Saab: turbocharged small-capacity flexfuel engines key
Potential benefits of biofuels seem obvious with a reduced carbon footprint being a key reason. But, as we've covered in the past, alcohol fuels such as ethanol can also increase the performance of an engine if the engine is optimized properly. Saab realizes this fact and is considering implementing the idea for future powertrains.
The use of turbocharging can help take advantage of an engine running on ethanol and Saab has a history of force-feeding mass quantities of air into their engines. This being the case, it's not hard to understand why they might be interested in lowering the emissions of their engines by combining E85 capability with turbocharging. In so doing, they can actually reduce the displacement of the engine while still making the desired amount of power. They believe that this may be a short-term way to meet new emissions requirements while still delivering the driving experience that their customers desire. Saab sees hybrids as a potential long-term solution, but they are not yet ready to get one into production.
One might question, though, is whether or not Saab's intended market is ready to concede that small-displacement four-cylinder engines can be just as worthy in a sporty entry-level luxury car, no matter how much power they might produce.
[Source: Channel 4]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 9:17PM (10/07/2007)
I don't know, but I think that some of us are. I currently have a Benz B200 Turbo, and while it does not get as high mileage I would like, it does get 23 (city)/34 (hwy) US MPG, which isn't bad for a 193hp turbocharged 2.0L four cylinder engine. It is a great car. Reasonably speedy, roomy, and flexible. I don't view this car as a compromise at all.
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Dave 11:59PM (10/07/2007)
Perhaps Saab is ready for E85.
But will the E85 be ready for Saab?
I haven't seen any E85 around here (Rhode Island). And when running without ethanol's higher octane rating, these cars may be real dogs.
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Snark 1:39PM (10/08/2007)
Ethanol isn't a requirement. The VW Twincharger (a system that Saab should have invented first) gets 170hp out of a supercharged-turbocharged 1.4L. Fiat is getting 100hp out of a 900cc turbocharged twin-cylinder.
Personally, I think that engine sizes follow Amory Lovins' "Cold Beer" philosophy. Aside from car geeks, most people just want to be able to merge safely and not spend too much at the pump. They couldn't give a flying rat's ass what number of cylinders or what displacement their engine has, because most of them don't know in the first place. As long as you can assure adequate power and decent fuel economy, the size is hardly an issue.
It could even be a selling point - "we do more with less, therefore we're all green and high tech and stuff. Those other guys are getting the same power, but look how much they waste to do it!" The Prius has a tiny, low power gas engine, but it sells just fine - because the car is sold on its green merits. Saab should sell itself as the tech/efficiency company, the responsible way to be luxurious. Yuppies would eat it up.
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