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2006 Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept

Keeping the Air Clean and Allowing You to Enjoy More of It

Heres a small break from all the hype of this years upcoming New York International Auto Show; it comes in the form of a concept car that wont be shown in the Big Apple. The vehicle in question comes from Sweden, and is probably the most radical concept car ever produced by Saab. Well, it wouldve been, if it werent for the recently unveiled Aero X. Anyway, what kind of car could contend with the inspired-by-jets look and form of the X? How about the worlds first 100-percent ethanol-powered, hybrid, all-wheel drive convertible. That sounds like a worthy title, and its exactly what the BioPower Hybrid Concept serves up.

As with the 9-5 BioPower concept

The stunning Aero X Concept may be the ultimate Saab concept, but the BioPower Hybrid is in close contention. (Photo: General Motors)

car that was displayed at the LA and Detroit motor shows, the 9-3 Convertible-based BioPower Hybrid concept is more of a prototype than a full-out concept. All the technologies featured could be applied to todays production car without too many difficulties, making it a true demonstrator for environmental and performance-boosting aids that are just around the corner. Aside from the enormous fan-like alloy wheels wearing

What could be more awesome than a super-powerful 100-percent ethanol hybrid all-wheel drive convertible? Not a whole lot, for sure. (Photo: General Motors)

run-flat tires and the decals that adorn the doors, theres little aesthetical difference between it and the regular run of the mill 9-3 Convertible.

With so many different drive-line systems crammed into one car, where exactly does one start with the BioPower Hybrid? Saab is quickly moving up the ranks as one of the worlds leaders in ethanol-powered vehicles, employing this alternative fuel as a power source in their past three concept cars; not to mention that it is available as a power-alternative

Ethanol-based flex-fuels have given new life to Saabs aged 9-5. Its Swedens most popular E85-powered car. (Photo: General Motors)

in the production 9-5 sedan and SportCombi wagon. In Saabs home country of Sweden, the 9-5 is currently the best-selling flex-fuel powered vehicle, with over 5,000 ethanol-powered 9-5s being delivered in the past nine months. Buyers of flex-fuel cars in Sweden benefit from reduced company car tax, free inner-city parking, and are exempt from Stockholms congestion charge (road toll).

The BioPower Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter high-pressure turbocharged inline-four; the same basic engine you might find under the hood of the standard 9-3 Convertible, or the older 9-3 Aero. In non flex-fuel applications,

260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. And thats without any hybrid assist. (Photo: General Motors)

the engine normally produces 210 horsepower, controlled by Saabs brilliant Trionic engine management system, but here, running on 100-percent ethanol alcohol, the engine is able to make a whopping 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque; a 24 percent improvement in horsepower and a 25 percent improvement in torque over the standard engine. It must be said that all gains arent necessarily attributed to the new fuel; the engine also features GMs new direct injection fuel system (SIDI) which further helps to optimize the cars efficiency and boost power.
The electrical part of the BioPower Hybrid is just as advanced as any current gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle; it consists of a 42-volt integrated starter/generator, two high-torque

If the 9-5 BioPower already manages to escape taxes and congestion charges, imagine what adding hybrid technology will do. (Photo: General Motors)

electrical motors, one located between the five-speed Sentronic automatic gearbox and the flywheel, and the other between the rear wheels, all electrified by an impressively small lithium ion battery pack. The battery pack is out of sight and out of mind from the driver; it doesnt consume any interior or trunk space, as its positioned beneath the trunks floor, where the spare tire is normally located. The starter/generator provides instantaneous and silent start-ups, and it also takes care of the idle-stop system, which automatically shuts the gasoline engine off when the car stops, and turns it back the instant the brake pedal is released.

With a more powerful gasoline engine, and an electrical boost worth 6.7-horsepower and 89 lb-ft of torque, this one for the front wheels, and a 51-horsepower

Front wheel drive, all wheel drive, or rear wheel drive. Go figure. (Photo: General Motors)

and 490 lb-ft (!) of torque electric motor pushing the rear wheels, you had better believe it that the BioPower is one quick vehicle. Saab claims it can hit 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds, besting the 8.7 second time of the non-BioPower 9-3 Convertible (which nevertheless seems slow for a car with almost 500 lb-ft of torque at its rear wheels - Ed.). Even more impressive is the 50 to 75 mph acceleration, which takes a mere 5.5 seconds. Unlike most Saabs, the BioPower Hybrid is all-wheel drive; when the traction control detects wheel-spin, the rear wheels instantly switch on, thrusting the car forward.

But enough about performance; hybrids are supposed to be green, especially those touting an ethanol-fueled engine. The BioPower Hybrid is a full hybrid, which can function on pure electricity, as opposed to a constant mix of gasoline and electric, like GMs Tahoe/Yukon and VUE Green Line hybrids. Zero Mode, where

With the aid of electric motor, the BioPOwer Hybrid has more torque than the twin-turbo E100 Saab Aero X Concept. (Photo: General Motors)

the car runs solely off its electrical power supply can be selected by driver, forcing the car to function without the aid of the gasoline motor, effectively turning the 9-3 into a rear-wheel drive zero consumption, zero emission car. Yes, thats right, a rear wheel drive Saab. Of course, there are limitations on the mode - it lasts on average between 6 to 12 miles, and only at speeds under 30 mph. If exceeded, or the charge on the battery drops to a low level, the car automatically starts the internal combustion engine to replenish the supplies. This operation is essentially the same as Toyotas hybrids, as well as Fords Escape Hybrid and Hondas new Civic Hybrid.

Like most modern luxury-minded hybrids, many of the 9-3s ancillary systems, such as the stereo, air conditioner and power steering are supplied the necessary energy directly from the battery, allowing the car to shut off when idling, saving gas and reducing emissions. While Saab hasnt given any direct figures as to how much in the way of

When Zero Mode is active, those two chrome-plated tail pipes wont be emitting anything whatsoever. (Photo: General Motors)

savings one might get by opting for this performance ethanol hybrid car, the brand commented on how its able to travel upwards of 500 milies on a single 16.4-gallon tank of ethanol fuel, which works out to achieving roughly 30 mpg. But, the BioPower Hybrid is also more environmentally sound than the average gasoline-electric hybrid; when burned, ethanol is said to be completely carbon neutral, emitting no more CO₂ gas than what was taken in by the crops used for fuel. Thats equal to an 80-percent drop overall.

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