Dacia is preparing to shake up the compact electric car segment with the Hipster concept. This micro-car, with an SUV look, measures only three meters in length, weighs 800 kilograms, and could be priced around €15,000 if it reaches series production.
The Romanian manufacturer developed the concept from scratch, aiming to reinvent the essentials for an affordable city EV. With two doors and a boxy design, Hipster resembles a Suzuki Jimny that got wet or a Japanese kei car. The wheels are positioned at the extremities, slightly sticking out, and the compact proportions maximize interior space.
Dacia CEO Katrin Adt stated that the company’s goal is to become a leader in affordable electric mobility. “To get there, we had to reinvent the cheap EV under new rules we created ourselves.” The concept addresses a “mobility crisis” affecting Europe, in the context of rising prices and larger, heavier traditional cars.
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Dacia presented data showing that between 2001 and 2020, the cost of producing a car increased by 63%, while power rose by 43% to compensate for a 15% weight increase. Additionally, Europe has faced nearly 100 new regulations since 2010, with another 100 expected in the next five years. During the same period, the average car price increased by 45%, while urban mobility realities shifted: the average speed during a typical trip is 56 km/h, each car carries an average of 1.6 people, and the daily distance per person is under 40 kilometers.
Design and Functionality
Hipster offers a solution “that hasn’t existed before,” combining recycled and low-cost materials with compact proportions and a practical cabin. The interior accommodates four adults, despite having only two doors. Thin front seats, made from a material reminiscent of office chairs, provide ample legroom for an average-height adult.
David Durand, head of Renault’s design department, explained that a series version of Hipster will use plastic body elements and be assembled on a tubular chassis, not a conventional modular platform. Katrin Adt confirmed that, if the European climate allows, Dacia could launch the model in series production, with Renault already having manufacturing capacity.
The concept’s body is made of carbon fiber, and the architecture comes from an existing model, as does the drivetrain. The propulsion system for a future Hipster series remains a secret, but past statements from former CEO Denis Le Vot suggest around 50 horsepower and a range under 200 km. The price could be around €15,000.
The European Union aims to support the production of micro-electric cars like the Dacia Hipster without financial losses for manufacturers. Currently, the cheapest EV made in Europe is the Citroen e-C3, starting at €19,600, though the profit margin remains unknown.
Photo: euronews.ro
