It is one of the most popular electric models on the European market: the Dacia Spring will evolve significantly in 2024. A particularly anticipated makeover that brings numerous changes to the exterior and interior, as well as new functions.
Important advances in design.
This is Dacia’s desire: to gain perceived quality with each evolution of a model. The Spring is no exception and adopts numerous changes compared to the first version launched in 2021 and to which the new brand logos were used in 2022. However, it retains its very compact dimensions, with 3.73 meters long and a length very short. Turning radius.
Specifically, we find a new front and rear face with the brand’s latest lighting signature.
On the sides we will notice the disappearance of the roof bars. A way perhaps to distinguish itself from the next Citroën Ë-C3, which has it.
At the rear, a black strip now connects the lights, inside which the name Dacia written in full letters is engraved.
We also noticed a fun bumper that may remind us of the camouflage of prototypes before a launch. But no, we are facing the definitive spring: Dacia introduces bumper stickers with this motif that represents an imaginary map of a city in black and white. The interest? A small scratch and simply change the sticker for a small cost. See the other designs that Dacia will also offer.
An interior that also gains in quality
Inside, the change is also radical. The needle counter is gone, the Spring takes over from the new Duster and, therefore, will be fitted to all versions.
On the other hand, Dacia leaves the choice at the dashboard level. with his “Media control”the location dedicated to the smartphone, which is offered in the first two trim levels (“Essential” AND “Expression”) and which remains an interesting solution for those who are used to using their smartphone for navigation and media. Knowing that we continue to benefit from the steering wheel shortcuts to adjust the volume and change audio tracks… or from the radio since it is still included with the control from the meter screen.
Optional on the second equipment level and standard on the third and final level (“Extreme”), we find the 10.1-inch touch screen, also taken from the latest Duster. A screen that seems to offer good viewing and responsiveness and is compatible with Carplay and Android Auto.
The doors are still very thin, with the windows opening in the center of the cabin, at the level of the air conditioning settings that are also maintained with physical buttons, a good point. However, above the glove box there are storage spaces, as well as a new one.
Finally, there are three points to hang additional Dacia accessories, such as a cup holder with a small hook to hang a bag, for example, and a small extra light, rechargeable via USB. A small hook can also be attached to the passenger compartment.
Motors and battery: formula almost unchanged
The Dacia Spring maintains its choice of engine, 45 or 65 horsepower, with a single 26.8 kWh battery, with 220 kilometers of autonomy announced for all versions.
In addition to the 14-inch wheels, 15-inch wheels also appear and are offered, as does the 65-horsepower engine in the new intermediate trim level. “Expression”.
In terms of performance, logically we don’t have to wait long: Dacia announces 0 to 100 km/h in less than 14 seconds for the 65 horsepower engine and in less than 20 seconds for the 46 horsepower one.
Important point too, recharge. The Spring is equipped as standard with a 7 kW AC charger, which allows you to charge the battery from 20 to 100% in a household outlet in less than 11 hours, or in 4 hours in a 7 kW wallbox.
An optional 30 kW DC charger is available for fast charging from 20% to 80% in 45 minutes. Enough to consider a longer commute than the average Spring user.
In fact, Dacia has analyzed the data collected since the launch and the more than 140,000 units sold: a user makes an average of 4 trips a day (home-school-work-home, for example) with a distance of 37 km and at a speed of 37 kilometers per hour. Enough to also allow a single recharge to ensure the week’s trips.
Often purchased as a second vehicle in the home, the Spring thus becomes the first in terms of daily use. Therefore, the second vehicle, usually thermal, is reserved for longer trips.
V2L, frunk… Spring expands its possibilities
The Dacia Spring can now power small electrical devices (so-called function devices). “V2L”) by connecting an adapter to the charging port that gives access to a 3.3 kW power household outlet. It is not possible to repair another electric car, but it is possible to connect an electric barbecue, a coffee maker, a compressor or decorative lights.
Dacia also adds the possibility of having a frunk (contraction of “trunk”the trunk and “forehead”, front) or a storage space under the hood. There you can store, for example, the charging cable, which is quite practical with the port that is also located on the front, behind the Dacia logo.
A light car… deprived of bonuses
Despite its improvements, the Spring only weighs 6 kg and, therefore, falls short of a ton, at 984 kg.
But, produced in China, the small Dacia has lost access to the ecological bonus since the application of the environmental score last December. Too bad for a light vehicle with very compact dimensions, something quite rare in the current offering. Especially since the result is a very good carbon footprint: in the summer of 2022, the independent organization Green NCAP awarded the maximum rating of 5 stars to the Dacia Spring.
“In its assessment, Green NCAP measured the impacts of the vehicle and its use on air quality, global warming and its energy efficiency. In each of these categories, Spring stood out, both for its energy efficiency and its low environmental impact.”Dacia emphasizes.
Enough to win the trophy “Best Green Car NCAP 2022”. A good sign for Dacia that sees this “a reward in their desire to offer the greatest number of vehicles possible with a price/service ratio at the best level on the market and most respectful of the environment”. It is also a way to show the current limits of the environmental score and to reassure customers who might interpret this lack of bonus as an ecological black spot, which is clearly not the case.
The price war started with the Citroën ë-C3
Despite this absence of a bonus and although prices will be published at the commercial launch in spring, Dacia claims to continue offering the cheapest electric car on the market.
Before the arrival of this new version, the Dacia Spring currently starts at 18,400 euros.
If it offers superior features, the Citroën ë-C3 starts at 23,300 euros: therefore, it had a slight advantage with the old bonus of 5,000 euros (which was maintained a little at the beginning of 2024 with the decree that sets the new bonus published on February 13th). ). But not anymore with the new drop to 4,000 euros.
The difference will also be based on the bonus. “for half of the least well-off households” which remained at 7,000 euros. Enough to give a significant price advantage to Citroën in this category, with a starting price that will later drop to 16,300 euros.
Source: BFM TV
