Seat IBE Coupe Concept 2 in the Flesh from the Paris Motor Show

Following on from our preview of Seat's latest IBE Concept model, we now have live pictures of the compact sports coupe from the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Improvements over the first IBE Concept, which was shown in Geneva earlier this year, include refinements to the design and technology, while the Paris Show car now also sports an interior.

Measuring in at just 3.83 meters (12.5 ft) in length, the IBE Paris is smaller than Volkswagen's Scirocco. Utilizing a 75 kw (102 hp) electric drive system, the concept is good for 130 km (81 miles) on a single charge. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) can be achieved in 9.7 seconds

"The IBE shows SEAT's vision for a car of the future that is as emotional as it is ecologically responsible and affordable," said Seat's design boss of former Lamborghini fame, Luc Donckerwolke.

"The IBE is a concentrated version of our design DNA. Both exterior and interior are characterised by their focus on key elements, by a clear and precise architecture, by modern technology and by materials that are as high-quality as they are ecological."

By Tristan Hankins

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Paris Preshow: Exagon Motors' 340-horsepower Electric Furtive e-GT

Unveiled to a small group of French journalists ahead of its world premiere at this week's Paris Motor Show, is this sleek-looking coupe from Exagon Motors called the Furtive e-GT.

Somewhere beneath the Renault Laguna Coupe-like lines (or is that just me?) are two electric motors from Siemens that are backed up by a gasoline range extender.

With both electric motors working together, the Siemens-powered Furtive is looking to be a real Tesla performance contender (though probably not anywhere near the same price point).

Numbers are estimated to go something like this: 3.5 seconds to 100km/h (62mph), 340 horsepower, and a 400-kilometer / ~ 249-mile electric range (800 km / ~ 497 miles all told with the gasoline mill kicking in).

Top speed, transmission, and storage capacity have yet to be announced. Hell, maybe they're explained in the video below, but Phil doesn't speak French. Regardless, those stats should appear within the week as the Paris show gets into gear.

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoblog.com / Autoblog.nl

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Dutch Superbus Limousine Hits the Track in New Video

Remember the 15-meter long Superbus from Holland's Delft University of Technology? Sure you do; it's the big, electric, beetle-icious bus that's going to be the efficient transportation for the future's well-off city dwellers.

Way back in March we brought you some photos of the first prototype being built, and now it looks as if the Superbus is starting to take shape. For some new video of a more show-ready bus making its way around the track, scroll on down.

Here's a brief refresher: the Superbus should be able to carry 23 passengers in personal or group cabins, will feature obstacle detection systems, and hopes to make a go at 155 mph. For some more information, check out our previous post here.

By Phil Alex

Samir Sadihkov’s 2020 Inceptor Supercar Study

What you see pictured here is a futuristic proposal for a hybrid supercar crafted by Samir Sadikhov, a talented 19-year old designer from Azerbaijan. Even though the concept study has an exterior with a few styling cues here and there from cars such as the Pininfarina / Ferrari P45, Bugatti Veyron and Jaguar XJ220, plus a little bit of Lexus LFA in the interior, there is a lot to like about the design.

The elongated A-pillars, for instance, are set far forward, almost directly in the driver's line of vision. This is to make allowances for the cab-forward scissor doors that seem to take their shape from the doors on the GT40 Le Mans winner.

The cat-like haunches at the front and outrigger-style rear wheel covers give the Inceptor a strong, menacing stance. So too do the oversized, jet fighter-style exhausts.

Inside, the Inceptor is pretty standard; the one notable feature is the air condition vents that are literally sculpted into the dash.

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Samir Sadikhov

Renault Reveals All-Electric 2011 Kangoo Z.E. Van at Hannover Show, Sales Start Next Year

Renault has released pictures and details of the 2011 Kangoo Express Z.E. pure-electric van it showed at this week's International Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany. It is the first of several production EVs Renault plans to launch over the next few years and the first all-electric van to be developed and built by a vehicle manufacturer - or so the company claims.

Fitted with a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery, the Kangoo Express Z.E. (Zero Emission) is good for 160 km (99 miles) on a single charge (6 to 8 hours from a standard 220 volt socket). The electric motor produces 44 kw (60 hp) and 226 Nm from idle and top speed is electronically limited to 130 km / h (81 mph).

In Europe, the Kangoo Express Z.E. costs €20,000 (US$26,776), or €15,000 (US$20,082) after the €5,000 (US$6,694) electric vehicle subsidy. This is unavailable in the UK as the Kangoo Express is classed as a light commercial vehicle there.

With the subsidy the price is the same as that for the Kangoo Express diesel. Buyers also have the choice of leasing the van, though prices have not been disclosed.

However, it should be noted that ownership of the vehicle will be separate to that of the battery. According to the French carmaker, customers will be able to purchase, or rent, their Z.E. van and then lease the batteries for €72 (US$96) a month for four years, with a yearly driving limit of 14,490 km (9000 miles).

The cost to fully recharged the batteries (for up to 160km driving range) is believed to be between €1 and €2 (US$1.34 -$2.68) depending on local electricity prices.

The Kangoo Express Z.E. has the same cargo carrying capacity as its ICE siblings and can be pre-ordered today, with first deliveries expected for mid-2011.

By Tristan Hankins