Seat has introduced two new eco-friendly prototype models, the Altea XL Electric Ecomotive, which is an all-electric zero-emission version of its mid-size MPV, and the Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive, a plug-in hybrid variant of its C-segment hatchback.
A test fleet of the two models, which are still in prototype form, will be made available to Catalonia and Madrid government institutions in order to gather valuable information about real-world usage of the cars before moving on to mass production versions
Seat, which has already developed a petrol-electric hybrid Leon prototype two years ago, plans to launch its first plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in 2015 and its all-electric car a year later.
The company’s president, James Muir, said: “Customers demand a more sustainable for of mobility, but their needs are diverse. Therefore, we believe that a parallel strategy of developing two different technologies will put Seat in the best position to meet their needs.”
The Altea XL Electric Ecomotive is powered by an electric motor with an output of 115HP (85kW) and 270 Nm (199.1 lb-ft) of torque. Its top speed is electronically limited to 135 km/h (84 mph) and has a driving range of 135 km (84 miles), while the fact that the battery pack is mounted under the rear seats means that there is no loss of space in the interior.
The all-electric Altea has a kinetic energy regeneration system and photovoltaic cells in its rooftop that recirculate fresh air in the cabin when the car is parked, thus reducing the need to use the energy-consuming air conditioning system afterwards.
In EV mode, Seat’s plug-in hybrid Leon has a driving range of 52 km (32.3 miles) and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). In combined mode (electrical plus combustion) the consumption forecast is 1.7 lt/100 km (138.3mpg US) and 18.5 kWh per 100 kms, with CO2 emissions of 39g/km, while top speed rises to 170 km/h (105 mph).
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