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Comment by GuB-42 | Hacker News Reader

See the Dacia Spring, not only it is an EV for about $20k, but if you look at the interior, you don't even realize it's electric. It is all knobs and dials, some models are equipped with a screen and GPS for navigation, but you won't get more than that in term of connectivity.

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They have the instruments cluster that looks like a Christmas tree.

Giant colorful "econometer" that screams like "some manager wanted to put an ad to remind you how efficient the car is" that has questionable usability, especially compared to its size. And right-hand side displays a red-colored last block even when the tank is not empty, messing up color coding. It would've made more sense to apply colors where they matter, like on the speedometer when you're going too fast, or when the car is in reverse.

Why can't most car vendors hire someone with a brain for a UI designer?

That sounds great, but I'm a bit sad that it seems to come only in SUV form factor. Do you happen to know if they have anything in less obnoxious sizes?

It’s not a SUV. It’s small funny car. With catastrophic crash test result. On the pictures is looks indeed like a normal SUV, but it is not.

Crash test: https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/dacia/spring/44197

Spring owner here. It's a cool little car. The main disadvantage is that AC recharging is extremely slow (6.6 kW three phase) because they skimped on battery cooling. And opening/closing the doors feels more like a 1990 Fiat Panda. It obviously doesn't go fast on the highway but in the city it's great, the electric motor gives it surprising acceleration for a 33 kW engine.

It's 3.70 meters long, definitely not an SUV. It's not only the smallest EV (the Volkswagen e-UP is unobtainable at least in Italy) but one of the smallest cars in general.

Here's an article with a photograph showing the Dacia Spring next to a person. Definitely more of a Pontiac Vibe than an SUV.

https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/dacia-spring-pres...

Looks like a hatchback to me.

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