New Models Dacia Spring: New Generation Starting at 18,000 Euros

The new Spring is 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) longer, shares its platform with the Renault Twingo, and is now manufactured in Europe instead of China. The starting price, however, remains well below 20,000 euros ($23,200).

When the history of e-mobility is written in the future, the Dacia Spring must not be left out. Not because it was a particularly innovative, good, or even attractive car. Even in hindsight, no one would seriously claim that. No, it’s because the Spring broke new ground. With its affordable starting price of around 20,000 euros at the time, the Romanian electric car democratized electric mobility and ensured that even the “average person” could experience it. Since 2021, Dacia has sold 210,000 Springs in 40 countries; for 93 percent of customers, it was their first experience with an EV.  

Now the new Spring is here—and with it, a second spring. Because suddenly, it’s blooming. Until now, the budget electric car was assembled as inexpensively as possible by its Chinese partner Dongfeng, the new Spring will be a true European. Built at the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia, alongside its sister model Renault Twingo E-Tech, with which the four-door model also shares the key technical components. 

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Spring and Twingo on a Single Platform

Both are built on the same RG-EV platform. At 3.85 meters (12.63 feet), however, the Dacia is six centimeters (2.4 inches) longer than the Twingo and even surpasses its predecessor by a full 15 centimeters (5.9 inches). The biggest leap into adulthood, however, is in width: At 1.74 meters (5.71 feet), it now appears significantly sturdier and more reliable than the narrow model from Wuhan, which was just 1.58 meters (5.18 feet)  wide and looked like a fragile, shaky candidate even when stationary. Although the Spring has grown in every dimension, it remains a lightweight at just 1.2 metric tons (2,646 pounds), which should primarily benefit fuel economy. Dacia promises 12.7 kWh per 100 kilometers (19.9 kWh per 100 miles).  

With the handbag-sized electric car now standing so confidently and sturdily on its wheels, the design team led by David Durand has succeeded in taking the Spring out of the “toy” category. Until now, it was little more than a basic mode of transportation. Now, with the Spring II, a modern compact car has arrived. The front end is raised and robust, the front and rear overhangs are minimal, and the lines are clean and angular.  

Smart Savings

Although Durand’s team transplanted nearly the entire roof section of the Twingo, including the window line, it really takes a lot of imagination to spot any similarities to its French sibling. LED lights come standard at the front and rear. They cleverly reflect the light within the housing at a 45-degree angle—making them look more impressive than they actually are. Solid bumpers made of unpainted black plastic protect against minor bumps and hefty repair bills, while design elements like the black panels visually separate the roof from the body. 

The new Spring uses its extra length to create an 18-liter frunk under the hood—enough space for the charging cable. The Twingo doesn’t have one. And in the back, there’s more cargo volume. 330 liters to 1,280 liters represents a significant increase over the first-generation Spring and is top-notch for this class. Nevertheless, there’s still surprisingly plenty of room inside for four adults, with ample knee and headroom even in the back seat. The only potential complaints here are the non-retractable windows; more affordable hinged windows will have to do. 

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Practical Benefits over a Stylish Look

It’s clear to see that not a single euro was wasted on unnecessary frills. “Every element must also serve a practical purpose,” says David Durand. The Spring is still designed with smart cost-saving in mind. Practical, but not spartan. The seats feel comfortable and grown-up; two screens—7- and 10.1-inch—were carried over from the Twingo and customized with their own graphics, which are by no means less informative than those of its French sibling. Numerous storage compartments swallow up the small items of everyday driving life, and the agave blue of the upholstery is echoed as a horizontal stripe on the dashboard.  

Like the interior, the electrical system is by no means a shortcoming, but rather pragmatically tailored to the target audience. The Spring is the first Dacia to be equipped with new, shortened development cycles of the Renault Group. As a result, new models are expected to be ready in two years and cost less at the same time. In addition to the Spring, Dacia has already announced three more EVs by 2030.   

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Small Battery, Energy-Efficient Charging Technology

The Spring doesn't carry any ballast to begin with. 60 kW (80 hp) has to be enough, just like a small, lightweight 27.5 kWh LFP battery, which is tucked deep in the underbody. That provides a range of about 250 kilometers (155 miles). According to Dacia, a Mini used primarily in the city doesn’t need more than that. Even the leisurely charging speed isn’t a major issue for customers. The new Spring charges its battery extremely slowly at a rate of 6.6 kW. It takes nine hours to charge from a standard household outlet (15% to 80%) and nearly three hours from a wallbox. For an additional fee, a package is available that enables AC charging at 11 kW (1 hour 55 min.) as well as DC charging at 50 kW (28 min.). This package also includes the ability to supply power to external electrical devices, known as the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function. 

When it launches in December, the Spring will be available in four colors and two trim levels. The entry-level “Expression” trim, which includes 15-inch steel wheels, manual air conditioning, and a media package, is expected to cost less than 18,000 euros ($20,880). The “Journey” adds 16-inch wheels, a rearview camera, a higher-end media system, and additional connectivity features. It will hit the market for under 20,000 euros. 

Technical Specifications of the Dacia Spring II

• Five-door compact car with front-wheel drive
• Length: 3.85 m (12.63 feet), Width: 1.74 m (5.71 feet), Height: 152 mm (4.99 feet), Wheelbase: 2.49 m (8.17 feet)
• Trunk: 337 to 1,283 liters; front trunk: 18 liters
• Electric drive, 60 kW (80 hp) power, 1-speed automatic transmission, max. torque 175 Nm
• v_max: 130 km/h (81 mph)
• 27.5 kWh LFP battery
• Charging time with the AC charger: 1.55 hours (15–80%)
• Charging time with the DC charger: 28 minutes
• Range: approx. 250 km (155 miles) (WLTP)