Say hello to the new Dacia Spring
No mere refresh, either - latest Spring is now based on Renault Twingo architecture
While the Dacia Spring hasn’t been on sale tremendously long, it was always an old design even new, with architectural roots going back quite a few years. That could be seen in the crash test results, teeny tiny tyres and back to basics nature. Charming in its own way, if undoubtedly a bit flawed.
Now there’s a new Spring, no longer anything to do with the Renault Kwid. It’s actually built from RG-EV toolkit, the same EV architecture that underpins the very impressive Twingo, 5 E-Tech, and A290. So expect a much more modern experience all round, from interior ambience to rolling refinement. But the Spring isn’t moving far from its roots: this will still be a modestly powered, cheap and cheerful electric car. The LFP battery is rated at 27.5kWh, which can be charged at up to 50kW and delivers up to 155 miles. It’s like the electric bit of a giant PHEV, all on its own four wheels. Perhaps most importantly, efficiency is rated at 4.9mi/kWh, and there are no PHEVs doing that.
As a significantly heavier Spring than before (more than 1200kg against less than a tonne) and with less power - 81hp, when you could zoom along with up to 100 before - performance has taken a hit. The 0-62mph time is now claimed to be 12.1 seconds, and it’ll reach 80mph… though not a mile per hour more. But then Dacia reckons the average Spring driver was doing 13 miles a day at an average speed of 13mph, so this sounds plenty. Three-quarters of charging is done at home.
What seems most likely to have current owners spring from their Dacia to a new one (sorry) is the fresh look of this latest model. The second Spring sits a lot more confidently and stylishly on the road than the first ever did, helped by being 18cm wider, without totally abandoning the utilitarian charm. The light signatures are recognisably Dacia, as are design features like the black strip between them. ‘The highly geometric, structured design is simple, clear and functional, stripping out the superfluous’, reckons Dacia. For now, just four colours are offered.
A similar design theme is followed inside, with fripperies at a minimum and usefulness cranked to the max. So there’s a seven-inch screen for the instruments, an available 10.1-inch infotainment setup, and not a great deal more besides some useful storage and some splashes of colour linking the inside to the Agave paint. Anyone familiar with recent larger Dacias (or indeed the smaller Renault E-Techs) will feel right at home. The YouClip accessories seen in the Bigster are also in the Spring.
Specs will be recognisable, too, with Expression as the entry point - 15-inch steelies, air-con, rear parking sensors - and a Journey with 16-inch wheels, the larger screen, a reversing camera and extra USB ports. The new Spring should cost less than £18k, too, before any Government subsidies (which the other cars on this architecture do get), so it all looks pretty promising. Dacia is confident in what it’s created, for sure: ‘Combining affordable pricing with low running costs, a modern, robust design and best-in-class interior space, it delivers the best value for money in the A-segment.’ We’ll know for certain when it hits the road in 2027. Or, if original is best, they’re down to £8k already…
This one the article says will be under £18,000.
A 50% increase in price is huge.
In the real world outside car jounrnalism, that matters more than anything else for this car.
For many people who don't do long journeys, this will go from 'affordable new car' to not.
This one the article says will be under £18,000.
A 50% increase in price is huge.
In the real world outside car jounrnalism, that matters more than anything else for this car.
For many people who don't do long journeys, this will go from 'affordable new car' to not.
So £12000 Vs circa £14500.
This one the article says will be under £18,000.
A 50% increase in price is huge.
In the real world outside car jounrnalism, that matters more than anything else for this car.
For many people who don't do long journeys, this will go from 'affordable new car' to not.
So £12000 Vs circa £14500.
Many of the car buying British public are happily buying Chinese cars because they’re cheap, whilst most legacy car manufacturers are making their products more and more expensive. Money is tight and surely cars are one of the most obvious places where people can and will save a few pennies.
Keep the good work up Dacia and don’t let your prices creep up and up.
Shame there's nothing in the Renault parts bin sized between the Megane/Scenic and the massive new Alpine A390.
Yes its more expensive but its not unreasonable. I'm always saying wages haven't kept up rather than cars are unaffordable but even thats not totally accurate
.- The colour above, black, grey, white, all solid, no metallics.
This one the article says will be under £18,000.
A 50% increase in price is huge.
In the real world outside car jounrnalism, that matters more than anything else for this car.
For many people who don't do long journeys, this will go from 'affordable new car' to not.
So £12000 Vs circa £14500.
The new one is also a new dedicated EV platform and not a bastardised Indian ICE car.
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