The Dacia Spring Electric has just been revealed as the most affordable electric in Europe, but it already has a claimant to that throne, the Dartz Freze Nikrob (or just Freze Nikrob).
Produced in Lithuania and released on the "Old Continent" by the hand of the Dartz company, best known for making 4×4 armored vehicles, like the one used by Sacha Baron Cohen in the movie "The Dictator", this small four-seater city dweller started his life in China.
It was born there as Wuling Hongguang and was the result of a joint venture between GM and Chinese brands SAIC and Wuling.
To justify the launch of the Freze Nikrob, Dartz recalled that "the market has many proposals, but the market for small and cheap city cars is practically empty".
How much does it cost?
Launched about a year ago in China, this small electric city is fast becoming one of the best sellers in China.It was subject to some changes to be sold in Europe, having received new security systems, in addition to the lighting having been revised. Unlike other proposals, such as the Citroën Ami, the Freze Nikrob is not a quadricycle, being approved as a light passenger vehicle, just like the Dacia Spring or the Smart fortwo.
It has been on sale in Lithuania for about a month and, according to Dartz, there has been no lack of demand from car-sharing and delivery companies.
As for pricing, the small Dartz Freze Nikrob is available in two trim levels — base and Luxury. In the first one, the price is fixed at 9999 euros, and in the more “luxurious” version, which has a larger battery, more “environmentally friendly” materials and stronger glass, it costs 14,999 euros.
modest numbers
Speaking of batteries, the Dartz city can be equipped with a 9.2 kWh or 13.8 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 200 km. The electric motor, mounted at the rear, has 17 hp and 85 Nm and allows reaching 100 km/h.
For now, we still don't know if the new Dartz Freze Nikrob will reach other European markets or the Portuguese market.