Next-gen Saab 9-5 to get 1.6L base engine
Saab's decision to start down-sizing goes into full effect in 2009 with the debut of the new 9-5. The 9-5 is expected to break out the Geneva Motor Show in March. Saab's largest car will be built on the new Epsilon II architecture that debuted last month with the new Opel Insignia. The smallest engine in the new 9-5 is expected to be a turbocharged 1.6L probably with direct injection. Other engines will include the 2.8L version of GM's twin cam V6 along with a pair of diesels. A 2.0L four cylinder along with GM's new 2.9L V6 diesel should be available. The use of direct injection will allow Saab to use higher boost levels matching the power of the larger engines with less displacement. Flex-fuel BioPower engines will certainly be part of the equation as well.
[Source: Channel 4]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GenWaylaid 3:32AM (8/13/2008)
Yes, but which engines are coming to the U.S.? I'd love to see the 1.6L paired with the new 6-speed transmission in GM's midsize cars, but the American market so often gets only the largest engines in the range.
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Calguy 12:03PM (8/13/2008)
I'll second that for the 1.6t. I had a 2001 9-5 with 185 hp and it was plenty stealth (more than any normal person needs). My new-ish 2006 had 250 hp. I never need all that oomph.
Gladly, I'd take a higher-tech, lower hp engine for way better fuel economy. Power is out. MPG is hot.
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1985 Gripen 2:18PM (8/13/2008)
There is rumor in the Saab 'blogosphere that perhaps the 1.6-liter engine in the next-gen 9-5 will actually be Saab's SVC (Saab Variable Compression) production debut.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/feature/feature/1878/1
Saab won various engineering awards for this technology back in 2000 and had a working prototype driving a relatively large and heavy Saab 9-5 sedan with ease.
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2005/09/more_svc.html
The prototype SVC engine was a supercharged inline-5-cylinder 1.6-liter unit. By changing the compression ratio based on driving conditions one gets the fuel economy of a 1.6-liter engine with the same power as a 3-liter engine. The little 1598cc prototype SVC engine put out 225 bhp and 225 lb-ft of torque!
The SVC project was thought to have been shelved when GM took over Saab due to cost issues, but Saab filed a patent (http://www.gtyurkon.com/Saab/pat7213545.pdf) in May of last year on a new way to incorporate the technology. Rumor was the Achilles Heel of the SVC engine was previously the longevity issues related to the seal when they hinged the cylinder head. The new patent shows the engine actually moving the crankshaft! If Saab was still working on this technology enough to file for a new patent early last year it must mean the project is not yet dead!
Here's hoping SVC sees production!
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