Saab debuts world's first dino-free hybrid/first hybrid convertible
At the Stockholm Motor Show Thursday, Saab unveiled its new BioPower Hybrid 9-3 convertible concept. The car is
touted by Saab as the world's first fossil fuel-free hybrid, and the world's first hybrid drop-top.
The car
combines a 260 hp, 2-liter turbo BioPower engine capable of running on pure (E100) ethanol fuel driving the front
wheels with dual electric motors driving the front and rear wheels. Saab's new SIDI direct injection system allows the
switch from blended ethanol/gasoline to pure ethanol, even in cold weather.
With both systems engaged, the
9-3 hybrid can accelerate to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. At the other end of the spectrum, the car will run electric-only
in "Zero Mode," at speeds up to 50 km/h, although only for 10-20 km. The combustion engine automatically
kicks in if speeds increase or the batteries run down.
(Full Saab press release after the
jump)
[Source: Saab]
Saab Press Release:
World's first fossil fuel-free Hybrid vehicle
We are proud to present an innovative hybrid concept based on pure bioethanol. The Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept is a showcase of new technology that you may see in future Saab cars. Everything is neatly packed into a Saab 9-3 Convertible.
The hybrid concept includes a further development of our existing BioPower technology. By using 100% bioethanol the engine can produce even more power. At the same time fossil fuel emission is reduced to zero.
By coupling the turbo-charged engine with a battery-charged full hybrid drive system the car can deliver stunning performance and mileage.
The Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept is the world’s first hybrid vehicle without fossil fuel emission. And the world’s first hybrid soft-top.
Zero Mode. No consumption. No emission.
Press the Zero Mode button and you can drive fully electric at speeds below 50 km/h. The powerful batteries have capacity enough for you to drive 10–20 km without using the combustion engine.
Zero Mode is just perfect for commuting, or in congested driving conditions at lower speed. The car automatically turns to normal hybrid drive when you raise speed over 50 km/h, when you need powerful acceleration, or if the battery charge should run low.
The combustion engine is smoothly engaged. And in normal hybrid mode the car switches automatically between turbocharged bioethanol power, battery charged power, or a mix of both depending on your driving. When you stop at a red light the engine turns off. Then kick down the accelerator and three motors are engaged to catapult you off the spot.
Next generation BioPower – even more power without a drop of petrol.
The Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept also includes a natural step in the further development of BioPower technology. Such as the SIDI – a new direct injection system designed so the engine will start and run perfectly without any mix of petrol, even in extreme cold.
The turbocharging is tuned to take further advantage of the higher octane rating of pure bioethanol. So, the engine can produce 260 bhp and a huge 375 Nm torque.
Acceleration is boosted by the two electric motors of the hybrid system. At low speed and take-off they can briefly add a huge instant 785 Nm of torque. Helping to catapult you from zero to 100 in 6.9 seconds with automatic transmission.
Faster than most diesel or petrol-driven cars, but with zero fossil fuel emission.
Electric four-wheel-drive.
During acceleration and driving in low grip conditions traction and stability are dynamically enhanced by the electric rear-wheel-drive. The hybrid system interacts with the electronic stability system to distribute power to the wheels with best grip. Engagement of the four-wheel-drive is seamless, instant and powerful thanks to the digitally controlled instant torque response of the electric motors. If the front wheels tend to spin when you start on an icy hill, up to 665 Nm can be applied to the rear wheels at very low revs, helping to avoid slip. Compared to conventional four-wheel-drive systems it has less moving parts and very low frictional losses, something that both improves performance and saves fuel.
Rocket science? No, just a natural development.
The Saab 9-3 BioPower Hybrid Concept is just as easy to drive as its petrol or diesel powered siblings. Energy use and power distribution is fully automatic. The only visible differences from a conventional car are a few instruments and the Zero Mode switch. Despite its compact design, the Saab Biopower Hybrid is a full hybrid vehicle, which means it has the capacity to be driven entirely on the stored electricity.
1. Saab BioPower 2.0 Turbo – combustion engine optimised to run on pure bioethanol (E100), resulting in zero fossil fuel emission.
2. Integrated starter/generator (ISG) – built into the flywheel, between the engine and transmission. Contributes with an additional 15 kW (20 bhp) and up to 120 Nm of torque
3. Rear Drive Unit (RDU) – transmission differential with an integrated 38 kW (52 bhp) electric motor/alternator. Deliver up to 665 Nm of torque briefly at lower speeds to boost take-off performance.
