Dacia took the wraps off a heavily updated version of the Spring, modernizing the affordable urban EV for the masses. The 2024 Dacia Spring adopts the automaker’s latest design language borrowing styling cues from the popular Duster while retaining the generous ground clearance and crossover bits. It also benefits from a redesigned interior with more kit, bringing it on par with newer rivals. Starting with the exterior, the Spring looks more modern than before, largely thanks to the Duster-inspired grille and LED headlights, plus the SUV-style skid plate and bumper intakes. The tail received a similarly adventurous makeover with a black trim connecting the modern LEDs and a heavy dose of plastic cladding on the bumper.
The profile of the 3,701 mm long EV looks familiar, as the greenhouse and the large door handles are
carry-over bits from its predecessor. Still, Dacia designers tweaked the
fenders, simplified the surfacing, and added a ribbon on the C-pillar in a
quest to accentuate the crossover stance. In the same context, there are new
options for the wheels measuring up to 16 inches in diameter, and a revised
color palette with the addition of the Brick Red and Safari Beige shades.
Moving inside, the old dashboard that
looked like it came from the ’90s has been replaced with a modern design. The
digital cockpit of the Extreme flagship trim comprises a 7-inch digital instrument
cluster and a 10-inch free-standing infotainment display, although entry-level
models will be limited to a smartphone holder. The climate vents, center
console, gearbox selector, and dashboard-mounted tray have been redesigned,
looking more in line with the rest of the Dacia family. The company also added
the YouClip accessory mounting system, allowing owners to customize the
interior. Equipment includes the basic ADAS package as dictated by the
regulations in the European Union, and the “My Safety” button for enabling or
disabling them. Finally, there is a 35 lt frunk under the
hood, in addition to the slightly increased 308 lt of
available boot space.
Dacia didn’t feel the need to upgrade the
underpinnings of the Spring, citing that the average daily trip by existing
owners is 37 km long, at a speed of 37 km/h. This means
that the carry-over electric motor producing either 44 hp or 64
hp is good enough in terms of performance, despite the
notoriously sluggish acceleration figures. The same applies to the 26.8 kWh
battery pack which allows a WLTP range of more than 220 km thanks
in part to the low weight figure of 984 kg. Charging is
surprisingly slow, with 11kW AC for the weaker models and 30kW DC for the
stronger ones. New for the updated model is the bi-directional charging
capability meaning that you can use the small battery to power electric devices.
Pricing for the 2024 Dacia Spring has yet
to be announced but the company says it remains “the most affordable
full-electric model on the market”. As reported by Autocar, UK deliveries will
commence in October 2024, with a price below the £ 18,000 (US$ 22,732) mark. As
with its predecessor, the new Spring will be manufactured in China. The main
rivals of the 2024 Dacia Spring are the new Citroen e-C3 and the upcoming Fiat
Panda, as well as future urban EVs like the Renault Twingo and the VW ID.1.
