Dacia Hipster Concept: the affordable electric people’s car

Europe is going through a period of change. This applies not only to cars, but also to the way we live, and the market is responding to those shifts.

Known for offering “the best value for money”, Dacia has unveiled a new concept with a very clear ambition: to reinvent the people’s car.

More than 20 years ago, the same brand aimed to introduce a family car for €5,000. It has now presented the Hipster Concept, an electric vehicle intended to be as affordable as the Logan was at the start of the century.

“This is the most Dacia project I have ever worked on. It has the same social impact as the Logan had 20 years ago.”

Romain Gauvin, Dacia Director of Advanced Design and Exterior Design

However, do not expect a price of around €5,000. Here is everything you need to know about the new concept.

What makes the Dacia Hipster Concept special?

Measuring just three metres long, 1.55 m wide and 1.52 m tall, the Dacia Hipster can still carry up to four adults. Its boot capacity ranges from 70 litres to 500 litres, according to the seating layout.

Its compact dimensions make it considerably shorter than Japanese kei cars, although it is wider. The Hipster Concept is also 20% lighter than the Dacia Spring, weighing no more than 800 kg.

Lower weight means fewer raw materials, less energy used during production and less energy needed to drive it. Together, these factors help cut its carbon footprint by half compared with current electric cars.

Simple, lightweight exterior design

That straightforward approach is also apparent in its styling. It is a compact block set on four wheels positioned at the corners, with clean lines and no unnecessary embellishment. At the front, horizontal headlights and a sturdy yet friendly appearance define the design. At the rear, the tailgate spans the full width of the car and opens in two sections, making the load area easier to access.

As with other models from the brand, clever measures have been used to reduce both cost and weight. The rear lights are built into the rear window, removing the need for extra components, while door handles have been replaced by straps that are lighter and more practical.

Only three body sections have been painted: the front end and the side-door entry areas. The remaining surfaces retain the material’s natural colour.

Interior space and BYOD technology

Inside, available space has been optimised to the fullest extent. The windows are upright, the seats have exposed frames and are covered in technical fabric. The front seat is a bench, recalling popular cars from the past, while the folding rear seat allows boot space to expand from 70 litres to 500 litres.

Its technology follows the BYOD - Bring Your Own Device - principle, with no central screen. The owner’s smartphone acts as the infotainment system and can even function as a digital key.

When will it arrive?

For now, the Dacia Hipster Concept is precisely that: only a concept. The brand’s engineers say it was designed with industrial feasibility in mind, but there are still details to resolve, particularly in relation to the regulations it would need to meet.

Although it was designed before Ursula von der Leyen announced the European E-Car, the Hipster offers an indication of what that category could look like. It also points to the direction the Romanian brand intends to take: affordable, simple, practical and sustainable electric cars.