The Geneva Motor Show is in high gear, and Volkswagen subsidiary SEAT has no intentions of sitting on the sidelines during the massive European show, as the IBX crossover clearly illustrates.

The IBX was penned to show the Spanish brand’s future design direction, as well as the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly technology. Power for the front-wheel-drive concept comes from a Chevrolet Volt-like mixture of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery pack. SEAT hasn’t provided many details about the powertrain, only mentioning that the vehicle could travel 45 kilometers (28 miles) on an electricity alone, with the range-extending gas or diesel engine kicking in once electro-juice is exhausted. SEAT says that the engine could come courtesy of one of the gas or diesel offerings already available in its lineup.

On the design front, this little ute’s two-door design carries some coupe-inspired lines while still
aiming for the roominess of a crossover. The overall form is clean and attractive, if a bit nondescript (an impression no doubt enhanced by its relentlessly white paint). Chief designer Luc Donckerwolke says in the company’s press release that the IBX represents the footprint of future SEAT design, adding that “this design DNA will have a profound impact on every one of our models.” Hit the jump to read over the official press release, and peruse the high-res images of the IBX concept by clicking on the galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: SEAT]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: SEAT IBX Concept looks… appliance white

Geneva 2011: SEAT IBX Concept looks… appliance white originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan has revealed its Townpod EV concept, a sort of larger, more amorphous take on the Cube and Leaf. Singularly Japanese in feel, the Townpod is intended to bridge the world of private and commercial vehicles. According to the splendiforously indulgent press release (sample: “The innovative position of the headlights also allows a coupe-esque bonnet line, not dissimilar to Nissan Z, which feeds in to a visor-like wraparound, blue tinted glass house, reminiscent of Nissan Cube, while the galls to body proportions hark back to the rat-rods of the fifties.“), the Townpod targets everyone from young entrepreneurs to first-time home builders and retirees looking to turn their hobby into a paycheck.

The barn-doored concept has a bizarrely characterful and friendly looking animated marshmallow-like face, with headlamps that feature blue ‘petals’ that change position depending on whether they are being used as marker units or headlights. The interior is a flexible space that’s designed to accept third-party storage accessories and such, and it’s complete with a display that according to Nissan is designed to coordinate with the owner’s PDA (who uses a PDA anymore?).

Nissan says that the Townpod has been designed as an EV, though interestingly, it actually doesn’t explain the motivational technology underneath the vehicle’s sheetmetal. Its mystery powerplant is seemingly appropriate for such a blank-canvas concept, of course. After all, François Bancon, Nissan’s general manager of its Exploratory and Advance Planning Department notes that the same blank-slate mindset is true of the car’s intended audience: “What is more revealing is that Nissan Townpod users do not appreciate stereotypes or status symbols. For them, the ultimate status is to have no status.” Uh-huh.

Check out our high-res galleries below and be sure to hop the jump for more sage thoughts from Nissan.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Paris 2010: Townpod EV concept continues Nissan’s obsession with car as appliance

Paris 2010: Townpod EV concept continues Nissan’s obsession with car as appliance originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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