NEVS presents Saab 9-3 EV prototype
20 August 2014
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| Under the hood. Click to enlarge. |
National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), the company working to resurrect the Saab brand, presented the Saab 9-3 Electric Vehicle as designed and produced as part of a prototype series in Trollhättan. NEVS halted production of the conventional Saab 9-3 Aero in May as it struggles to sort out its financing. (Earlier post.)
The EV prototype is a modified Saab 9-3 Aero Sedan in which the batteries are placed under the floor, keeping the full interior space as well as the luggage compartment intact. The car is equipped with lithium-ion batteries from Beijing National Battery Technology, a company within the Chinese group of green tech companies owned by Kai Johan Jiang’s company National Modern Energy Holdings Ltd.
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The Saab 9-3’s driving-experience is preserved in the EV, helped by its low center of gravity and a 50/50 weight distribution.
We are happy to present the result of NEVS engineering into a real Saab EV product. The Saab cars’ well-known performance and safety is maintained and we foresee a very good product for the market. When we developed the Saab 9-3 Aero Sedan Model Year 14, we focused on enhancing the driving experience, safety and quality. And the starting point for our development of the Electric Vehicle project was to maintain all the good attributes and characteristics.
—Stig Nodin, Vice President Engineering and Product Development
In this phase of the development the performance of the prototype EVs is limited to:
- A range of approximately 200 km (124 miles)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 10 seconds
- Maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph)
- Power of 100 kW
NEVS is building the prototypes for multiple reasons, including enhancing its understanding of EVs; to serve as a reference for specification of coming production model(s); to be used as a test bench for technical development; and to verify the manufacturing setup.
NEVS is planning for initial sales in Sweden and China, with subsequent expansion to other markets.
200M raneg and even the 120KM/h speed limit in all EV mode could be OK, but No range extender is a deal braker here, required so you can also go on vacation with this car, and pass 130KM/h motorway speeds.
Posted by: Patrick Free | 20 August 2014 at 11:23 AM
"Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 10 seconds
Maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph)"
Ok is this a joke? You won't win many hearts and minds with these kind of specs. I presume the new Saab focuses on the same premium market segment as before, accompanied by a premium price tag.
200 km range is probably NEDC, giving a 100-120 km real world range.
Posted by: Arne | 21 August 2014 at 06:30 AM
I once owned a 1976 Saab 99 and quite enjoyed it. Back then there were few cars with front wheel drive or fuel injection.
There is probably a niche for a company like Saab with a bit of brand recognition to move into the market and focus on innovative EV technologies but this seems to be a bit of a sad effort that generates little excitement.
Posted by: Calgarygary | 21 August 2014 at 10:52 AM
Double the power, double the energy, for starters. 2010 called, it wants its state of the art EV back.
Posted by: Otis | 21 August 2014 at 10:57 AM
why is there an air-filter under the hood
Posted by: dursun | 23 August 2014 at 02:31 PM
air filter? Perhaps for exporting to China.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 23 August 2014 at 09:57 PM