Dacia Unveils the Hipster, a Concept for a Mini Electric City Car Measuring 3 Meters, Seating Four, and Weighing Less Than 800 kg. The Goal: A Car with Essential Features for Under 15,000 Euros. But to Become a Reality, the Brand is Awaiting Changes in European Regulations. Could This Be the French Version of a “Kei Car”?
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Dacia Revitalizes the People’s Car… Now Electric
With the Hipster, Dacia returns to its roots: offering a vehicle that is simple, practical, and above all, affordable. The concept revealed this morning is a departure from current models. At just three meters long, it boasts a bold cubic design, four real seats, and a versatile trunk. This is a unique format in Europe for an electric car. The aim? To provide an option between two-seater microcars like the Citroën Ami and more traditional subcompacts like the Spring. It’s a vehicle designed to meet real needs, without any excess.
Specs Cut to the Essentials
The Hipster weighs in at about 800 kg, which is 20% lighter than the Spring. Its top speed is capped at 80 km/h, and it has a range of about 150 kilometers. These modest specs are well-suited for suburban or rural use.
According to Dacia, two charges per week should suffice. The trunk space ranges from 70 to 500 liters depending on the configuration. Inside, there’s no built-in screen: the driver’s smartphone acts as both the key and the interface for GPS and multimedia. Currently, the car features just two airbags and has an intentionally minimalist interior.
European Regulations Still Unclear
As it stands, the Hipster cannot be approved. It’s too heavy for the L7e category (heavy quadricycles) and not equipped enough to qualify as an M1 (passenger car) without significantly increasing its cost. Therefore, Dacia is advocating for a new intermediate framework inspired by Japanese kei cars.
The clear goal is to prevent the safety standards applicable to sedans from being imposed on vehicles designed for urban use or short trips. The brand is thus playing a waiting game, with a potential release by 2027.
Dacia is targeting a price point of less than 15,000 euros. The stakes are high: to offer a four-seater electric car with a real trunk at a (relatively) unbeatable price. If the Hipster succeeds, it could significantly impact the market. But without regulatory changes, it will remain just a concept.
What’s the Verdict?
The Dacia Hipster represents a bold proposal and approach: rethinking the car to its essentials. Its position makes sense in a market crowded with overly equipped and increasingly expensive models. However, the regulatory hurdle is real. It remains to be seen whether Brussels will support this shift towards more accessible mobility, even though 15,000 euros might still seem steep for a car that isn’t highway-friendly.