Saab engine offers mixed blessings

Making its world premiere at the recent Stockholm motor show, Saab's BioPower Hybrid Concept is said to deliver zero fossil CO

emissions, enhanced performance and a range of energy-saving features. It does this by combining the use of pure bioethanol fuel and electric power generation for the first time.

Powered by its 260bhp (191kW) two-litre turbo BioPower engine and 53kW electric motors, the concept car — the latest in Saab's 9-3 range — can briefly generate torque values three times greater than its petrol-only equivalent.

Its modular hybrid system features a maintenance-free, 300V battery bank designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, a 38kW rear-mounted electric motor, a 15kW integrated starter generator and all-wheel-drive with electric power transmission to the rear wheels.

The all-aluminium BioPower engine is modified to run on pure E100 bioethanol fuel and operates in tandem with the electrical power system. This offers fuel-saving stop/start functionality, torque-boosting electric power assistance on demand, an electric-only 'zero mode' for city driving and regenerative braking.