The Dacia Spring has a brand new competitor, like it, from China. And she didn’t come here to suffer… uh… to do simple figuration.
A new Chinese brand is arriving at the start of 2023 on the Old Continent, it is a start-up by the sweet name of Leapmotor. No, it’s true, this name is not particularly harmonious to the ear, the name of the very first model with which it made its debut in France even less, it is the city car T03. But remember them both, because this electric city car could be talked about. It must be said that it does not lack arguments on paper against its designated competitor, the Dacia Spring…
Style: a fairly inspired T03, both literally and figuratively…
We cannot say that the design of the Leapmotor T03 is particularly inspired. But that of the Dacia Spring either, although because the recent restyling with the integration of the new logo has given it a little more character. But since we’re talking about inspiration, we can’t help but think of the Smart Forfour when observing the lines of the T03, especially in profile. We are not in pure and hard plagiarism as certain brands of the Middle Kingdom know how to do so well, but in the reference a little more subtle. No, it is not particularly original but it is modern in appearance and does not stand out in the French automotive landscape. A bit like the Spring. Those who prefer soft and clean lines will opt for the novelty, those who prefer backpackers and slightly raised vehicles will go for the Sino-Romanian. Tastes and colors, they say…
Interior: the more up-to-date Spring
Inside, on the other hand, there is no match. Generally, who says Dacia says basic interior. But, in recent years, it is clear that the Romanian brand has made great efforts to move its vehicles away from the low-cost spirit. The Duster II had taken a good step forward, the latest Sandero went even further with, for example, fabric to decorate the dashboard. Alas, there always has to be an exception to the rule, and that’s the Spring. The outdated design and the basic materials simply send back ten years… minimum.
It’s day and night with the interior of the Leapmotor, not as original as the line, but infinitely more modern. Digital counter, large touch screen (probably placed a little low, to be checked), black lacquered veneers, fabric on the storm doors, it looks more rewarding, more contemporary and seems better finished (to be checked there too).
It remains to be seen which of the two is the most pleasant to live with on a daily basis. Failing to have settled on board the T03, we will content ourselves with the technical data. If the Spring has one quality, it’s its good size/livability ratio with enough space in the back and a generous 270-litre boot for a vehicle of only 3.73 m. Shorter by 11 cm, the Leapmotor should be a little less spacious. This is already felt with the trunk volume only cubing 210 liters. Just sit in the back seat and take our meter to decide between them on this plan. That will be for later. The compactness of the T03 should at least benefit it in urban centres.
Motorization: a more versatile Leapmotor T03
Exactly, let’s come to the technical part. It is on this specific point that the Spring loses some feathers. Even though it has recently received a new, more powerful version developing some 65 hp (compared to 44 hp for the basic model), the T03 will undoubtedly be more efficient with its 109 hp. If its maximum speed is limited to 130 km/h (125 km/h for the Spring), it takes almost 2 seconds less to complete the exercise from 0 to 100 km/h: 12 s against 13.7 s for the Dacia.
It should also be more versatile with a higher capacity battery: 41.3 kWh against only 26.8 kWh. On the WLTP mixed cycle, the difference is not obvious with 280 km for the Leapmotor, 220 km for the Spring. But in the city, where it will be used mainly, the T03 could only be recharged every 417 km. The 305 km of the Spring are not ridiculous but they are much lower…
Price: a cheaper Spring but…
And yet, icing on the cake, the Leapmotor is not much more expensive. The only richly equipped version in the catalog (air conditioning, 10.1″ touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, reversing camera, fixed panoramic roof but, it’s original, only 2 airbags) costs €25,990. Only one option is offered, metallic paint at a price of 490 €. So yes, the Spring starts from €20,800 but with the small 44 hp engine. For the 65 hp version, it’s a minimum of €22,300. No doubt that if there was a Spring developing 109 hp, its price would not be very far from that of the T03. It might even be higher. Excellent price/performance ratio for the novelty. It only remains to see what it is worth on the road but, overall, the Spring has a lot to do.
So yes, nobody knows Leapmotor, but cheap Chinese cars are starting to interest French buyers. MG is proof of that. And, as far as the network is concerned, the T03 can be ordered from around fifty dealerships. Dacia is obviously doing better thanks to the power of the Renault group, but we have seen worse to start with. The full list of distributors should be shared by the end of the first quarter of 2023. The T03 is already available for sale. For the moment, no national site (it should not be long either), communication is only done via local campaigns. In other words, if you see an advertisement on Facebook and you are interested in this zero-emission city car, save all the information…
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Dacia Spring: new 65 hp engine and Extreme finish
Ecological bonus, conversion bonus and ZFE surcharge: what price for the Dacia Spring in 2023 with state aid?