4. Battery Management System (BMS) – Electronic Control Unit with software for battery supervision.
5. 42 V battery – powers the front electric motor (ISG).
6. 300 V battery – powers the Rear Drive Unit. Compact, high-capacity lithium-ion battery.
7. Electronic Control Unit – for the Rear Drive Unit (RDU).
8. Zero Mode button – switch between Hybrid and Zero Mode. Driving range in fully electric Zero Mode is 10–20 km depending on driving conditions.
9. Electronic Control Unit – for the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG).
A performance Hybrid without compromise.
The innovative hybrid system is so compact that it can be completely concealed even in a convertible. The Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept car is just as roomy as any other Saab 9-3 Convertible. Giving you 352 litres of luggage volume (VDA). The performance is exhilarating, the efficiency is impressive and above all – it is 100% fossil free!
Engine
Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with Spark Ignited Fuel Injection (SIDI), continuously variable inlet/outlet cam phasers.Displacement 1.998 dm3.Maximum output 191 kW (260 bhp) at 5200 r/min.Peak torque 375 Nm at 1900–5000 r/min.
Hybrid drive
Front (ISG) motor/alternator maximum output 15 kW, maximum intermittent torque 120 Nm (continuous 65 Nm).Rear RDU motor/alternator maximum output 38 kW, maximum intermittent torque 665 Nm (continuous 605 Nm).
Transmission
Sentronic 5-speed automatic with manual shift possibility. Electric four-wheel-drive, continuously variable and interacting with the cars electronic stability system.
Performance
Top speed 250 km/h (electronically limited).Acceleration 0–100 km/h 6.9 seconds. Overtaking 80–120 km/h 5.5 seconds.
Fuel tank capacity
62 litres.
Luggage capacity
Volume according to VDA standard 352 litres; volume with the top down 235 Litres.
[Source: Saab]
World's first fossil fuel-free Hybrid vehicle
We are proud to present an innovative hybrid concept based on pure bioethanol. The Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept is a showcase of new technology that you may see in future Saab cars. Everything is neatly packed into a Saab 9-3 Convertible.
The hybrid concept includes a further development of our existing BioPower technology. By using 100% bioethanol the engine can produce even more power. At the same time fossil fuel emission is reduced to zero.
By coupling the turbo-charged engine with a battery-charged full hybrid drive system the car can deliver stunning performance and mileage.
The Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept is the world’s first hybrid vehicle without fossil fuel emission. And the world’s first hybrid soft-top.
Zero Mode. No consumption. No emission.
Press the Zero Mode button and you can drive fully electric at speeds below 50 km/h. The powerful batteries have capacity enough for you to drive 10–20 km without using the combustion engine.
Zero Mode is just perfect for commuting, or in congested driving conditions at lower speed. The car automatically turns to normal hybrid drive when you raise speed over 50 km/h, when you need powerful acceleration, or if the battery charge should run low.
The combustion engine is smoothly engaged. And in normal hybrid mode the car switches automatically between turbocharged bioethanol power, battery charged power, or a mix of both depending on your driving. When you stop at a red light the engine turns off. Then kick down the accelerator and three motors are engaged to catapult you off the spot.
Next generation BioPower – even more power without a drop of petrol.
The Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept also includes a natural step in the further development of BioPower technology. Such as the SIDI – a new direct injection system designed so the engine will start and run perfectly without any mix of petrol, even in extreme cold.
The turbocharging is tuned to take further advantage of the higher octane rating of pure bioethanol. So, the engine can produce 260 bhp and a huge 375 Nm torque.
Acceleration is boosted by the two electric motors of the hybrid system. At low speed and take-off they can briefly add a huge instant 785 Nm of torque. Helping to catapult you from zero to 100 in 6.9 seconds with automatic transmission.
Faster than most diesel or petrol-driven cars, but with zero fossil fuel emission.
Electric four-wheel-drive.
During acceleration and driving in low grip conditions traction and stability are dynamically enhanced by the electric rear-wheel-drive. The hybrid system interacts with the electronic stability system to distribute power to the wheels with best grip. Engagement of the four-wheel-drive is seamless, instant and powerful thanks to the digitally controlled instant torque response of the electric motors. If the front wheels tend to spin when you start on an icy hill, up to 665 Nm can be applied to the rear wheels at very low revs, helping to avoid slip. Compared to conventional four-wheel-drive systems it has less moving parts and very low frictional losses, something that both improves performance and saves fuel.
