Autoblog

Click to see how the 2nd-gen Hybrid system fares against other engines

GM Chairman Rick Wagoner is on hand at the Geneva Motor Show today, and one of his big talking points is the production announcement of a second generation GM Hybrid system. For those without a guide book, that's GM's branding for its mild hybrid system as opposed to the high-end Two-Mode system that's used in its full-size trucks and SUV hybrids. The current version of the system is available on the Saturn Aura and Vue and the Chevy Malibu.

In Geneva, Wagoner is announcing that the second generation of the GM Hybrid system will go into production in 2010. The basic layout of the system is unchanged, but the system has been substantially upgraded. The 36V nickel metal hydride battery gets replaced with a smaller, lighter and more powerful lithium-ion battery. The motor/generator is still driven/drives through a belt and fits in roughly the same package size. The motor/generator is now much more powerful, which means that the system can now be used with a much wider variety of vehicles and engines. During a pre-show briefing, GM said the volumes with the new system are expected to quickly ramp up to 100,000 units annually and beyond. This system is designed to be compatible with gas, flex-fuel and diesel engines, and thus will be used globally including in Europe. Interestingly, this system is also easily adaptable to rear-wheel-drive applications and can provide a 15-20% improvement in fuel efficiency. For more details, head over to AutoblogGreen because explaining this stuff is what they do.


[Source: General Motors, via AutoblogGreen]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Saab 9-X BioHybrid

Saab is showing off its latest addition at the Geneva Motor Show today by adding a smaller model at the entry point to its lineup. The new Saab 9-X BioHybrid is strictly a concept at this stage, but it will almost certainly pop up in Saab showrooms before long. The 9-X is built on General Motors' next generation Global Compact Car platform (a.k.a. Delta). That's the platform that underpins cars like the Opel Astra, Chevy Cobalt and, in the future, the Chevy Volt. Given the size, the 9-X will probably become the 9-1 when it hits the streets.

Like other recent Saab concepts, this one carries forth much of the same design language, particularly in the nose and fenders. In profile, it's apparent that the windshield has a much more pronounced wraparound than recent production Saabs or the 9-4X crossover. The roofline has a distinct downward slope toward the back of the car, and the concept features active aerodynamics that help this compact hatchback from the wind. Above 70 km/h, for instance, a spoiler that wraps over the rear pillar and a diffuser below the back bumper extend to increase the effective length of the body and reduce drag. Underhood, the 9-X has a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder that, in typical Saab fashion, is optimized for running on ethanol and earns an output of 200 hp when doing so. Fuel efficiency is enhanced by a next generation GM Hybrid system, which we'll here more about in Geneva, as well. The battery charging capability is further enhanced by a solar panel mounted on the roof. Overall, the 9-X/1 could be a capable competitor to the MINI in the premium compact segment that's fiercely competitive in Europe, but has yet to heat up in the U.S.


[Source: Saab]