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GM Introduces Saab 9-X E-85 Optimized BioHybrid Concept at Geneva Motor Show
3 March 2008
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| The Saab 9-X BioHybrid. |
GM unveiled its Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle combines a downsized 1.4-liter, E85-optimized 200 hp BioPower turbo engine with the next-generation of the GM Hybrid System (the Belt Alterantor Starter system applied in the non-two-mode hybrid vehicles) and a six-speed manual gearbox with an automatic clutch and steering wheel controls.
The turbocharged 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine generates 200 hp (147 kW) on E85 and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque, as well as reducing CO2 emissions compared to gasoline. Projected fuel consumption when running on gasoline over the combined cycle is 4.9 L/100 km (48 mpg US) and 117 g CO2/km. When running on E85, CO2 emissions are projected to be lower at 105 g/km, with estimated fuel consumption of 6.4 L/100 km (37 mpg US).
The engine uses a higher compression ratio (10.2:1) and turbo boost pressure (up to 1.6 bar) than would be possible with a gasoline-only engine, enabled by the higher octane rating (104 RON) of E85 than pump gasoline (95 RON). The higher octane rating makes the E85 fuel more resistant to harmful pre-detonation as the fuel/air mixture is compressed in the cylinder. The torque of 280 Nm is available all the way from just 1,750 to 5,000 rpm.
While optimized for E85, the engine retains a flex-fuel capability and will still run on gasoline, although it will not produce as much power. The engine management system is able to adjust the ignition timing and boost pressure to ensure there is no pre-detonation due to the higher compression ratio. The engine also uses direct injection (DI), with centrally-located fuel injectors, and continuously variable valve timing (VVT) on both the inlet and exhaust sides.
(GM and Ricardo are investigating the use of cooled EGR, along with turbo downsizing, direct injection (SIDI, spark ignition direct injection), and cam phasing to optimize fuel economy and minimize emissions operating on E85 fuel. Use of VVT with cam phasing can deliver an effective variable compression ratio to further optimize the properties of the different fuels in a flex-fuel vehicle. GM presented an update on that activity at the DOE EERE OVT annual merit review meting last week in Washington, D.C.)
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are further reduced by the addition of the next-generation GM Hybrid system, which features a lithium-ion battery and a significantly higher power capability to capture more energy and more electric boost than the current GM Hybrid system. An electric motor/generator, belt-driven from the engine’s crankshaft, replaces the conventional alternator. Electrical power is delivered and stored by a compact lithium-ion battery pack, located under the rear cargo floor.
The electric motor complements the torque of the boosted engine. At take-off from rest and during overtaking manoeuvres, the electric motor adds accelerative power. It is also used to re-start the engine, supporting the automatic fuel-saving function whenever the car is stationary. To further improve efficiency, the hybrid system enables a longer fuel cut-off during deceleration and braking.
The electric motor also acts as a generator. It can be powered by the engine to charge the battery pack and support vehicle electrical loads, or it can be used in regenerative braking.
The hybrid system adds accelerative power and, in effect, improves throttle response. This allows further rightsizing of the engine with additional fuel consumption benefits. Engine rightsizing and hybridization complement each other, the combined benefit being greater than that of the individual technologies, according to GM.
The 9-X BioHybrid also features a solar panel in the glass roof takes to add charge to the hybrid battery pack while the vehicle is parked and also when it is being driven.
The 9-X BioHybrid also explores the potential for using active aerodynamics to reduce drag and fuel consumption at cruising speeds. Above 70 kph (43 mph), the upper and lower bodywork is reshaped as the roof spoiler automatically extends to further lengthen the roof line and an underbody diffuser is deployed from the bottom of the rear bumper.
March 3, 2008 in Ethanol, Hybrids | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)
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Comments
While not the breakthrough of breakthroughs, 48 mpg on a mild hybrid system is pretty impressive. IMO, GM should immediatly, once a viable lithium-ion battery becomes available, make a small-car model that exclusively uses the belt-alternator system, with or without being E85 capable, that can under-price any full hybrids on the market. I would wait for the new batteries because it seems it would be a waste to go into full production when a vastly more capable battery system is (hopefully) a few years away.
