Spanish automaker SEAT is taking a step toward the green vehicle market with the Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive. This plug-in hybrid was presented last week during a press conference about the automaker’s sustainability efforts. SEAT wants to release the Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive to European consumers by 2015. The automaker along with parent company Volkswagen also developed the Altea XL Electric Ecomotive as an initial foray into all-electric vehicles. This gradual evolution toward green vehicles kicks off with the SEAT Mii, a compact urban vehicle set for release by December 2012.
The Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive combines diesel and electrical operation to achieve a fuel economy rating of 138 miles per gallon. SEAT notes that the maximum speed in combination mode is 106 miles per hour. Drivers can travel up to 32 miles per charge in all-electric mode at a peak speed of 75 MPH. This model will be released to government fleets in Madrid and Catalonia by early 2012, thus providing real-world testing to inform development of a production version.
The Altea XL Electric Ecomotive uses an 85kW electric motor that is electronically limited to a top speed of 84 MPH. Designers placed the batteries underneath the rear seating area to provide more cargo room without impeding cockpit space. The roof is lined with solar panels that collect enough energy to power fans within the seating area. These fans moderate vehicle temperature during the summer, which reduce energy consumption for the climate control system. SEAT plans to release the Altea XL shortly after the Leon TwinDrive with a projected release in 2016.
The strategy adopted by SEAT uses a broad spectrum of fuel-efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles in the next decade to attract new customers. SEAT and Volkswagen are betting that at least one model from the first wave can become a signature vehicle akin to the Toyota Prius. The incorporation of similar drive components and design elements between the Altea and Leon TwinDrive allow SEAT to meet the needs of diverse consumers. The current economic crisis in Europe could dampen spirits at SEAT as Spanish governments cut back on new initiatives including vehicle fleets. This short-term obstacle to hybrid and electric vehicle adoption should not discourage long-term R&D investments by SEAT as a longer view is needed for significant changes in transportation.
