Geneva Preview: Saab to show latest BioPower 100 Concept
Saab has been showing various ethanol powered BioPower concepts and building production versions for the past couple of years. The latest version, the BioPower 100, will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The new concept will be derived from the 9-5 SportCombi wagon, and will be optimized for E100 pure ethanol. This concept is intended to show the performance potential of running on ethanol which has relatively high octane ratings.
The 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder will have a peak output of 300hp and 295lb-ft of torque thanks to increased boost and compression ratios made possible by the use of E100. The big 9-5 wagon will accelerate from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in a respectable 6.6 seconds and, even more impressively, does the fifth gear 50-75 mph run in 8.2 seconds. The concept will feature some exterior and interior design details from the Aero-X concept. The GM press release is after the jump.
[Source: General Motors]
Saab will give green motoring a performance boost at next month's Geneva Motor Show when it unveils its latest BioPower development.
The Saab BioPower 100 Concept showcases the first production-based engine to be optimized for pure bioethanol (E100) fuel. The result is a level of performance never seen before from a road car using this fuel.
To be shown as an exciting evolution of the Saab 9-5 SportCombi, this latest BioPower concept demonstrates the great performance potential of bioethanol. In combining Saab turbocharging expertise with the use of high octane E100 fuel, the optimized 2.0-liter engine from the 9-5 rangedevelops 300 hp maximum power. This has been possible through modifications to the engine management system and internal components, allowing the use of greater boost pressure with a raised compression ratio. That exceptionally high specific power output of 150 hp per liter demonstrates scope for future 'rightsizing', using smaller, high output engines that also deliver energy savings.
Peak power is complemented by a substantial 295 lb. ft. of torque, giving this optimized engine the power characteristics of a naturally-aspirated engine of 4.0-liters displacement. This is reflected in strong performance, the Saab 9-5 BioPower 100 Concept achieving zero to 62 mph acceleration in just 6.6 seconds and 50 – 75 mph (fifth gear) in an even more impressive 8.2 seconds.
The Saab BioPower 100 Concept being shown at Geneva features exterior and interior styling elements supervised by GME Advanced Design Director Anthony Lo, who oversaw Saab's award-winning Aero X Concept, which was also premiered at Geneva last year.
Saab already markets Europe 's best selling flex-fuel vehicle, the Saab 9-5 BioPower, and the Saab BioPower 100 Concept will extend its leadership position in the development of bioethanol technology.
"Bioethanol is a potent, high quality fuel which opens up exciting possibilities in helping to meet the environmental challenges that face us," says Kjell ac Bergström, president and CEO at GM Powertrain - Sweden , who has led the Saab BioPower 100 engine development team.
"As the need to reduce energy consumption increases, we are exploring ways to run smaller engines that give relatively high power, with and without hybrid technology. This concept car shows that bioethanol can play a key role in this 'rightsizing' process, while also minimizing fossil fuel emissions."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1985 Gripen 3:21PM (2/14/2007)
At first I didn't understand why a car company would further confuse the market and market a car with yet a different fuel (E100 versus E85). However, after thinking about it I realized what a great benefit this is.
I was lucky enough to speak with a SAAB engineer last week and learned that this concept would be introduced at Geneva. I asked him that if the whole reason E85 has that 15% gasoline in it is to assist in starting the car in cold temperatures, then how will one start the BioPower100 in Sweden in winter? He explained that there will be two separate fuel tanks. A large one and a much smaller one. The large one contains E100 and the smaller one contains gasoline. The car will start on the pure gasoline from the gasoline tank, then an ECU will automatically switch to the E100 tank once the engine's warm enough.
I thought this seemed a bit complex just to get the little bit of extra power the difference between E85 and E100 will get you. But then after thinking about it, this isn't really JUST about the extra power inherent in E100: it's about the CO2.
A car running E85 is burning 15% gasoline ALL THE TIME, despite really only needing it to start the car until it warms up. This concept would use less fossil fuel overall and therefore contribute fewer net greenhouse gases.
I wish SAAB had specifically mentioned this benefit in the press release because I don't know how many people would obsess on it as much as I do. I doubt many would...
BTW, the picture you show is of a run of the mill SAAB 9-5 Sport Combi. The BioPower100 has some distinctive styling differences. You can see a picture here:
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/images/9-5/BioPower100.jpg
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