New $30K Dacia Spring previewed ahead of Feb 21 reveal
Replacement for Europe’s cheapest EV set to go under the knife and could become even more affordableThe new Dacia Spring has been teased ahead of its reveal on February 21, and the Renault-owned car-maker has hinted that Europe’s cheapest EV will come with a new look and enhanced tech.
Currently sold from just €18,400 ($A30,300) in markets like France, the all-electric small hatch has recently been confirmed for the right-hand drive UK market, potentially opening the door for a low-cost Renault-badged Dacia EV in Australia.
It’s thought the new Dacia Spring, teased overnight via all of the Romanian car-maker’s social media channels, will receive the brand's latest front-end design that made its debut on the third-generation Dacia Duster small SUV.
Inside, a larger 10-inch infotainment touch-screen is expected to replace the outgoing model’s 7.0-inch display, bringing greater levels of connectivity than before.
There’s no word about what’s happened beneath the skin, but the current Spring comes with a small 26.8kWh battery that provides for a WLTP verified range of up to 230km.
Currently driving the small Dacia EV is a modest 33kW/125Nm electric motor that manages to eventually haul the five-door hatch to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds. Top speed is limited to 126km/h.
Charging from 0-80 per cent with a 30kW DC fast-charger is claimed to take an hour, while a 7.4kW AC wall box takes five hours to complete a full charge.
Renault’s budget brand also offers Spring owners a smartphone app that updates the charging status in real-time and allows the cabin to be pre-heated or cooled.
Renault Australia has long been keen to release the new Duster small SUV and Bigster mid-size SUV – and eventually a new compact dual-cab 4x4 ute previewed by the Dacia Niagara concept – Down Under with Renault badges.
Sadly for those in the market for a cheap EV, the new Dacia Spring is so far not on the local Renault importer’s radar.
Related: Dacia Niagara ute firms for Oz
Related: Renault’s new 2024 Dacia Duster SUV revealed
Related: Dacia Spring budget EV now built in right-hand drive
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