Half dune buggy, half...

Half dune buggy, half family hatchback тЂ“ this is the latest offering from Renault.

Called the Sandero SandтЂ™up, itтЂ™s wowing visitors to BrazilтЂ™s Sao Paulo Motor Show with its innovative, all-action design.

Described by Renault as a 2+2 beach runabout, it puts fun before practicality. But a clever modular construction allows the SandтЂ™up to be transformed from a hard-top coupé to a convertible pick-up with the removal of its roof panel. In pick-up configuration, with the rear bench folded, the load bay can also be extended to take larger cargo such as jet-skis, bikes and surfboards.

ItтЂ™s the first car to be penned by RenaultтЂ™s South American division, and has an attractive colour scheme, transparent doors and black alloys. The 1.6-litre engine runs on unleaded or ethanol тЂ“ a popular fuel in Brazil. While the SandтЂ™up wonтЂ™t come here, the Sandero on which itтЂ™s based arrives in 2010, badged as a Dacia.

ItтЂ™s set to start from ТЈ7,000.