Rocket science? No, just a natural development.
The Saab 9-3 BioPower Hybrid Concept is just as easy to drive as its petrol or diesel powered siblings. Energy use and power distribution is fully automatic. The only visible differences from a conventional car are a few instruments and the Zero Mode switch. Despite its compact design, the Saab Biopower Hybrid is a full hybrid vehicle, which means it has the capacity to be driven entirely on the stored electricity.
1. Saab BioPower 2.0 Turbo – combustion engine optimised to run on pure bioethanol (E100), resulting in zero fossil fuel emission.
2. Integrated starter/generator (ISG) – built into the flywheel, between the engine and transmission. Contributes with an additional 15 kW (20 bhp) and up to 120 Nm of torque
3. Rear Drive Unit (RDU) – transmission differential with an integrated 38 kW (52 bhp) electric motor/alternator. Deliver up to 665 Nm of torque briefly at lower speeds to boost take-off performance.
4. Battery Management System (BMS) – Electronic Control Unit with software for battery supervision.
5. 42 V battery – powers the front electric motor (ISG).
6. 300 V battery – powers the Rear Drive Unit. Compact, high-capacity lithium-ion battery.
7. Electronic Control Unit – for the Rear Drive Unit (RDU).
8. Zero Mode button – switch between Hybrid and Zero Mode. Driving range in fully electric Zero Mode is 10–20 km depending on driving conditions.
9. Electronic Control Unit – for the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG).
A performance Hybrid without compromise.
The innovative hybrid system is so compact that it can be completely concealed even in a convertible. The Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept car is just as roomy as any other Saab 9-3 Convertible. Giving you 352 litres of luggage volume (VDA). The performance is exhilarating, the efficiency is impressive and above all – it is 100% fossil free!
Engine
Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with Spark Ignited Fuel Injection (SIDI), continuously variable inlet/outlet cam phasers.Displacement 1.998 dm3.Maximum output 191 kW (260 bhp) at 5200 r/min.Peak torque 375 Nm at 1900–5000 r/min.
Hybrid drive
Front (ISG) motor/alternator maximum output 15 kW, maximum intermittent torque 120 Nm (continuous 65 Nm).Rear RDU motor/alternator maximum output 38 kW, maximum intermittent torque 665 Nm (continuous 605 Nm).
Transmission
Sentronic 5-speed automatic with manual shift possibility. Electric four-wheel-drive, continuously variable and interacting with the cars electronic stability system.
Performance
Top speed 250 km/h (electronically limited).Acceleration 0–100 km/h 6.9 seconds. Overtaking 80–120 km/h 5.5 seconds.
Fuel tank capacity
62 litres.
Luggage capacity
Volume according to VDA standard 352 litres; volume with the top down 235 Litres.
[Source: Saab]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mavkato 8:18AM (3/31/2006)
does oil used for lubrication or used to make plastic count as dinosaur juice?
Reply
Steve 8:29AM (3/31/2006)
Is it written in the automotive bylaws somewhere that all hybrid cars must have stupid looking wheels?
Reply
Gareth 8:41AM (3/31/2006)
For a claim of impressive efficiency there's no mpg or l/100km figures given.(Or have I missed them?)
I do like the repeated use of the term "take-off" though.
Reply
Phil L. 8:43AM (3/31/2006)
Steve -
Regarding wheels: Yes. Didn't you get the memo?
Now the rest of the car...
The "dino-free" label seems to be a bit optimistic. As I understand it, pure ethanol production still requires some outside energy (i.e., making it consumes more than you get out of it), so dead fossils (diesel in the farm field? coal for power at the refinery?) still likely play a role.
That said, kudos to Saab for pushing the envelope. The 10-20 km battery-only capability means my short work commute (5 miles) could be done in near silence - with the top down! Add a plug-in recharge kit like those popular with the Prius crowd, and I'd only need the engine for longer trips. Hmmm.....
Reply
Gil 8:44AM (3/31/2006)
Sexy. I'd actually buy that if it were reasonably priced. No petrol, hybrid and damn powerfull!
mavkato: lubricating oil can be 100% synthetic (your car oil probably is) and plastic can be created from vegetal fiber or even better slap in carbon fiber ;)
Reply
doug delano 9:03AM (3/31/2006)
WAY COOL ! ! CAN IT BE DOCUMENTED THAT THIS COMPANY HAS TIES WITH GM ? ? ?
