All-new Dacia Spring is a high-tech, city dwelling EV
The Dacia Spring may have only launched in the U.K. two years ago, but that hasn’t stopped them bringing out an all-new Mk 2 Spring. However, despite being on sale for just two years, Europe actually got the original Spring in 2021, arriving in the U.K. rather late.
With the Renault Nissan alliance producing the AmpR Small platform, it has underpinned the new Renault Twingo, the new Nissan Pixo and now the new Dacia Spring, creating a trio of small A-segment electric hatchbacks all coming to market in 2027 providing much needed choice in the city class, small hatchback territory. Joining it is the new Honda Super-N, Smart #2 and Suzuki e-Sky around the same time.
But despite its back-to-basics approach, the original Spring was a success story having sold over 210,000 units in more than 40 countries since 2021. With a trio of new cars leveraging the same platform from three manufacturers, expect to see many more small, electric hatchbacks on the roads in the coming years.
Trims
The Dacia is now available in just two trims, the Expression and Journey.
Expression: 15-inch Mura steel wheels with wheel embellishers, central locking with remote control, electric front windows and wing mirrors, manual air conditioning, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, electric handbrake, Media Control system with a USB-C port, 50/50 split-fold rear bench seat, split boot floor, three YouClip mounting points, sliding, height-adjustable driver’s seat with reclining backrest, fabric upholstery.
Journey: Same as Expression + 16-inch Drava steel wheels with wheel embellishers, hands-free card, reversing camera, Media Nav Live system with 10.1-inch central screen, navigation and connected services, two USB-C ports, one YouClip* mounting point, luggage compartment cover, TEP/fabric upholstery.
* YouClip is a practical and secure solution to attach accessories inside the cabin, such as a smartphone cable organiser, a glasses case, a foldable shopping bag, a clever “3-in-1” device combining a cup holder, a bag hook and a portable torch, and more. All YouClip accessories can be purchased from Dacia.
Battery, Charging and Range
Given its slightly less aerodynamic shape when compared to the new Twingo, the new Spring has a slight increase in range to its predecessor of 155 miles from its 27.5 kWh (usable) LFP battery pack, but just shy of the Twingo’s 163 mile range which it shares the same platform and powertrain with.
The Spring’s onboard charger is limited to 6.6 kW AC, taking 4 hours from empty to full, or 3 hours to go from 15% to 80%.
The optional Charge Pack includes an 11 kW AC charger - useful for properties with a three-phase supply and cutting that 15% to 80% charge time down to just under 2 hours. The Charge Pack also includes a 50 kW DC charger for a 15% to 80% recharge in just 28 minutes.
Bi-directional Charging
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability is also included in the optional Charge Pack enabling the Spring to power small electrical appliances independently, such as e-bike batteries, coffee makers, power tools and much more.
Performance
The new Dacia Spring may not set your world alight with blistering performance from its 60 kW (80 hp), 175 Nm motor, however, the traffic light burnout from 0 to 62 mph takes a respectable 12.1 seconds.
Top speed is limited to 80 mph, which is more than adequate for U.K. roads and will easily keep up with the flow of traffic.
The new Dacia Spring is one of the lightest all-electric models in its segment, weighing in at just 1,212kg, which helps with efficiency but also handling and ride quality.
Interior
The physical key has been banished from the new Spring (which was used to start the outgoing Spring like it was 1984), and replaced with a hands-free card on the Journey trim and provides easy access.
And once aboard its good news for those that like to optimise their driving position. Aside from the seats with various levels of adjustment, the steering wheel comes with both height and reach adjustment.
Going digital
A 7-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver is standard on all trim levels with plenty of customisable options, with a 10.1-inch centrally mounted multimedia touchscreen.
For the occupants, there’s plenty of storage compartments adding to the Spring’s practicality.
The Expression trim also adds steering wheel-mounted controls, plus it comes with an app that allows drivers to manage radio / media functions and access other features from their smartphone screens. Dacia even supplies a secure phone holder on the upper central section of the dashboard.
Step up to the Journey trim and the smart phone app is replaced by Dacia’s Media Nav Live system, and that includes the 10.1-inch central touchscreen plus wireless smartphone mirroring via Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoTM.
Eight years of connected navigation is included, with real-time traffic data and continuously updated maps of Europe. This also adds more connected services such as an app store, charge scheduling, cabin pre-conditioning, vehicle tracking and more.
Driving
With a turning circle of just 4.95m, the Spring meets its requirements for city car driving with incredibly agile manoeuvrability.
The automatic electric parking brake and reversing sensors are standard on both trims whilst the Journey trim is equipped with a reversing camera.
With either 15-inch or 16-inch wheels, the Dacia offers a smooth ride thanks to that new AmpR Small platform that’s shared with the Renault Twingo and Nissan Pixo.
A ‘My Safety’ function allows drivers to customise the settings of certain ADAS on start-up, to avoid adjusting each one individually every time, which is a nice touch.
Space and Practicality
The new Dacia Spring has grown from 3.7 m to 3.85 m long whilst the width remains almost the same at 1.74 m. This growth spurt provides more interior space and a large boot for its segment at 337 litres.
Fold the rear bench and the boot space increases to 1,283 litres with the rear seats split 50/50, although there is quite a step up from the boot floor to the folded seats.
It’s good news for Frunk fans because the new Spring can come with an additional 18 litres of front storage under the bonnet if purchasing it as an option. It seems rather humbuggish of Dacia to charge for something so basic when the space is available, but one has to remember that this is a budget brand.
Price and Availability
The new Dacia Spring is priced below £18,000 before any government subsidies and full UK pricing will be confirmed nearer to launch. If it qualifies for the government Electric Car Grant, the new Spring could potentially be prices at a similar point to the outgoing Spring, albeit with a small uplift to reflect a broader, higher tech and equipment level.
With the new car built in Europe, at the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia, there is potential for the full £3,750 grant to be applied, meaning the Expression could start at around £14,000 .
The new Dacia Spring should go on sale early next year.
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb
