Citing a claim from German publication Auto Bild, indianautosblog.com reports that the Sandero will swap the current model’s B0-platfrom for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s new CMF-B architecture, which has been developed to accommodate both low-cost and more premium models.

In spite of its move up the ranking, which will likely see it compete with versions of the Golf and Renault Megane, the Sandero will be underpinned by the former’s platform in order to keep costs down, with the Romanian automaker allegedly also targeting a five-star EuroNCAP rating and fitment of Autonomous Emergency Braking.

Up front, the Sandero is expected to continue with the current range of petrol and diesel engine, although the publication claims that it could also receive the new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine co-developed with Daimler, which will power the next Clio and is already used by the Mercedes-Benz in the new A-class.

At present, the next Sandero is only due to arrive towards the end of 2019 with a supposed starting price of €8 000 (R132 164) in Europe.