The Seat IBE electric concept car is described by the Spanish carmaker as a ‘sporty and dynamic concept for urban mobility’ that gives a subtle clue to the ongoing development of the next generation of SEAT design.
The SEAT IBE is 3.78 meters long – making it more than 25 centimeters shorter than an Ibiza – but its unusual breadth of 1.80 meters and overall height of just 122 centimeters lend it classic sports car proportions.
Classically sporty features of the two-door layout include its extremely low bonnet and long roof line. The short front overhang and muscular rear end work together with the arch-filling 19-inch wheels to underscore the car’s powerful, compact look.
Visual highlights include the full LED headlamps, trademark Arrow Design nose, elongated and flattened V-shaped bonnet (made possible thanks to use of a full electric motor), broad ‘shoulders’ and sculpted flanks. 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, the IBE is conceived for youthful lifestyles and while it has plenty of space for a couple, there is also the possibility of carrying up to four.
The SEAT IBE’s motor is found beneath the extremely flat bonnet, with the lithium-ion battery positioned in the car’s very short rear. With a maximum output of 75 kW (102 PS) and 200 Nm of torque, the power unit delivers exactly the kind of dynamic driving fun you might expect of a car that looks so sporty. 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 plenty to cover all the daily mobility requirements of city life.
It goes without saying, of course, that the SEAT IBE is equipped with the latest safety and communication systems and, in particular, 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.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]