Dacia announced that its Hipster microcar concept will move from the drawing board to an assembly line in 2027, with the company aiming to price the electric city vehicle at under £10,000 for British buyers. The model, which was first shown as a four-seat prototype, was originally designed to comply with the same L7e quadricycle regulations as the Silence S04 and Fiat’s retro-styled, four-seat Multiplina—both of which are set to launch next year.
This decision follows a strategic pivot after Renault Group chief executive Luca de Meo cancelled a plan in late 2024 to revive the Spring on the basis of the Renault Twingo, choosing instead to develop a version that will be built in Slovenia. The Hipster will be manufactured in China at the plant that previously produced the original Spring, where production ceased in July 2026.
The Hipster originated under the direction of former Dacia chief executive Denis Le Vot, who had imagined it as a direct successor to the Spring and initially projected a price of £11,200. After Le Vot left the company in September 2025, the programme was reshaped under the guidance of new senior figures.
Renault’s chief growth officer Fabrice Cambolive advocated adding a two-seat L6 quadricycle option alongside the original four-seat L7e version, arguing that a lower price point was essential to win over buyers in China’s price-sensitive microcar market. The shift toward the L6 category, which has less stringent weight and power restrictions than the L7e, reflects the project’s evolving priorities after the collapse of negotiations with Volkswagen over plans to develop the forthcoming ID 1 on Renault’s compact EV platform.
Strict L7e rules force weight-cutting trade-offs
The L7e classification imposes strict technical limits: the vehicle may not exceed a kerb weight of 450 kg (excluding the battery), must stay within 20 bhp of power, and is capped at a top speed of 56 mph. Its design director, David Durand, explained that plastic body panels, similar to those used on the Ami, could help meet the weight target, although the material carries a higher cost than conventional steel.
Chinese engineers are therefore testing cheaper composite solutions while also re-using parts from the outgoing Spring to keep the overall build price down. The project’s cost constraints have also led to a focus on simplifying the battery pack design, with the 15 kWh unit likely to incorporate lower-cost cell chemistry to align with the £9,500 target price.
China’s long-standing capability in producing low-cost micro-vehicles, especially in the A0 segment, dovetails with the company’s objectives. The Shiyan facility, where the first Spring rolled off the line, continues to operate even after the Spring’s production ceased in July 2026. Frank Marotte, who serves as the senior vice-president of global sales, confirmed that the plant will remain active, highlighting its capacity to assemble 45 000 vehicles each year and its competitive cost structure.
Engineers at the site are also contributing to the Hipster’s motor, battery pack, and chassis development, ensuring that local expertise is fully integrated into the project. A joint plan with Dongfeng and Nissan is being prepared to safeguard the plant’s future, as Renault Group seeks to retain its innovation capabilities and cost advantages.
Design stays true to Mini roots
Recent patent applications show that the production version will stay close to the 2025 concept, with exterior dimensions that echo the classic Austin Mini: a width of 1.55 m, a height of 1.53 m, and a length of 3.0 m. The updated styling features refreshed front and rear bumpers, a re-shaped grille, and split front windows whose lower section lifts upward in a manner reminiscent of the Ami. Durand noted that the patents were filed to protect the Hipster’s styling and added: “The project is under development and now only requires final approval from senior management.”
Leave a Reply