Saab BioPower Flex Fuel 9-5 on Sale in Sweden in 2005

3 December 2004

Saab will begin selling its new 9-5 BioPower flex-fuel turbo (earlier post) in Sweden next summer.

The 2.0-liter turbo engine delivers 180 hp (134 kW) of power and 280 Nm of torque (206 lb-ft) running on E85—a 30hp (22kW) lift in maximum power and 40 Nm more torque than its gasoline-powered equivalent. While fuel economy in city and mixed driving conditions is unlikely to show an improvement, Saab says, testing indicates that  the engine will deliver 15% better fuel economy at cruising speeds because of improved  combustion.

Key to the engine’s capabilities is the enhanced Trionic 8 engine management system that recalibrates and programs to accommodate the different timing characteristics and the fuel/air mixture requirements of ethanol.

The Saab-developed Trionic software is specifically geared to the needs of turbocharged engines and controls ignition timing, fuel injection, turbo boost pressure, air mass measurement and the throttle setting. The standard Trionic 8 system now also incorporates engine start-up and temperature control, as well as further developments for improving torque management and throttle response.

During the development of the BioPower engine, Saab engineers worked closely with their GM colleagues in Brazil where 100% ethanol (E100) is the dominant fuel on the market.

Prices will be announced shortly and are expected to show only a very small increase in comparison to standard models.

So again, the question, and the opportunity. Will GM market and deliver this model in the US?