The probability of a manufacturer producing what looks like an electric buggy is close to zero. However, several manufacturers use this kind of machine as a concept car. The latest is signed by Dacia with its Manifesto.
They are often closer to the lunar exploration machine than to a real vehicle that we could come across on our roads. However, it is sometimes in this form, the buggy concept, that manufacturers present their vision of the future of mobility. On September 16, 2022, it’s Dacia’s turn to take part in this funny exercise with its Manifesto concept.
Dacia is not the only manufacturer to have ventured into this niche. Audi, Volkswagen, Citroën, Lexus or even DeLorean have already had fun with this kind of gear.
About the Dacia Manifesto Concept
As the name of Dacia’s concept suggests, it’s essentially a manifesto. A vision of the future which will not give, in the state, any vehicle marketed in this form. Dacia is taking advantage of this presentation of the Manifesto to reaffirm that the brand specializes in robust and cool outdoor vehicles.
What is interesting to remember about this concept is that it promotes the reduction of the carbon footprint. However, this is not necessarily obvious when we currently think of Dacia. It is compact (3.6 m) and light, it could be quite efficient in theory. The brand speaks of “green motorization”, without saying more about its vision of the future on this issue.
The concept also gives pride of place to recycled materials. A good part of the parts, which are used for the bodywork and the interior, are made from reused polypropylene. Cork replaces the leather and imitation leather that traditionally equips dashboards and steering wheels. The use of airless tires also goes in the direction of the durability of the elements. With tires that could become indestructible, Dacia also aims to link ecology and economy.
The choice of the buggy is certainly justified to reinforce the fact that the vehicle is dedicated to pleasure and outdoor activities. Without distorting the message, we could just as well have placed these elements on a slightly more urban vehicle of the same size, with a roof, doors and a trunk. A sort of Dacia Spring from the future, but perhaps the brand didn’t want to commit to making false promises. The production of a buggy is unlikely, a vision of a Dacia Spring of the future could have created unnecessary expectations.
Other brands have also created buggies/SUVs with no market perspective
It’s all the more surprising to see Dacia present a concept in the form of a buggy, when several other brands, especially European ones, have already had fun with this type of bodywork. Nevertheless, public feedback has been rather mixed overall.
At the end of August, it was the DeLorean brand that released a half-SUV, half-buggy concept vehicle, which left us somewhat on the sidelines.
Observing the lines of the DeLorean model, it is also another concept, signed Audi and presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2019, which we thought of. If no vehicle for the general public should result from this machine, what ultimately comes closest to it are the vehicles entered by the German manufacturer in sports competitions, such as the Dakar or the Extreme E.
In fact, the Dacia Manifesto reminds us above all of a hydrogen concept signed Lexus. By its compact size of small adventurer, we find a little the same state of mind as in the Lexus ROV. Except that Dacia has brought a whole vision of sustainable development, absent from the Lexus concept.
The real concept of electric buggy, which really made people talk about it, is the ID. Volkswagen buggies. It is perhaps a real mistake on the part of the German manufacturer not to try to make it happen. When it was presented in 2019, the vehicle received real acclaim from the public. Is this enough to start producing such a machine? Probably not, but the brand has relaunched ID. Buzz in the footsteps of his old Combi. The ID. Buggy could have found an equally eccentric and nostalgic clientele of the past.
Finally, the only brand to have produced its imitation buggy is Citroën with its Ami limited edition Buggy. You can make fun of it, but it’s the closest thing to it, in what has actually been marketed. Unlike other concepts, the Ami Buggy concept is about to become a reality and is not just there to wow the gallery at a trade show.