Reply
Carlos 9:13AM (3/31/2006)
Steve, any car focusing on mileage (or aerodynamics, like the Lexus SC) will have wheels with few open spaces. Disks reduce the coefficient of drag, open wheels increase it. You lose brake cooling, but hybrids help out with that anyway.
Yeah I agree they're ugly too.
Reply
SN 9:16AM (3/31/2006)
I really like the wheels. How many manufacturers actually have a purpose to their wheel design? For those that care, these were taken of the recent Award-winning Saab Aero X concept car. Their are a nod to their aviation heritage resembling jet turbines. I am surprised by the recent barrage of Saab announcements considering the General's Financial position.
SN
Reply
Chris 9:42AM (3/31/2006)
First. I love the title.
Second. People turn into fossil fuels too, why aren't we recycling people?
Third. Yes the wheels are ugly, but they do have a resemblence to the turbine blades of an aircraft engine. Isn't this car born from jets? Now if we can just get them to work on the cockpit.
Reply
Jeff the Baptist 10:06AM (3/31/2006)
"Second. People turn into fossil fuels too, why aren't we recycling people?"
Soylent Gasoline is people! It's people!!!
Reply
NEBTEK2002 10:26AM (3/31/2006)
More to the point, why not recycle people's wastes?
Composting sewage and garbage could yield methane, which could then be compressed and used directly as motor fuel; or piped to ethanol plants in order to replace oil or natural gas used in plant operations.
Feed lot and other food-animal confinement area wastes could also be compsted to yield both methane and "petro free" fertilizer.
Currently, there are plans here in Nebraska for an ethanol/methane digester/ feedlot plant where animal wastes would power the ethanol plant and the mash left over from the ethanol plant fed to the cattle to yield more methane.
Excess methane not needed for plant operations would go into a nearby town's natural gas system.
It's getting to the point that wastes are too valuable to throw away/flush/bury.
Reply
Oolon Coluphid 10:59AM (3/31/2006)
Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie! That's a nice looking car!
Reply
Sebastian 2:18PM (3/31/2006)
I have always felt that the "typical" saab buyer was into the environment. This vehicle seems to be a signal of a path that GM should take with Saab. Theres no reason why Saab can't lead GM's attack on hybrid technology. I know GM already has a few hybrid vehicles, but why not make all saab's available as hybrids or biopowered........ Oh yea and bring back the damn hatchback!!!!
Reply
m 6:28PM (3/31/2006)
great call SN, totally agree
Reply
mmt 1:59AM (4/01/2006)
Really cool vehicle, now can somebody tell them to work on reliability before they go into production. Why must GM turn all they produce into unreliable crap? Why not start with the European models and make something with good reliability, something that will run for 200 or 300,000 miles without falling apart/costing a fortune/turning into junk?
Reply
jux 5:33PM (4/03/2006)
I don't know why you all don't like the wheels! I think they're just great. And as well the E100 or at the moment more realistic the E85 concept and if they get a hybrid out of it even better, I promise, I'll be happy to buy one.
If Saab continues this way, I forecast a big success. Just don't fall asleep like GM.
Reply
Steve the Catholic 6:30AM (4/05/2006)
Jeff the Babptist:
I'm sorry to say that I am old enough to get that joke.
ROFMAO!
By the way, what's the MPG?
...GO HEV!
Reply
Don 7:27AM (4/05/2006)
MMT I personaly have 3 GM vehicals with over 200k on them with nothing but regular maintance. I also know of many more of the same. Its all in how you take care of them.
Reply
derek 9:35AM (4/05/2006)
i have to say this is a sweet car but h ow much does it cost and whats its mph?
Reply
Mike 9:43AM (4/05/2006)
HMM.. WONT SELL A LICK HERE IN THE US!!! I hate to say it.. but arent the standard Saab convertibles already into the $40's who in their right mind would spend nearly 50k for this car? I could buy a Prius AND a G6 Hardtop convertible for that price!
Now if GM and Saab could keep their costs in line.. then I would love to see it here in the US! I recently got rid of a 350z (avgd 18mpg)for the SOLE reason of getting tired of sending my money overseas for fuel and bought a sentra as my daily commuter car (31 mpg) that means that I increased my fuel economy by 72% if everyone else did the same (all these SUV people that drive 1 person) we'd be OK!!!
Reply