Dacia Hipster focuses on affordability

RENAULT sub-brand Dacia has used a media event in Meudon outside Paris to showcase future models (concepts) including one that really struck a chord, the Hipster concept BEV that may be on the agenda from the Romania-based manufacturer.

Dacia says the pint-size boxy minicar “is starting with a blank slate to invent the popular EV of tomorrow”.

The model has high significance as it has been described as a “good fit” for the upcoming European E-car regulations that are designed to encourage affordable made-in-Europe mobility.

Not a new formula by any stretch, the rudimentary two-door Hipster “points the way toward Dacia’s mission of being the leader in affordable mobility,” said Dacia’s new CEO Katrin Adt, formerly with Mercedes-Benz and Smart.

“The Hipster is our response to the mobility crisis in Europe,” said Ms Adt, while also calling attention to the fact that “cars have become more expensive, heavier and burdened by regulations in the last 15 years”.

A bit like the old-school Mini Moke, the Hipster is 3000mm long, has an upright windscreen, is made of low-cost materials, and is said to be easy to manufacture.

As expected, Renault says it “harks back to the Citroen 2CV and other inexpensive but distinctive cars meant to provide mobility for the masses, such as the first-generation Fiat Panda or Mini”.

Corresponding with the appearance of the Dacia Hipster, the European Commission said it is considering creating separate regulations for small electric vehicles, an idea backed by Renault Group and Stellantis.

“A commission working group is studying proposals, and details could be released as soon as December as part of the commission’s Strategic Dialogue on the future of the European automotive industry,” said an Automotive News Europe report.

One of the goals of such regulations would be to allow automakers to sell a small EV built in Europe for as low as €15,000 ($A26,566) and make a profit doing so.

Currently, the least expensive European-built EV is the Citroen e-C3, which starts at €19,600 ($A34,700) before incentives.

According to the report, Dacia design chief David Durand said the Hipster was purely a concept, but it could potentially be adapted to a small-car-specific regulation.

It was designed to be lightweight and inexpensive to produce, with plastic body panels, seats that use tensioned fabric rather than padding and minimal interior equipment.

It is built on a tube frame, however, rather than a Renault Group platform.

If it goes ahead, the Hipster would feature the extensive use of recycled material and would be in only one exterior colour, with trim and accessories allowing for personalisation.

Size-wise, it is 300mm longer than a Smart ForTwo and 700 mm shorter than a Dacia Spring, bringing it close to the four seat Toyota iQ (not sold in Australia) although slightly narrower.

The four seat Hipster positions occupants nearly shoulder to shoulder in each row and with the rear seat folded down, cargo capacity is 500 litres with space for a small suitcase in the front righthand foot well.

Ms Adt said that it was a logical question to ask if the Hipster could appear as a production car.

“We’re developing an audacious vision,” she said.

“We have all the tools in Renault Group to make this a reality.

“We will watch the market carefully.”

Other Hipster details we have been able to glean include wheels at each corner, minimal overhang, sliding glass windows, bench front seat, fabric mesh upholstery, and fold flat second row seats.

No information is offered as to its powertrain or battery, nor which axle is driven.

Dacia says the Hipster’s driving range that it has “sufficient range for daily journeys with the need to recharge just twice a week”, speculated to be around 150km.

The manufacturer has concentrated on weight saving designs and materials in the Hipster which has only three painted exterior panels.

It appears to have a digital instrumentation display while a smartphone holder replaces the infotainment system.