Nova was the first car entirely designed at Colibasi plant by Romanian designers. The time needed for that car to be completed was long, which explains the slightly outdated design of the coachwork. The car was a berline in 2,1/2 volumes with hayon, 5 doors, 5 places and was named R523. The 1,557 cc engine was transversely placed, leading to a 72 HP power.

Performances: 160 km/h speed, 1-100km/h in 15.9 sec acceleration. At the Bucharest Motorshow SAB'96 was exibited the three volumes type (R524). From 1998 to 2000 Dacia Nova was produced only with this type of bodywork and was equipped with Bosch fuel injection.
In 2000, after Dacia was bought by Renault, Dacia Nova was enhaced, receiving the 1.4 MPI engine and gearbox from Renault Clio. This car, named SupeRNova, was produced until 2003 when it was reshaped again and renamed Solenza.
Solenza had a new redesigned interior, with the dashboard from Renault Clio. The engine was the same 1.4 MPI from Clio but the gearbox was modified. Also, Solenza received the 1.9 diesel engine from the 1304 pick-up range. The top-end version Scala comes with power steering, electronic engine immobilizer, power windows at the front, air conditioning, and sound system with CD player and 4 loudspeakers.