And the other one is also a Dacia
The Dacia Spring has been updated once again, this time mainly in technical terms. The small electric Dacia improves in every way, but is also more basic in the Netherlands than before. Every reason to see exactly how much EV you get for €18,000.
Dacia Spring Electric 70 Essential – €18,000
The updated Dacia Spring is another €950 cheaper than before, when it (even after the facelift) already appeared in this column. For less money, you now get a Spring with the new Electric 70 powertrain. That means 70 instead of 45 hp, while a new LFP battery contributes to charging up to 100 percent without penalty and slightly faster charging. Win-win-win then, until you see the equipment. The barest Essential version of the Spring was previously not available in the Netherlands, so for that ‘old’ starting price you immediately got an Expression. That version now costs €19,800 and has therefore become considerably more expensive, but now you have the option to switch to what was previously the entry-level version in other countries. But is that also wise?
On the outside, you can easily spot the Spring Essential. It does without the gray elements in the front and rear bumper that the Expression does have, but also without its larger wheels. The black decorative elements on the doors are also missing, and the door handles, due to lack of paint, are indeed black if you opt for the Essential. What also immediately stands out is the interior color. In the Expression, the upper parts of the backrests are made of an almost white fabric, which, well, ‘Springs out’ nicely from the outside. The Essential has entirely dark gray upholstery, although judging by the photos, it doesn’t look bad at all.
In terms of the dashboard, ostensibly not much changes when we switch between Essential and Expression in the configurator. In both cases, we see a simple digital instrument cluster, in neither case a central touchscreen (for that you get a phone app) and in both cases a steering wheel with buttons and a separate control lever for the audio. The cheapest Dacia Spring is, in many respects, quite well-equipped. For example, it comes standard with a DAB radio with Bluetooth, but also cruise control, central locking with remote control, and electric front windows. The mirrors can only be adjusted manually, but that’s acceptable in such a budget mobile. However, there is one small, essential button that is missing in the Essential, and that is the one for the air conditioning. The simplest Spring does not have such a cooling function, and is, as far as we know, along with the Sandero, the only new car available in the Netherlands without air conditioning.
For €19,800, €1,800 more than the Essential, the Expression also gets electric rear windows, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, and some visual extras. The middle version also opens the doors to an option that is possibly even more essential than air conditioning: the possibility of fast charging. This 40-kW DC option is therefore not standard and is available on the Expression for an additional €600. Always do it. The Expression is also available in many more colors than the Essential. I choose ‘Slate Blue’ from that wider range, bringing the total to 21 grand. The ‘Pack Techno’ of €850 brings a touchscreen and is very tempting, but suddenly makes the Spring quite pricey. I would have to think about that carefully. Without a screen, ‘my’ Spring costs exactly 21 grand, with a screen it becomes €21,850.
