A completely redesigned Spring EV with extensive interior and exterior enhancements has been unveiled by Renault affiliate Dacia. Due to the fact that the Spring EV is an all-electric version of the Renault Kwid, it may not sound familiar to Indian consumers, but the vehicle was first shown in China as the Renault City K-ZE and was also shown in India in 2020. Unlike the Kwid we see on Indian roads, the significantly redesigned electric city car is scheduled to arrive in European markets later this year.
Dacia Spring EV takes cues from the Duster
The revised Spring EV is essentially a significantly improved version of the model that debuted in 2021, despite having a brand-new appearance. Along with the Renault K-ZE, the Spring also set the bar for the lowest-cost EVs in their respective classes when they went on sale in China and a few other nations.
The all-new Dacia Duster and the new Spring EV are identical in every way. Its headlamp configuration has been changed from the previous split to a thin, horizontal design. Finished with gloss black and off-white elements, the grille prominently features the new Dacia emblem as the headlights blend in seamlessly. A specific charging port insert is also included in the grille.
Large fake air vents are added to each corner of the front bumper. The revised headlamps and widened centre air dam give the Spring EV an even more aggressive appearance than it had previously. The Spring EV shares a lot of the previous car’s profile with the Kwid that is available in India. The older model appears to have been retained in the doors, fenders, and even the traditional pull-style door handles.
The rear bumper receives minor design adjustments, and although the taillamps remain unchanged, they are equipped with new Y-shaped LED lighting elements akin to those found on the Duster. These elements are connected by a gloss black plastic panel located on the tail gate. Additionally, a distinctive mesh panel painted in a contrasting hue is added to the front and rear bumpers.
Dacia Spring EV interior
Inside, the Spring EV has a completely redesigned dashboard that is unmistakably influenced by the Duster. It has a rustic appeal yet being modern. The infotainment screen and the panel below with updated HVAC controls appear to have been lifted from the Duster, as do the integrated controls on the new steering wheel. There are many physical buttons and controls, which is always convenient. Similar to the Duster, the Spring EV has an open shelf on the passenger side and special accessory mounts on the dashboard and centre console.
Dacia Spring EV Safety & Tech
Advanced driver assistance features including advanced emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, and a driver attention monitoring system are even included in the Spring EV. This is done to comply with the new GSR2 safety rules in Europe, however if drivers want to turn off the ADAS, they may easily access the settings by pressing the physical “My Safety” button. Standard twin airbags and ABS are also included. The top-spec models come with a wirelessly updateable 10.1-inch touchscreen screen and a storage recess on the passenger side of the dashboard.
Dacia Spring EV powertrain, battery and range
Still, the new Spring is basically the same mechanically as the previous one. Either 45 horsepower or 65 horsepower is sent to the front wheels by a single electric motor; the more potent version accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in a comfortable 13.7 seconds. One of the main reasons the Spring weighs only 984kg, or just 6kg more than the preceding car, is the compact, 26.8kWh battery, which is touted to have a range of more than 220 kilometres. The 45-hp vehicle can only be charged at 11kW (AC), but 65-hp vehicles automatically receive 30kW DC charging.
Dacia Spring EV: the India connection
Last year, Venkatram Mamillapalle, the MD of Renault India, spoke confidentially to Autocar Professional, our sister journal, about an entry-level electric vehicle for India. The exact date of its launch in India is yet unknown, though. The Dacia Spring EV will directly compete with vehicles like the Tata Tiago EV and the MG Comet if it is introduced to the Indian market as the Renault Kwid EV.