At last year’s Geneva Auto Show, Spanish auto maker SEAT displayed its hybrid Leon Ecomotive Twin Drive project, which the company said was its first step towards a pure electric production car. Just one year later it came through with a progress report, in the form of an EV concept sports car, the IBE. A new version of the IBE, featuring further-developed design, technology and interior, will be unveiled this weekend at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. We’ll be there to gawk at the thing in person, but in the meantime, here’s a little about the car.
The 1,100 kg (2,425 lb) 2+2-seater IBE is billed as “a super-compact sports coupé for urban mobility in the near future.” Given that the car is only 3.83 meters (12.57 feet) long, it does indeed seem best-suited to urban use. Specifically, it was designed with European cities such as Paris, London, Berlin and Barcelona in mind.
The car’s front-mounted 75 kW (102 PS) electric motor is powered by a rear-mounted Li-ion battery. These combine for a claimed maximum output of 75 kW (102 PS) and 200 Nm of torque, resulting in a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 9.7 seconds. The IBE’s continuous power rating is 50 kW (68 PS), with a reported top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) and a range of about 130 km (81 miles).
Connectivity is a key feature of the IBE, via the IBEconnect system. Using a smartphone, users can conduct an online check of the car’s systems, including the charge level of the battery. Additionally, albums or songs stored on the phone can be played through the car’s sound system, while various driver assistance and navigational apps are also available.
There’s no word yet on when – or if – SEAT will be offering a production version of the IBE.
