One that caught our eye was the Renault Sand’up Concept, a fun, funky and flexible 2+2 coupe that, according to its makers, transforms “from coupe to cabriolet to pick-up on the whim of its passengers”.
The Sand’up is based on the Renault Sandero Stepway, a jacked-up soft-roader version of the Renault Sandero sedan sold in Brazil. The Sand’up, like the Stepway, is about the same size as a Nissan Dualis and described as an “urban sport” vehicle that has been influenced by “sport chic”, an important trend in Brazil.
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The theory goes that the purchase of a pick-up vehicle, or ute in Aussie-speak, is an emotional rather than rational decision for the Brazilians, who want to buy vehicles that express a sporty, urban and young attitude.
The key to the Sand’up is the two distinctive aluminium roof rails that stretch from the front of the roof to the tail lights. Unadorned and with the rear bench seat folded down, the Sand’up becomes a pick-up, albeit one with only 170 cm of space - enough for a couple of surfboards or a bike, although we’re less sure about Renault’s claim that a jet ski will also fit.
Reflective grey paintwork underlines its sophisticated and robust nature, says Renault, while an array of red inserts accentuates the Sand’up’s sporty side.
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