Posted by: Dan A | Mar 3, 2008 12:42:45 PM
Imagine what you could do with NG at 120 octane. With a dual fueled turbo, you could get quite a bit a power from a smaller displacement engine. The emissions when running on NG would be less and we could use less oil. Make it biomethane and we could be CO2 neutral as well.
It might be easier to add CNG to fueling stations than to transport E85 and retrofit tanks and pumps at the stations. The upgrade of cars to NG dual fuel would be more costly than FFVs, but the extra cost could be paid back in fuel cost savings in a few years.
Posted by: sjc | Mar 3, 2008 1:10:21 PM
This must be our first look at GM's new small car 1.4L turbo motor (make that what GM's new 1.4L turbo motor COULD be...since it likely won't have direct injection nor a BAS micro-hybrid system).
Posted by: Patrick | Mar 3, 2008 2:35:35 PM
What we see is a very small car with a lot of new gimmicks, a high sticker price, and only 37 mpg US.
Considering that the Honda Insight hybrid car can get you 63 mpg, it doesn't look too good.
It should sell great in the USA where most people buy the worst mileage vehicles they can find.
Posted by: John Taylor | Mar 3, 2008 5:05:24 PM
RUN YOUR SAAB 9-XE HYBIRD ON WATER
WHAT'S THE PRICE OF WATER???
HYDROGEN IS COMPRESSED IN WATER AND CAN BE SET FREE WITH ELECTROLISIS RIGHT UNDER THE SAAB'S HOOD. HYDROGEN HAS MORE BTU'S THAN GASOLINE AND THEY HAVE DRIVEN OVER 100 MILES ON 2 ONCES OF WATER. WHY SCREW AROUND WITH THE OTHER INFERIOR FULES. AND WHEN YOU DRIVE USING WATER FOR FUEL EVERY DRINKING FOUNTAIN & HYDRANT IS A FILLING STATION
LEO WELLS
Posted by: LEO WELLS | Mar 3, 2008 5:26:19 PM
John Taylor--
It get's 48mpg on gasoline, which is pretty good if you ask me.
Posted by: Nick | Mar 3, 2008 5:29:15 PM
@ Administrator
LEO WELLS was funny the first time, but is getting tiring with the repeated posting of stupidity.
It is against your rules of being off topic, and of posting spam, and of being wild diversions, and of being insulting to anyone with even the slightest intelligence.
Can you do something?
Please?
Posted by: John Taylor | Mar 3, 2008 5:34:50 PM
Only steers and queers drive saabs.
Posted by: sky | Mar 3, 2008 5:43:56 PM
The flex fuel vehicles on the road right now are wasting E-85. 37 MPG for E-85 is where we need to be. Well...
It's a start.
Posted by: Erevesto | Mar 3, 2008 7:46:27 PM
John,
Considering that the Insight is a 2-seater, no longer produced (from having pitiful sales) and itself expensive for a slimmed down crx...wait you are making comparisons to a concept car that does not really exist? ...and complaining about it? seriously?
Posted by: | Mar 3, 2008 10:10:33 PM
Surely a progress for GM compared to the trash they produce to day, but still just a concept which will at best meet the performances (in term of fuel efficiency) of a today Prius 4 years from now... the next Prius will be probably close to 60 MPG at the time...
Posted by: Treehugger | Mar 3, 2008 10:13:51 PM
It's an impressive engine, but I'm disappointed by the E85 nonsense. Maybe, just maybe in 10 years there'll be enough ethanol to run all of America on E10. E85 ain't gonna happen, or even desirable.
Posted by: DS | Mar 3, 2008 11:25:15 PM
DS, is it possible you are exclusively reading editorials on E85 that are dated 2001 or earlier? Please don't respond with some reference to ethanol produced from corn. We all understand that the technology of 30 years ago is not going to save us.
