Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept: World's First Fossil-free Hybrid Vehicle

[midnight armadillo]

http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/press/060330.html
World Premiere at Stockholm Auto Show
Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept: World's First Fossil-free Hybrid Vehicle

* Innovative hybrid concept based on pure bioethanol
* Zero fossil CO2 emissions in all modes
* 260 hp Saab BioPower engine running on E100 fuel
* Increased performance with threefold torque boost from electric motors
* Fuel saving 'Zero Mode' for city driving on electric power only
* Energy saving features including regenerative braking
* Space efficient modular design uses existing vehicle architecture
* All-wheel-drive for improved traction

The innovative Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept, making its world premiere at the Stockholm Motor Show (March 30 - April 9, 2006), delivers zero fossil CO2 emissions, enhanced performance and a range of energy-saving features by combining the use of pure bioethanol fuel and electric power generation for the first time. As the world's first fossil-free hybrid vehicle, the Saab 9-3 Convertible show car also becomes the world's first hybrid soft-top.

Packing formidable pulling power from its 260 hp (191 kW) 2.0-liter turbo BioPower engine and 53 kW electric motors, the BioPower Hybrid Concept in the Saab 9-3 can briefly generate torque values three times greater than its gasoline-only equivalent. It is a sporty combination that makes for improved performance, as you would expect from Saab, as well as greater fuel economy and an extended driving range.

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The press release quotes 30.5 mpg in mixed driving. Not bad for a car with plenty of power too! That's not as good as a Prius, but hey, good performance is a safety feature. :)

[phantom power]

1. I like the "Zero Mode"

[JohnWxy]

2. Glad to see this. The Saab BioPower 9-5 non-hybrid gets comparable mileag

running on Ethanol 85.

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/saab-9-5-2.0t-biopower-range-1004997.html

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Saab 9-5 2.0t BioEthanol range
PRICES: from £21,651 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 218g/km
PERFORMANCE: ( running on E85) 0-60mph 8.5s / Max Speed 139mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 21.2mpg / (extra urban) 39.8mpg / (combined) 30mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, front side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4810/2040/1450mm

HOwever, when comparing to Prius on gasoline remember that corn based ethanol reduces Green House Gas emissions by 29% (Dry Mill) and 21% (Wet Mill) over gasoline. This is a per gallon basis of comparison which is valid with the BioPower as it uses turbo-charging to take advantage of the higher octane of Ethanol (104-105) over gasolline (93-92 for High Test). If you optimize the engine for the higher octane you get more horsepower and torque than you can with gasoline and as a result you get better performance (acceleration and mileage) than you can with gasoline.

Combining hybrid with FFV (ethanol 85 capability) is the best thing we got going today - thanks to SAAB. (note though Saab is owned by GM, GM has not bothered to offer turbo or super charging on any of their many FFVs. GM does have turbo and super charging on a number of vehicles running strictly on gas.)

[midnight armadillo]

3. That's an older engine

I think the 2.0L in the e85 9-5 is Saab's old one (orig from 79 or so, from Triumph), not the GM Ecotec like in the new 9-3.

[JohnWxy]

4. Saab 9-5 Bio -Power wond Best of What's new award in 2005.

http://www.gmeurope.com/news/2006/news_060110b.html


http://www.carpages.co.uk/saab/saab-95-10-11-05.asp

Maybe that's why it gets just as good as mileage (combined) as the hybrid. The turbo charging significantly improves engine performance. Not only acceleration but mileage (on E85). Ithought the hybrid was turbo charged too.