Spring, the 10 thousand euro electric Dacia – Corriere.it

At first glance the Spring it looks bigger than the numbers say, but in reality it is only 4 cm longer than a Fiat Panda Cross and with a minimum ground clearance of 15 cm. The impressive front end with the double LED headlights divided on two levels and the mask with the logo in the center that conceals the charging current socket contributes to this feeling. On the side, a high waistline, roof rails and large wheel arches stand out, equipped with plastic protections that wrap around the small 14 ”wheels. The two front doors are medium in size, while the rear ones are perhaps a little too small to easily access the sofa. Large tailgate, which hides a rather high load threshold. On the other hand, the load compartment is large given the size of the car: it varies between 270 and 620 liters. The model we drove in preview it is a pre-series Business version, therefore not yet 100% defined, but very close to the final result. Overall, it does not have an entry level look at all.

Containment of the final price and weight reduction. Starting from these two priorities, one cannot be too severe in judging the cockpit of the Spring and, after all, on board this city car, you feel good and there is no shortage of essential things. The plastics are a bit rigid and the assemblies are minimal, but what you touch, like the seats, the steering wheel and the 7 “central touch panel (standard on the Plus version), are of a good standard. The front seats are of the right size, well shaped and containing, and patience for the sober upholstery. Too bad, however, that the only adjustment is the longitudinal one: if you consider that the steering wheel is fixed, it is clear that the adjustment is not well customizable.

Space for the left foot is also limited from the internal shape of the wheel arch, but in this case without the clutch pedal there is always a space. Between the two seats in the center of the console is the wheel that adjusts the gearbox functions: forward, reverse and neutral. Just above the dashboard, the «Eco» button stands out, which cuts the engine power from 45 to 31 HP, reduces the maximum speed from 125 to 100 km / h and consequently is useful in urban use because it extends the battery life of the 30%, reaching the declared 300 km.

In the dashboard in front of the steering wheel the main indications on the use and recovery of energy, speed and autonomy are grouped together. In the center of the dashboard is the 7 “color display with access to the DAB radio, the on-board computer, the Bluetooth system of the phone and the connection with the smartphone, on the sides the buttons of the electric windows. When reversing, the display also becomes the rear view camera screen. Just below the climate control controls, while on the steering wheel of our version there were also the cruise control controls. Behind, the legroom for passengers it is small, but if you are not 1.90 meters tall there are no contraindications.

Essentiality in the equipment and limited use of sound-absorbing coatings, in fact less essential on an electric car, has brought a benefit in terms of weight, which is important in a car that focuses on zero-emission range. The Spring weighs 975 kg, including the contribution of the 77 battery cells placed under the floor (only they account for 186 kg). The synchronous electric motor delivers 44 hp, with 125 Nm of torque at 500 rpm, while the battery pack is 27.4 kW / h. All components produced in China, as Chinese is the factory of the group from which they mix the Spring and the “sister” Renault K-ZE.

Charging times depend on the system refueling. It ranges from 14 hours using the 2.3 kWh domestic socket current to about 8 hours by installing a 3.7 kWh wallbox. An hour is enough for the 30 kW direct current column to recharge 80% of the batteries. If we consider that the average use of a car in Europe is 31 km per day, the distance declared by the house is 300 km in the city and 230 in mixed use, leaves good weekly margins for users.