In Australia theres a bloke in Victoria that can train you in his FRASCA for 20 hours. A good portion of the remaining 20 hours could be done in an R22 or H300 with the flight test done in a genuine IFR Longranger. I think there is still a requiremnent to do the test under the IFR in an IFR machine.
Theres a 206 and a 206L in Australia that are genuine IFR machines. This effectively limits you single engine IFR command but opens up the first officer world... all one needs is a type rating to act as a FO on any machine!
Surely a similar system would be perfectly adequete for the European requirements and make the IFR route a bit more accessible... not to mention lifting the game of the industry. If the test or perhaps the last 5 hours had to be done in a genuine IFR machine... albeit single engine... at least that would solve exposure to 'real' IMC conditions.
Only trouble is the machinery. Off the top of my head there is the one machine in the UK, two in Australia as mentioned. Theres a private AS350 B3 in New Zealand... perhaps thats where it would need to start... convincing the authorities that there are a few new types that would be suitable as single engine IFR... A119 springs to mind.