Here is the new DR 1.0 EV, an electric city car already sold in China under the name Chery eQ1. Already marketed in Italy, it could quite arrive in France to overshadow the Dacia Spring. But like the Leapmotor T03 or the Nikrob EV, their price is no longer their main argument…
While specialists increasingly fear an invasion of Chinese manufacturers in Europe, it is the turn of a brand new city car to begin marketing here. This is the DR 1.0 EV, which is probably not completely unknown to you if you are an avid reader of Frandroid’s automotive section. Indeed, this new arrival is none other than the version intended for Europe of the Chery eQ1, which has just been restyled in China.
A slightly different version
A newcomer to the territory therefore, which will therefore compete head-on with the Dacia Spring, its main competitor in Europe. Because in the Middle Kingdom, the eQ1 has even more to do, especially in the face of the new Geometry Panda Mini and the Baic Jiabao, among others. But then, what is the difference between the Chery and this city car signed DR Automobiles? Well, to tell the truth, not much aesthetically.
Because the Italian manufacturer is simply content to distribute the models of its Chinese partner in his country. A bit like Dartz, who imported the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV under the Freze brand and therefore renamed it Nikrob EV. The eQ1 and the 1.0 EV display an almost identical style, apart from the grille which looks slightly different. As the site says Italy24, the city then displays a contained length of 3.20 meters.
The dimensions are identical to its Chinese cousin, with 1.67 meters wide and 1.55 meters high. The wheelbase is displayed at 2.15 meters, which can accommodate up to four people on board, but probably not over too long distances either. The trunk volume can meanwhile increase from 110 to 630 liters when the rear seat is folded down.
The car features a 9.7-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, combined with a 3.5 inch digital handset. As stated on the website of Argusthe endowment is rather complete, since it includes in particular the manual air conditioning, the induction charger for smartphone or the electric handbrake.
A higher price
Unlike the Chery eQ1 which comes in several versions with 28.8, 29.2 and 40.6 kWh batteries, the DR 1.0 EV is content with a single engine. Customers will therefore have no choice but to opt for the 45 kW motor, which is equivalent to 61 horsepower for 150 Nm of torque. For comparison, the most powerful version of the Dacia Spring, called Extreme now peaks at 65 horsepower, against 44 until then.
The Chinese city car also offers a single battery, with a capacity of 31 kWh, offering up to 210 kilometers of autonomy according to the WLTP cycle. The Spring oscillates for its part between 220 and 230 kilometers, with its accumulator of 27.4 kWh. This new DR 1.0 EV can then reach a maximum speed of 120 km/h and achieves 0 to 50 km/h in five seconds. The 0 to 100 km/h takes 17 seconds.
This newcomer to the European market is compatible with direct current charging, with a maximum power of 40 kW, against 30 kW for the Dacia Spring. It then takes 35 minutes to go from 20 to 80%, against 40 minutes to go from 15 to 80% for its Romanian rival. For AC charging, the city car comes standard with a 6.6 kW charger as specified on the brand’s website.
If the new DR 1.0 EV therefore competes on paper with the Spring, which is very successful in France to the point of becoming the best-selling electric car in 2022, it has a higher price. In fact, we have to count at least 25,900 euros in Italy, compared to 20,800 euros for the Spring. To be compared with the starting price of the Chinese version: less than 10,000 euros. The reason is in particular to look for import costs.
Also a competitor of the Leapmotor T03, this newcomer to the Old Continent should worry some competitors, including Renault or Smart, as it also hunts on the lands of the Twingo E-Tech and SUV #1.
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