I bought a Dacia Spring…

[CLK-GTR]

I do like the look of these and had briefly considered ordering one until I saw the horrific crash test results. I think Dacia have nailed the styling and market segment with these but that NCAP rating will hurt.

[ZesPak]

Jeffmaniac said:

Was really interested in this until I saw it had a terrible Ncap crash rating

https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/dacia/spring/4...

Admittedly, still did better than a Renault Zoe!

That's the first model, which was never available in the UK. Don't know if they changed anything, but a lot of the rating has to do with the lack of sensors so they might have added it?

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Why? The fact that it doesn't have lane assist appeals. And what's a bonnet thingy?

"active bonnet" is basically a bonnet on explosive springs, which should pop up when hitting a pedestrian or cyclist, so the bonnet has more room to deform to protect the other road user.

Also costs a stton to replace on some cars, I remember my Jaguar dealer quoting someone over 10k to replace the bonnet and explosives.

[TheDeuce]

That is a very poor ncap score. Extra sensors will improve it a little as they obviously decrease the risk of some impacts happening in the first place, but the material level of occupant protection is simply very low by modern standards.

That said, this is a very cheap entry level car, and is probably significantly safer than many older cars it might typically replace - including those that back in the day got far higher results.

You get what you pay for, including safety, albeit the one star score is lower than I expected.

[Toaster Pilot]

Safer cars are available. A very small number of the “omg NCAP!!!!” people were ever going to buy one anyway though.

[speciald]

I've seen a few of these around. They seem to stand out, probably because they look so small.

[Zero Fuchs]

Good luck with the Spring and sorry to hear about your Ami.

I'm in Rome and there are loads of them around as well as a host of other micro EVs like the dr 1.0, XEV Yoyo, Fiat Topolino and numerous other brands I've never heard of. It seems the Italians are much more open to micro EVs and I like them. Plenty of Smart cars too but these are old news.

I saw my first Inster today and it looks great. Not seen a Spring yet though.

[ZesPak]

First time I've heard of the topolino! Looks like a better looking Ami?

That XEV Yoyo looks great as well, but I'm biased as I've got a soft spot for the Twizy. Too bad the Yoyo seems like a 2 side by side rather than the Twizy setup, making it 30cm wider than the Twizy.
I followed the OH when she was threading the Twizy through town and it's impossible to keep up. It can keep on pushing forward even with parked cars and oncoming traffic.

[geeks]

Saw one yesterday in the local Tesco carpark, actually thought it looked great, small wheels, nice and "tall" so it looked like it had good visibility etc. Yeah can totally see why one as a "city" car would make total sense.

[Zero Fuchs]

ZesPak said:

First time I've heard of the topolino! Looks like a better looking Ami?

That XEV Yoyo looks great as well, but I'm biased as I've got a soft spot for the Twizy. Too bad the Yoyo seems like a 2 side by side rather than the Twizy setup, making it 30cm wider than the Twizy.
I followed the OH when she was threading the Twizy through town and it's impossible to keep up. It can keep on pushing forward even with parked cars and oncoming traffic.

Ah yes the Twizzy. Thanks as I'd forgotten about those. I've seen a fair few of those too. Nice little things and better with side panels for rain protection. I didn't realise you could get them and they look a bit 'Caterham' in that they're a bit flimsy but better than nothing.

Yes the Topolino is a cute little thing.



Here are the ones I've no idea about. Top marks if anyone knows them.

Edited by Zero Fuchs on Thursday 13th March 16:40

[Zero Fuchs]

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but you did mention you liked small EVs.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Zero Fuchs said:

Ah yes the Twizzy. Thanks as I'd forgotten about those. I've seen a fair few of those too. Nice little things and better with side panels for rain protection. I didn't realise you could get them and they look a bit 'Caterham' in that they're a bit flimsy but better than nothing.

Yes the Topolino is a cute little thing.



Here are the ones I've no idea about. Top marks if anyone knows them.

Edited by Zero Fuchs on Thursday 13th March 16:40

Just get a scooter! No dig intended btw. If it's pure city use I don't see the point in tiny EVs.

[geeks]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Just get a scooter! No dig intended btw. If it's pure city use I don't see the point in tiny EVs.

Gotta be safer no? and I imagine it'll suck much less in the winter as well?

[Zero Fuchs]

geeks said:

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Just get a scooter! No dig intended btw. If it's pure city use I don't see the point in tiny EVs.

Gotta be safer no? and I imagine it'll suck much less in the winter as well?

Given how badly the Italians seem to drive here, I'd personally avoid anything on two wheels!

I considered hiring a car, as I've driven in a lot of European cities, but am glad I didn't. In fairness there are loads of scooters though. Ridden equally as badly

[Hugo Stiglitz]

The first time I drove round the Arc de Triomphe I floored it. Opened my window and held out my hand to stop/slow a police car.

My rule is drive like the locals*

• but not like they do in a certain UK city.

[Zero Fuchs]

Loved the Arc de Triomphe. What an experience but you have to attack it and drive positively.

I've not seen any nice cars here though. Either they're not interested or they don't buy them as almost every car I see is dented, scraped or has bits hanging off

[TheDeuce]

Zero Fuchs said:

Loved the Arc de Triomphe. What an experience but you have to attack it and drive positively.

I've not seen any nice cars here though. Either they're not interested or they don't buy them as almost every car I see is dented, scraped or has bits hanging off

I was working in Paris once and passed a Peugeot dealership, they had their cars lined up outside facing the pavement from the forecourt, but there was a high kerb between the two and every single brand new car has been bump parked into it! All they could sell you was a pre-crashed car with cracked plastic and paint

So far as I can work out, the sunnier the country the less they give a fk about having a shiny posh car

[ZesPak]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Just get a scooter! No dig intended btw. If it's pure city use I don't see the point in tiny EVs.

I know plenty of people that don't want to ride a scooter. Also, when using the Twizy we were constantly ferrying a kid to some places, where I live now kids aren't allowed on scooters till they are 8.
We also took bags, groceries, when you're alone the back seat can take a lot.

Also, 4 wheels is more stable than 2, no hassle putting on protective gear either.