Dacia powers up a party
Fancy an early barbecue? The new, aptly named, all- electric Spring hatchback from Dacia is the ideal car with which to celebrate the new season. For not only is it a fun and affordable EV, it’s also a mini power station on wheels because its battery can charge up a small cooking grill, coffee maker, kettle, air pump, party lights or your laptop, as well as propelling the car.
Simply insert a special attachment or current ‘inverter’ into the charging point in the front and it becomes a traditional domestic 13-amp socket into which you can plug your desired household appliance.
I tried it myself in order to make a coffee when I went to Paris for an exclusive early look at the car from the Romanianbased budget arm of France’s Renault Group, and to meet the team who created it.
Spring was launched in 2021, but this, the all-new second generation model, will mark its debut on the UK market. Word is
that prices will start from under £ 17,000 ( possibly less than £16,000), with Dacia claiming it will be ‘the most affordable new all-electric car in Europe’ and a home- grown challenger to cheaper chinese imports.
Prices will be confirmed on March 12 when pre-orders open, ahead of deliveries from October. Dacia believes its keen pricing will ‘electrify’ the UK market.
Measuring just 3.7 metres and designed for both urban and country roads, it has a tight, nimble and agile turning circle of 4.8 metres.
Weighing less than a ton (984 kg), it will be available with either a 45 hp or more powerful 65 hp electric motor giving a range of up to 137 miles (against an average 23 miles a day driven by its customers). Powered by a 26.8kWh battery, it accelerates from rest to 62mph in a leisurely 14 seconds.
a full charge takes four hours on a wall charger, 11 hours on a domestic socket or 45 minutes to 80 per cent on a Dc fast charger.
Seating five (at a squeeze) and riding on 14 in or 15 in wheels, it is available in six colours including Brick Red and Beige Safari, and there are three trim levels.