Dacia Hipster: A Tiny Electric 'Kei-Car' Aiming for 2027 at Under £10,000

Dacia’s pint-sized electric concept from 2025 is reportedly heading to showrooms. The Hipster, a boxy microcar styled as a European take on Japan’s kei cars, is now expected to reach UK buyers in 2027 with a starting price below £10,000, according to British outlet Autocar, which cites a source close to the project.

The little EV slots in beneath the Spring in Dacia’s lineup and plays by Europe’s L7e quadricycle rulebook: no more than 450 kg without the battery, a 15 kW power ceiling and a 90 km/h top speed. Because those classifications cover L7e rather than M1 vehicles, the Hipster would likely sidestep the EU’s tariffs on Chinese-built electric cars.

Production is expected to take place at the Chinese facility in Shiyan where the first-generation Spring was assembled by eGT New Energy Automotive, the Renault-Nissan-Dongfeng joint venture. That plant stands to gain from the decision, particularly since the new Spring is set to be built in Slovenia instead.

Measuring roughly three metres long, the concept packed four full-size seats and up to 500 litres of luggage space with the rear bench folded, but the production car will swap the concept’s split tailgate for a side-hinged rear door. Dacia’s cost-first ethos carries into the cabin: a smartphone serves as key, navigation and infotainment, sliding side windows replace electric ones, and loop handles stand in for conventional door grips. The final design should be revealed next year.