2026 Dacia Spring update brings more power and better safety
Dacia has overhauled its tiny Spring EV to deliver more power, a new battery, faster charging and improved safety for 2026.
The changes are part of Dacia’s promise to roll out substantial annual updates to make its Leapmotor T03 rival “even more appealing every year”.
Previous years have brought major upgrades to the car in Europe but, with the car only on sale here since late 2024, the 2026 updates are the first UK buyers will benefit from.
Among the most significant changes are two new motors which bring a major power boost to the compact city car.
Entry-level cars now use a 69bhp motor in place of the previous 45bhp unit. That means the lower-grade car is now more powerful than the previous top-spec model. At the same time, the higher-grade car gets a boost from 65bhp to 99bhp.
Dacia hasn’t said what this does to the glacial 0-62mph time but has revealed it makes massive improvements at higher speeds. Accelerating from 50-75mph now takes 6.9 seconds in the 99bhp model compared with 14 seconds previously. The 69bhp model manages it in 10.3 seconds – a major lift over the terrifying 26.2 seconds of the old 45bhp car.
To support better high-speed performance, the 2026 Dacia Spring has undergone chassis updates. For the first time, it gets anti-roll bars to improve stability, enhanced by retuned shocks and springs. Braking power has also been improved.
Adding to safety improvements, the chassis has been reinforced, with a new battery contributing to a stiffer, safer structure and improved weight distribution.
That new battery is a 24.3kWh LFP unit – the first time the cheaper chemistry has been used in any Renault Group model. Despite being smaller than the previous NMC battery and working with more powerful motors, the new battery delivers the same range as the previous model – up to 140 miles per charge.
Dacia has also updated the Spring’s charging, increasing maximum DC rates from 30kW to 40kW. This will deliver a 20-80% charge in around 29 minutes.
The 2026 updates bring a simpler specification for the Spring. The new 69bhp powertrain is available with the Expression trim, while the 99bhp one comes exclusively in Extreme grade.
Expression models get a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, manual air conditioning, Media Control system with USB port, cruise control, remote central locking, powered front and rear parking sensors.
Extreme models add copper-coloured interior/exterior trim, powered mirrors and rear windows, and a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Prices for both are still to be confirmed but the current Expression 45 starts at £14,995, while the Extreme 65 starts at £16,995.
