The 2020 Sandero GT Line is actually a relaunch by... Renault, as a way to stimulate the market. The model features some changes both on the exterior and interior. 

Because of its design, the new Sandero GT Line has a sporty appeal, but can it really claim that title? The answer can be found in the following article. 

The Sandero GT Line has a rather curious timeline, with highs and lows, and now in 2020, the sporty model celebrates a decade of life. 

The Sandero GT Line was launched in 2010 and arrived at dealerships as a special limited edition that was sold until mid-2011, at a relatively affordable price at the time. 

What caught the eye was its sporty look and distinctive interior design. The 2010 GT Line featured blacked-out headlights, darkened taillights, side decals, 15-inch alloy wheels, a glossy black rear spoiler, and a chrome exhaust tip. 

Inside, the leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument panel with exclusive graphics, and seat upholstery were the distinguishing features, and the engine was a 1.6 Flex with 112 horsepower and a 5-speed manual transmission. Renault offered ABS brakes as an option for an additional R$ 1,000.

After a hiatus of almost a year, Renault has relaunched the Sandero GT Line, with attractive prices once again and a major restyling. 

The model continued with dark headlights and taillights, an exclusive bumper, black alloy wheels, and the version's logo on the body. Its design was inspired by the old and exclusive Mégane Grand Tour station wagon.

Inside, the red seatbelts caught the eye. The version name on the front headrests and the red stitching on the seats were also attractive. 

The model also featured an on-board computer and had a 1.6 Hi-Power engine under the hood, producing 106 horsepower, with a five-speed manual transmission. 

A little earlier, more precisely in June 2013, Renault began selling the Sandero GT Line for the 2013/2014 model year. The exterior, interior, and engine specifications were the same as the previous version. 

The model featured a new touchscreen Media NAV multimedia system with Bluetooth, MP3 sound, and its main selling point at the time: integrated GPS.

In September 2015, the Renault Sandero GT Line received a new generation and was offered as a milder alternative to its truly sporty sibling, the 150-horsepower RS, featuring more modest looks and performance. 

Experts and purists claim that the 2015 model was the most neutral ever delivered by the automaker, as it featured few aesthetic differences, such as bumpers with chrome details, 16-inch alloy wheels with an exclusive design, and the version name on the trunk lid.

Inside, there were blue details in the stitching on the steering wheel, gearshift knob, and seats. In terms of technology, it featured parking sensors, power windows and locks, electro-hydraulic power steering, and a multimedia center. The engine was a 1.6-liter with only 106 horsepower, paired with a manual transmission.

In 2018, the Sandero GT Line began to be equipped with two engine options, a 1.0 and a 1.6, both flex-fuel. This offering of a milder engine aimed to lower the model's price. 

At the time, the 1.0-liter model cost about R$ 1,000 less than the 1.6-liter version. Like previous versions, it was more cosmetically enhanced than truly functional. The main optional extras were 16-inch wheels with a different design and a reversing camera.

The 1.0 engine offered was the SCE, which delivered up to 82 horsepower when fueled with ethanol, coupled with a five-speed transmission. Production was limited at the time to only 3,500 units. 

With these gaps, we now arrive at the new 2020 Sandero GT Line!

The 2020 Sandero GT Line is based on the mid-range version of the model, the Zen. 

To differentiate itself, the 2020 Sandero GT Line features a standard rear spoiler on top of the trunk lid in the same color as the body, silver-finished plastic appliqués at the base of the rear bumpers, gray-finished exterior mirror caps, darkened taillights, and fog lights.

The model brings the same items The Zen trim comes standard with air conditioning, power locks and front power windows, four airbags, and a multimedia system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The automaker is following the same approach adopted in 2018, with two different engine options. 

The 2020 Sandero GT Line features a 1.0 SCe engine with a manual transmission producing up to 82 horsepower, and a 1.6 engine, also from the SCe 1.6 family, with a CVT X-Tronic transmission producing 118 horsepower. 

The 2020 Sandero GT Line is part of a line of sportier cars; its market positioning objective is to appeal, through its looks, to those who want a Sandero RS but haven't yet been able to fulfill that dream and find the standard versions simply too basic. 

The current lineup further reinforces the aesthetic and emotional appeal, because even with both the 1.0 and 1.6 engines, the model fails to demonstrate any sporting aspirations. 

Available in two configurations, where the engine is the only difference, the 2020 Sandero GT Line starts at R$ 57.390 equipped with a 1.0 engine and R$ 73.290 with a 1.6 engine.  

In addition, the manufacturer offers an extra package that adds electric rear windows, 16-inch wheels, and exclusive seats to the model. This package costs R$ 900.

As shown, the Renault Sandero GT Line only has a sporty look, which may not be enough to boost its sales, and this is directly linked to its price. 

The price of R$ 73,290 charged for the 1.6 CVT version is very close to the R$ 74,800 charged for its older sibling, the Sandero RS, which is equipped with a 2.0 150 horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission and standard features, a true affordable sports car. 

Although there is justification that the GT Line 1.6 CVT and RS versions are made for different audiences, the chances of the more complete version not selling well are high. This is yet another case where the manufacturer ends up competing with itself.

After our analysis, we want to hear from you: What are your impressions of the new 2020 Sandero GT Line? Would you buy one, or would you prefer to invest all that money in an SR? Leave a comment telling us what your obvious choice is.

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