DACIA is upgrading its top of the range Sandero Stepway model with a more powerful engine and introducing a new trim level to the Sandero hatch line up.

The high specification Stepway Extreme model is being fitted with a TCe 110 engine that gives Britain's top-selling budget crossover a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 10 seconds and a fuel return of up to 45.6mpg.

Emissions are 125g/km for the car fitted with a six-speed manual transmission.

The Euro 6-compliant engine takes the drivetrain options available for the Sandero Stepway Extreme to four with the model also available with TCe 90, TCe 90 automatic and TCe 100 bi-fuel powertrains.

Prices for the Sandero Stepway Extreme with the new engine start from £18,645 while Dacia is also adding a Journey trim level - a specification already available on the Duster SUV - to the Sandero hatch range.

The addition of the Journey specification brings more equipment to the five-door supermini as well as the availability of automatic transmission when it is fitted with the TCe 90 engine.

The car comes with automatic air conditioning, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, electronic parking brake, blind spot warning and the MediaNav infotainment system with eight-inch screen, DAB radio, Bluetooth, smartphone replication, USB-C ports front and rear, six speakers, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Outside, the Journey has a shark-fin antenna, 16-inch alloy wheels and black door mirrors, while inside there's a high central armrest with console storage, removable phone support, flexible boot floor and door sill protectors.

The Sandero Journey costs from £15,795.