trail by giving us ‘Bi-fuel’ versions of its Sandero, Duster and Logan MCV models. These are the only cars currently offered in the UK that are powered by petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) straight from the factory. Before now, buyers who wanted to make use of LPG would have had to pay to retrospectively convert their cars to accept the fuel.

Dacia’s LPG models have a regular 50-litre petrol tank, but a press of a button next to the five-speed manual gearbox has the turbocharged engine feeding from the 40-litre LPG tank instead. The changeover is seamless, and you’ll notice no difference in noise or performance.

On paper, the argument for running on LPG is strong. CO2 emissions are 11% lower, and although fuel consumption actually increases, the fact that LPG

BUYER’S FILE

is so much cheaper at the pumps means there are still big potential savings to be made. In fact, according to Dacia, running on LPG is 40% cheaper than on petrol. And with 1200 refuelling stations in the UK you stand a decent chance of being conveniently near one. So, with the Bi-fuel versions costing only £400 extra, is there any compromise to weaken the deal?

Well, the LPG tank is placed where the spare wheel would usually be, so there’s no reduction in boot space. Otherwise, the usual Dacia caveats apply; this Sandero is one of the cheapest cars in the UK, and the mass of hard, grey plastics on the dashboard are a reminder of that, as are driving dynamics that don’t shine in the class.

If you’re after a small car that’s rewarding to travel in, the Ford Fiesta handles better, while the Volkswagen Polo is more comfortable and far plusher inside.

Still, the Sandero – along with its siblings – has always specialised in value. With the Bi-fuel option on the table, it now offers even more money-saving potential.

Dacia Sandero Stepway SE Twenty TCE 100 Bi-fuel Price Engine Power Torque Gearbox 0-62mph Top speed Economy CO2, tax band