No Screen, No Problem: Europe’s New Budget EV Goes Back To Basics

The new Dacia Spring, a budget electric vehicle, skips the center screen in its entry-level model, instead using the driver’s smartphone as the infotainment system. This approach, called Media Control, has been used by Dacia in other models and is designed to keep costs down. The base model starts at €17,900 ($20,800) in France, with the next trim level beginning at €19,400 ($22,500). The car still comes with a range of standard features, including a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, electric front windows, and air conditioning. The absence of a center screen is not the only change on the inside, as the base model also skips the start/stop button in favor of an old-school key. The car has a range of safety and driver-assistance features, including lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The more expensive version adds a 10-inch touchscreen, bigger wheels, and other features. Options include heated front seats, faster charging, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) to power external devices.