Spanish carmaker SEAT has revealed its take on sporty yet green motoring with the debut of its very first electric concept. Unveiled to the motoring press this morning at the Geneva Motor Show, the carmaker made the world debut of its new all-electric sports coupe called the IBE.
The SEAT IBE concept car uses the zero-emissions drive combined with a ‘clean, athletic styling’ intended to hint at the next generation of SEAT design. It is the first time the carmaker has released an alternatively fuelled concept, having focused on the development of more fuel-efficient fossil-fuelled models.
Short, low and wide with an extremely low front end – the SEAT IBE is 3.78 metres long – making it more than 25 centimetres shorter than an Ibiza – but its unusual breadth of 1.80 metres and overall height of just 122 centimetres lend it classic sports car proportions.
James Muir, President of SEAT S.A. said: “With the IBE we are demonstrating that, for SEAT, electric mobility will always be combined with excellent design and outstanding driving fun.
“The IBE is in the best SEAT tradition of always offering the boldest and most youthful cars in its class. On top of that, our first electric concept car represents the continuation of our strategy for the future.
The two-door model features 19-inch wheels, full LED headlamps, SEAT’s trademark arrow design nose, elongated and flattened V-shaped bonnet (made possible thanks to use of a full electric motor). At the back, the rear light clusters again feature LED light guide technology and once again display the ‘arrow’ thematic.
Tightly cut as a 2+2 model, the IBE is aimed at young carefree couples who may only occasionally require the car to seat four. With the lithium-ion battery positioned in the car’s rear, the new concept has a maximum output of 75 kW (102 PS) and 200 Nm of torque. The typical ‘city dash’ from 0 to 50 km/h takes only 3.4 seconds; within 6.3 seconds the IBE has reached 80 km/h and, after only 9.4 seconds, it arrives at 100 km/h.
The 1,000 kg car’s continuous power rating is limited to 50 kW (68 PS), with the top speed pegged at 160 km/h – more than enough to cut an impressive dash even on urban motorways. Battery capacity is 18 kWh which is sufficient for city living demands.
The new car is equipped with the latest safety and communication systems too, in particular, it is prepared for car-to-x communication. Anticipating the information network of the future, the car is even capable of exchanging data about its status or safety alerts directly with other vehicles or the traffic infrastructure.
Along with the huge success of its highly efficient Ecomotive models, the Spanish brand now says it is working intensively on electric mobility; and that includes plug-in hybrid drive, as well as an all-electric vehicle.