Dacia Spring: 1st test of low-cost electric – VIDEO
The Dacia Spring has a brand new competitor, like it, from China. And she didn’t come here to suffer… uh… to do simple figuration.
A new Chinese brand is arriving at the start of 2023 on the Old Continent, it is a start-up by the sweet name of Leapmotor. No, it’s true, this name is not particularly harmonious to the ear, the name of the very first model with which it made its debut in France even less, it is the city car T03. But remember them both, because this electric city car could be talked about. It must be said that it does not lack arguments on paper against its designated competitor, the Dacia Spring…
Style: a fairly inspired T03, both literally and figuratively…
We cannot say that the design of the Leapmotor T03 is particularly inspired. But that of the Dacia Spring either, although because the recent restyling with the integration of the new logo has given it a little more character. But since we’re talking about inspiration, we can’t help but think of the Smart Forfour when observing the lines of the T03, especially in profile. We are not in pure and hard plagiarism as certain brands of the Middle Kingdom know how to do so well, but in the reference a little more subtle. No, it is not particularly original but it is modern in appearance and does not stand out in the French automotive landscape. A bit like the Spring. Those who prefer soft and clean lines will opt for the novelty, those who prefer backpackers and slightly raised vehicles will go for the Sino-Romanian. Tastes and colors, they say…
Interior: the more up-to-date Spring
Inside, on the other hand, there is no match. Generally, who says Dacia says basic interior. But, in recent years, it is clear that the Romanian brand has made great efforts to move its vehicles away from the low-cost spirit. The Duster II had taken a good step forward, the latest Sandero went even further with, for example, fabric to decorate the dashboard. Alas, there always has to be an exception to the rule, and that’s the Spring. The outdated design and the basic materials simply send back ten years… minimum.
It’s day and night with the interior of the Leapmotor, not as original as the line, but infinitely more modern. Digital counter, large touch screen (probably placed a little low, to be checked), black lacquered veneers, fabric on the storm doors, it looks more rewarding, more contemporary and seems better finished (to be checked there too).
It remains to be seen which of the two is the most pleasant to live with on a daily basis. Failing to have settled on board the T03, we will content ourselves with the technical data. If the Spring has one quality, it’s its good size/livability ratio with enough space in the back and a generous 270-litre boot for a vehicle of only 3.73 m. Shorter by 11 cm, the Leapmotor should be a little less spacious. This is already felt with the trunk volume only cubing 210 liters. Just sit in the back seat and take our meter to decide between them on this plan. That will be for later. The compactness of the T03 should at least benefit it in urban centres.
Motorization: a more versatile Leapmotor T03
Exactly, let’s come to the technical part. It is on this specific point that the Spring loses some feathers. Even though it has recently received a new, more powerful version developing some 65 hp (compared to 44 hp for the basic model), the T03 will undoubtedly be more efficient with its 109 hp. If its maximum speed is limited to 130 km/h (125 km/h for the Spring), it takes almost 2 seconds less to complete the exercise from 0 to 100 km/h: 12 s against 13.7 s for the Dacia.
It should also be more versatile with a higher capacity battery: 41.3 kWh against only 26.8 kWh. On the WLTP mixed cycle, the difference is not obvious with 280 km for the Leapmotor, 220 km for the Spring. But in the city, where it will be used mainly, the T03 could only be recharged every 417 km. The 305 km of the Spring are not ridiculous but they are much lower…
Price: a cheaper Spring but…
And yet, icing on the cake, the Leapmotor is not much more expensive. The only richly equipped version in the catalog (air conditioning, 10.1″ touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, reversing camera, fixed panoramic roof but, it’s original, only 2 airbags) costs €25,990. Only one option is offered, metallic paint at a price of 490 €. So yes, the Spring starts from €20,800 but with the small 44 hp engine. For the 65 hp version, it’s a minimum of €22,300. No doubt that if there was a Spring developing 109 hp, its price would not be very far from that of the T03. It might even be higher. Excellent price/performance ratio for the novelty. It only remains to see what it is worth on the road but, overall, the Spring has a lot to do.
So yes, nobody knows Leapmotor, but cheap Chinese cars are starting to interest French buyers. MG is proof of that. And, as far as the network is concerned, the T03 can be ordered from around fifty dealerships. Dacia is obviously doing better thanks to the power of the Renault group, but we have seen worse to start with. The full list of distributors should be shared by the end of the first quarter of 2023. The T03 is already available for sale. For the moment, no national site (it should not be long either), communication is only done via local campaigns. In other words, if you see an advertisement on Facebook and you are interested in this zero-emission city car, save all the information…
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Dacia Spring: new 65 hp engine and Extreme finish
Ecological bonus, conversion bonus and ZFE surcharge: what price for the Dacia Spring in 2023 with state aid?
Dacia Spring: 1st test of low-cost electric – VIDEO
