Dacia is preparing to start production of a road-going version of its Hipster concept in China, a move that will add one of the most distinctive and affordable electric vehicles to its European line-up. The compact model is expected to be built from next year at the same Chinese facility that previously assembled the first-generation Dacia Spring, and could carry a price tag of less than €11,500 in Europe.
The Hipster will slot below the all-new Spring in Dacia’s range. While the new Spring will be manufactured in Slovenia, the Hipster will be produced at the Shiyan plant in China, which has reportedly been idle since July. Engineers at the site are also expected to assist with the development of the new EV, according to Autocar.
Unveiled as a concept twelve months ago, the Hipster is remarkably small and basic. It measures just 3 metres long, 1.54 metres tall and 1.55 metres wide. Its blocky exterior design, matte grey body and small contrasting areas of colour give it a striking appearance that sets it apart from conventional city cars.
The vehicle has been engineered to comply with Europe’s L7e quadricycle regulations, which cap its weight at 450 kg excluding the battery. A final decision on the battery and its chemistry is still pending, but the pack is expected to be around 15 kWh. The Hipster’s compact footprint and light weight are central to its low price target and its efficiency as an urban runabout.
Patent images uncovered earlier this year suggest the production model will look almost identical to the concept. Changes include a slightly simpler front bumper and grille, a small windshield wiper not featured on the show car, and subtly different doors. A small horizontal bar runs across the side windows, while the rear window, tailgate and bumper have also been tweaked for production.
The decision to build the Hipster in China reflects Dacia’s continued strategy of using cost-efficient manufacturing to keep prices low. The previous Spring was also produced in China before the new generation moved to Slovenia. By placing Hipster production at the Shiyan plant, Dacia can leverage existing capacity and engineering expertise while targeting a sub-€11,500 price point that undercuts most electric vehicles on sale in Europe.
Dacia already offers an eclectic mix of vehicles, and the Hipster would become perhaps its most unusual model to date. Its combination of quadricycle regulations, minimal equipment and low price is designed to appeal to urban buyers seeking affordable electric mobility. The model is expected to arrive in European showrooms following the start of production in China next year.