Posted by: | Mar 4, 2008 5:21:55 AM
E85 is not green tech. US ethanol is 95% corn-derived. Because corn is so energy-intensive to grow and process into ethanol, it requires seven barrels of oil to produce eight barrels of corn ethanol, from field to processing plant, according to Cato Institute research. So factoring in production, ethanol curbs climate-changing vehicle emissions by a mere 12 percent over gasoline, according to a 2006 University of Minnesota study by Jason Hill and David Tilman. With blends like E85—85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gas—that emissions reduction plummets to 2 percent. And that’s only if the corn is grown on existing fields. Converting wildlife preserves to cropland to grow more ethanol would result in a net greenhouse gas release that would exacerbate global warming and negate any benefit according to Hill.
Source: http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/caq/articles/Summer2007cornethanol.cfm
Posted by: Curt Hicks | Mar 4, 2008 5:33:21 AM
I believe the specs of this vehicle is comparable to the MINI(brand) class of cars. Regardless of it's mileage, this is a small, premium-priced vehicle that normally do poorly in the US markets.
I think a likely reason that this concept debut in Geneva Motor Show is because European market is more receptive to this category of vehicles. I don't think US readers should hold much hope of seeing a production version here.
Posted by: Charles S | Mar 4, 2008 7:39:29 AM
Hi All,
Remember this car is primarily designed for the Skandinavian market. Where Ethanol is imported from Brasil. The Turbo is needed for the efficient flex fuel capability.
The goal is that with the E85 price, and E85 fuel efficiency of this car a resulting cheaper overall costs in Skandinavia than a gas only car. Most likely this car succeeds at that goal, in Sweeden.
Posted by: donee | Mar 4, 2008 10:07:36 AM
If they have lots of trees there, they can make ethanol from the forest products waste. Taking advantage of the increased octane in a small turbo engine sounds like a good way to go.
Posted by: sjc | Mar 4, 2008 10:17:56 AM
Well, DS did not retort as expected, but Curt Hicks nominated himself as the latest Master of the Obvious. Thank you for quoting such well-known facts.
Once again, NO ONE is suggesting we stick with the current techniques for producing ethanol. Making such blanket statements about E85 is completely nonsensical. As an energy carrier it still has much potential, as long as we find more efficient ways to produce it (and we have - see Coskata). Yes, there are some energy carriers that may be more efficient, but there are many that are less. E85 is a viable energy carrier over the intermediate term. We aren't just going to jump to hydrogen or pure EV overnight. If you think we are, you are delusional. We have some serious issues to address over the next 10-20 years, and we need some realistic people to address them.
Cellulose-based E85 is absolutely a part of the equation. It's not a pie-in-the sky thing - it is ready. The bottom line - we need E85 capable vehicles on the road to create a demand. The supply will follow - the economics are already there.
Posted by: | Mar 4, 2008 11:57:26 AM
I could see dual fuel FFVs with small turbo engines. Using ANG adsorption and low pressure tanks with home refueling and plug hybrid, most people would not need to fill up with E85 that often. We will need bridge technologies between now and where we are going. If that is fuel cells running onboard reformed biomethane, we have a ways to go yet.
Posted by: sjc | Mar 4, 2008 3:08:13 PM
Anon responding to Curt Hicks is correct. Cellulosic, Coskata, algal ethanol (downstream) are the forms that will be used to meet the 7.5 b gallons/year E85 mandated by law. That number has reportedly already been exceeded so, don't kid yourselves that E85 is not here through the transition to EV. Why not get on board and support ALL the alternatives to petro on the simple premise that anything BUT gasoline is better for all?
Posted by: | Mar 4, 2008 10:32:13 PM
We could probably get to E20 nation wide with cellulose ethanol. I would just as soon stop at E5 with corn. It has run its course and now it is time for the second act.
There are 90 million acres of corn production and you can get up to 10 tons per acre of biomass from the stalks and cobs. Even if you just used 10% of that biomass for fuel that would be 9 billion gallons of ethanol from 100 gallons per ton. This is just using 1/10th of what is already there.
Posted by: sjc | Mar 6, 2008 1:17:12 PM
