The Elaris Dyo will start in 2023 as a competitor to the Smart Fortwo, which is also electric. We have already set out for the first test drives in advance.
"Same pack, more content!" With this recipe, the Elaris brand does not want to score points on the supermarket shelf, but in the electric city car segment. In early 2023 the Elaris Dyo will be launched. With a length of only 2.87 meters, it towers slightly over the two-seater Smart Fortwo EQ, but offers a battery that is almost twice as large for more range.
The ternary lithium battery of the Dyo, which Elaris has manufactured by Dorcen in China, offers a storage capacity of 31.8 kWh. A range of 300 kilometers is specified as the NEDC value, and 11.9 kWh per 100 kilometers as the WLTP consumption. Based on the standard consumption, you could reach a little over 260 kilometers. This means that the range of the Elaris Dyo is almost twice that of the Smart. According to the brochure and price list, its 17.6 kWh battery allows a radius of up to 135 kilometers.
Sufficiently large trunk
Before we set off on the first test drive with a pre-series model of the Elaris Dyo, there is time to thoroughly check the space available. Behind the tailgate, the dwarf swallows 228 liters - interestingly, the same value that Ora offers for the much larger Funky Cat. We don't have measuring cubes with us, but a hand luggage trolley and small items. This can be easily stowed away in the Dyo. A supermarket purchase with a crate of drinks should also be able to be accommodated here without any problems.
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A very low net must be sufficient to secure the load, as well as the backrests of the two seats. This shows the narrow format of the Elaris Dyo. With a width of 1.56 meters (ten centimeters narrower than the Smart Fortwo), it takes the fright out of tight parking spaces. Despite the slightly offset backrests, the driver and front passenger sit quite close together. Tall pilots not only have to put up with the low fore/aft position of the seat, but also the lack of height adjustment and a rigid steering column. But you can manage on short and medium distances – the Elaris Dyo doesn’t want to offer more anyway.
Modern cockpit, good equipment
The materials used and their processing fit. The logo of the manufacturer Dorcen can still be seen on the integrated seats of the test car; that is likely to change in the coming year. Behind the multifunction steering wheel are easy-to-read digital instruments with a clear indication of the current charge status of the battery and the remaining range. At first glance, the 12.3-inch display of the infotainment system with touchscreen seems almost oversized in a small car.
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Based on the Google Android operating system, the Elaris Dyo allows apps to be installed here, provided you use your own smartphone as a WiFi hotspot. Google Maps can then show the way and Spotify can provide the soundtrack. Even programs that are not very useful in the car, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, are installed in the test vehicle. From 2023, the production cars for sale in Germany should also allow smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Access and engine start are keyless. This helps when using the car in mobile nursing services or when delivering courier shipments and pizzas, who often get in and out.
Harsh chassis, mellow drive
On the test drive, the Elaris Dyo proved to be quite mellow, apart from the chassis, which responded quite harshly at low speeds. The output of the up to 35 kW (48 hp) electric motor that drives the front wheels is more than sufficient for the two-seater, which weighs less than a ton. A top speed of 110 km/h should be possible. But on the country road, 90 km/h is enough. In the test car, there are loud wind noises on the door seals, and the glass on the exterior mirrors shakes a lot. Both should be able to be changed quickly as part of the series preparation.
The Elaris Dyo is in its element in urban areas. You don't only notice this when looking for a parking space, but already on the way. Traffic islands can be turned around in one go, while even compact vehicles have to back up at least once to manoeuvre. The overview also gives no cause for criticism.
Unfortunately, the on-board computer does not show an average consumption. However, based on the range information at the start and after the end of the test drives, a range of around 280 kilometers can be calculated. The recuperation of the electric drive in city traffic probably helped here.
DC charging with 20 kW
The pre-series Dyo cannot yet recharge in public spaces due to the lack of the right plug. The finished product is said to be able to draw 20 kW of direct current via the CCS connection, with which the storage capacity of the battery can be increased from 30 to 80 percent in 45 minutes. Alternating current can only flow into the car in a single phase with 3.3 kW. The Elaris Dyo is parked at the wall box or charging station for six hours to change the percentage in the cockpit from five to 80.
In view of the car's design for city traffic, installing an onboard charger for three-phase AC charging with up to 22 kW would make more sense than the DC option. Then the battery could be quickly recharged during the appointment in the city.
Price at Smart level, but more battery
The Elaris Dyo costs 24,900 euros before deduction of 4,500 euros environmental bonus. This puts it on the same level as the Smart Fortwo EQ. With roughly the same equipment, this costs 24,865 euros in the Passion equipment line with an optional media system.For the same price and in (almost) the same format, the Dyo comes with more content in the form of a much larger battery.
In leasing, Elaris offers the Dyo for private customers from 90 euros a month, including insurance from around 130 euros. After two years and with 20,000 kilometers on the clock, if you deduct the down payment in the amount of the environmental premium and 24 installments of 90 euros each from the purchase price, a Dyo should still have a lavish residual value of 18,240 euros. Anyone who concludes a kilometer leasing contract avoids the risk of possible differential payments at the end of the term. Elaris deliberately calculates the leasing tariff cheaply. The aim is to reduce the cost of an electric car to that of a smartphone tariff. The Euromaster service chain is responsible for sales and service.
Conclusion
The Elaris Dyo is a two-seater electric city car that emulates the concept of the Smart Fortwo. Drive, workmanship and range of the dwarf built in China make a good impression on the first test drives. Unfortunately, the lack of side airbags saves on safety. The purchase price is not really low. The manufacturer's leasing offer should be more interesting for many customers.
