Spring retains the same profile as the Kwid, but gets a Dacia specific makeover. Image: Dacia
Having amassed sales of 140 000 units since going on-sale in Europe three years ago, Renault-owned Dacia has removed the wraps from the heavily updated all-electric Spring that shares its platform and silhouette with the much maligned Kwid.
Although officially revealed in 2020 after a prolonged delay due to the pandemic, the Spring, which is assembled in China and sold as the City K-ZE, now incorporates styling from the all-new Duster as a way of aligning with Dacia’s new styling language.
ALSO READ: Renault Kwid becomes Dacia badged all-electric Spring in Europe
Set to retain its standing as Europe’s cheapest EV, the Spring’s frontal revisions comprise the same Y-shaped LED headlights as the Duster, Dacia’s Link logo spread across the sealed grille, a new city outline monogram where the lower air intake would ordinarily be, new plastic cladding around the wheel arches and a redesigned bumper.
At the rear, the changes have been equally as prominent and include new LED light clusters, the same monogram on the bumper, a new tailgate with a smaller window and a black Dacia panel between the lights.
Two new colours, Safari Beige and Brick Red, rounds the exterior off, together with newly designed 16-inch alloy wheels on the top-spec Extreme.
Inside, the makeover has been similarly extensive and a apart from a new, now height adjustable steering wheel, includes a new dashboard housing a completely reworked 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher-end models, a new seven-inch digital instrument cluster and a restyled centre console complete with a toggle switch gear selector and smartphone clip-on.
Below this, Dacia has redesigned the climate control panel and air vents without resorting to a touch-sensitive arrangement for the buttons and dials.
In addition to the new fittings, the instrument binnacle, glovebox lid, gear selector surround and door bins can be decked-out in five colours depending on the trim level; white, copper, Alto Grey, Lichen Khaki and Brick Red.
On the safety side, the Spring, whose testing in 2022 saw it obtain a five-star Euro NCAP rating, comes equipped as standard with rear parking sensors plus a reverse camera, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Change Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Dimensionally unchanged from the pre-facelift model, the Spring’s boot is again capable of swallowing 308-litres of luggage, or as much as 1 003-litres with the rear seats folded down. A further 35-litres is provided underneath the bonnet.
Access to its front mounted charging port also being new as a result of the refresh, power for Spring is provided by a 26.8-kWh battery pack in two states of tune; 33 kW and 48 kW.
Supporting bi-directional charging for the first time, i.e. feeding power back into other electrical devices, charging the Spring requires a waiting time of 45 minutes from 20-80% using a DC fast charger up to 30 kW.
As standard, the on-board seven kilowatt AC charger requires an 11 hour wait, which drops to four hours when used in conjunction with the seven kilowatt wallbox.
Tipping the scales at a claimed 984 kg in heaviest form, the Spring will be offered in three trim levels; Essential, Expression and the mentioned Extreme that becomes the sole derivative to offer the new infotainment system, rear electric windows, electric mirrors and wireless Apple CarPlay plus Android Auto.
On-sale in the European summer that runs from June to September, no pricing details were disclosed, though reports suggest a starting sticker of around the €20 000 (R419 027) mark.
As has been the case, the Spring is not expected to become available in South Africa anytime soon bearing the Kwid name.
NOW READ: South Africa-bound Renault Kwid, Triber and Kiger updates detailed
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
