Volkswagen’s Spanish unit Seat has unveiled a Leon-based petrol/electric hybrid prototype with ‘Twin Drive’ technology.


The automaker plans to develop viable ‘plug in’ electric powered vehicles and said its first Twin Drive models could be in showrooms by 2014.


The prototype ultra-low emissions concept runs on electric power or a conventional petrol engine.


However, Seat’s development plans remain fluid and it’s still to be decided whether it will ultimately opt for a parallel hybrid layout (like the Toyota Prius, in which the wheels are driven by both powertrains) or a range extending ‘series’ hybrid (closer to an EV, with electric drive only and the gaoline engine charging the battery – eg Chevrolet Volt).


A Seat UK official told just auto: “These things are yet to be determined as the technology and development programme evolve, but we do certainly foresee the combination of an ICE and electric powertain operating in Seat vehicles.”

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“I would stress that this is a prototype that should really be seen as a statement of intent,” he added.


Seat’s initial plan is for such models to run on electricity in urban areas, switching seamlessly to conventional petrol or diesel power for longer trips out of town.


So-called ‘plug-in’ hybrid propulsion, as well as the eventual phasing out of the internal combustion engine in future Ecomotive models, is also on the agenda, Seat said.


Seat chairman García Sanz said: “Half way through the last century we made a decisive contribution to putting a whole generation on wheels. Today, 50 years on, we also want to be leading players at the beginning of a process of development and industrialisation of this type of car.”


The Twin Drive development plan, which stretches to 2014, focuses on creating a range of ‘Ecomotive’-branded vehicles with exceptional fuel economy and dramatically reduced CO2 emissions.


Seat has already launched a range of diesel-powered Ecomotive models with CO2 emissions low enough to fit the lowest road tax and company car tax bands here in the UK.


A new Ibiza Ecomotive, due for launch soon, is capable of 76.3 mpg on the EU combined test cycle (94.2 mpg extra urban) and joint best-in-class CO2 emissions of just 98 g/km.


The prototype Twin Drive Leon has an electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. There has been extensive modification of the gearbox, brakes, heating and cooling systems, while major changes to the vehicle’s electronics have also been made.


The prototype will allow engineers to research advanced electrical propulsion techniques, battery recharging and vehicle range.