I.DE.A e-Voluzione

Vehicle Overview

The I.DE.A e-Voluzione was a fully electric city car concept developed by the now-defunct Italian design house I.DE.A Institute. Unveiled in clay form at the 2016 Salone del Valentino in Turin, the e-Voluzione was conceived as a design and engineering exercise aimed at interpreting a modular urban vehicle architecture with high energy efficiency and adaptability. Although the project never reached production and remained a concept, it reflected the institute’s ambition to position itself at the forefront of electric vehicle development before its closure. Presented as a compact three-door, four-seat hatchback, the e-Voluzione stood out with its clear focus on efficient use of space and contemporary styling. Measuring 3,333 mm in length, 1,613 mm in width, and 1,526 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,270 mm, the vehicle weighed 980 kg including its battery. The aerodynamic drag coefficient was calculated at Cx = 0.36, appropriate for an urban-focused EV. The drivetrain featured a rear-mounted, permanent magnet synchronous electric motor delivering 55 kW and 180 Nm of torque. It was paired with a fixed-ratio gearbox (7.1:1) integrated into the rear differential. Power came from a centrally mounted lithium-ion battery pack with a total capacity of 24 kWh and a weight of 165 kg. Built on a modular high-strength steel chassis with hot-stamped body panels, the e-Voluzione was designed for structural efficiency and potential scalability across multiple models. MacPherson suspension systems were employed at both ends, using shared components to reduce tooling costs. It ran on 165/65 R15 low rolling resistance tires. Performance estimates included 0–50 km/h in 4.2 seconds, 0–100 km/h in 11.9 seconds, and a top speed limited to 125 km/h. Average energy consumption was calculated at 10.8 kWh/100 km, translating to less than €2 per 100 km under typical Italian electricity costs. The NEDC range was projected to exceed 200 km, with 28% regenerative braking efficiency. Although the I.DE.A e-Voluzione never moved beyond the concept stage, it remains an example of early attempts to explore modular, efficient electric mobility in a rapidly shifting automotive landscape.