Saab 9-3: New Line-up Adds 'Green Machine'

Motoring Channel Staff - 5/November/2007

Sydney, Australia — The rate of change in modern motoring is often so slow that it's a wonder we even have hybrid cars on the road. But this week marks a big change for the Australian motoring landscape as the first local ethanol cars from Saab now have E85 fuel fill up with.

One of the biggest obstacles for launching new fuel types on the market is infrastructure, and Saab is very happy that United Petroleum will be supporting and selling the E85 fuel at its bowsers.

The new Swedish-made ethanol powered premium cars will cost only $1,000 more than the standard petrol models and the 2.0-litre turbo BioPower engines have high power levels, outputting an impressive 147kW of power and 300Nm of torque.

The new Saab 9-3 BioPower vehicles can be filled with E85 fuel, which is 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. It will also run on 100% petrol or any other blend of ethanol under 85% so if there's no E85 fuel around the only thing that will change is your carbon footprint.

In practice the new 2.0-litre turbo engine is claimed to reduce C02 emissions by up to 80%. The most efficient small diesel engines in Australia emit around 120-130 grams of fossil CO2 per kilometre, while the new 9-3 BioPower emits just 40 grams of fossil CO2 per kilometre.

C02 emissions are very low when filling with E85 fuel, but the Saab 9-3 BioPower models have an overall fuel consumption figure similar to normal cars at around 10L/100km.

"With the launch of BioPower, Saab set out to break the chicken and egg cycle that prevented Australian drivers from choosing a renewable fuel alternative," said the director of GM Premium Brands, Parveen Batish.

"Saab took the first leap and United Petroleum is taking the same bold leadership position with its commitment to make E85 commercially available to flex-fuel car drivers," said Mr Batish, further suggesting that United Petroleum's move will attract other E85 cars to the Australia, such as those built by Volvo and others.

"This is a big investment by United Petroleum. We think with this support BioPower will be a success in Australia and will stimulate other manufacturers to bring their flex-fuel vehicles to this country as well. This is the tip of the iceberg," espoused Mr Batish.

The Saab 9-3 range now comprises turbocharged petrol, diesel, and bioethanol models, and with the brand-new Saab Turbo X flagship model topping the range, Saab looks set to kick off a brand new era in the Australian market.

"With a bioethanol model, a powerful and economical diesel and a carbon off-set through Greenfleet for every new car we sell, the Saab 9-3 range really does deliver on our promise of performance with responsibility," added Mr Batish.

Last month Saab Australia was the first car maker in this country to produce a renewable, bioethanol-powered car for the Australian market and now three more E85 flex-fuel vehicles have been launched following United Petroleum's decision to start stocking the E85 fuel. Saab says its new 9-3 BioPower will be available in Sport Sedan, SportCombi (wagon) and the iconic Saab Convertible. 

All BioPower models are on sale now says Saab, powered by 2.0-litre (147kW/300Nm) engines, and are priced at $1,000 over their equivalent petrol models. The ethanol-powered models' pricing is as follows:

Saab 9-3 Sedan
Linear 2.0t BioPower: $44,400 (auto $46,900)
Vector 2.0t BioPower: $50,900 (auto $53,400)

Saab 9-3 SportCombi
Linear 2.0t BioPower: $46,900 (auto $49,400)
Vector 2.0t BioPower: $53,400 (auto $55,900)

Saab 9-3 Convertible
Linear 2.0t BioPower: $66,500 (auto $69,000)
Vector 2.0t BioPower: $70,600 (auto $73,100)

According to Saab, the BioPower models are leading Europe's emerging flex-fuel segment, and the 9-5 BioPower is the best selling alternate fuel vehicle in Sweden. 

As well as the new BioPower models, Saab has recently given the 9-3 range a subtle touch up, inspired by Saab's Aero X concept car, "reinforcing the range's sporty appeal and performance focus" says the Swedish car maker.

The body work changes are mainly at the front of the car (new front apron/bumper mouldings, new head and brake light assemblies, new doors and handles for the Sport Sedan and SportCombi, and flared side skirt extensions are now standard across the range), providing the new 9-3 range with a "clearer Saab identity and a bolder, more assertive stance" says the company.

The new 9-3 front end features a more prominent grille design matched by an all-new headlamp units units that according to Saab "incorporate a thin ‘eyebrow’ lighting zone designed as a brand specific ‘signature’ feature".

Viewed from the rear, the new 9-3 Sport Sedan and Convertible models get smoked white light clusters to match the SportCombi's style. Furthermore, Saab has taken the step of removing all the external rubbing strips from the doors and bumpers which "contributes to a cleaner and more cohesive overall appearance".

In addition to the low emission BioPower models, Saab says that the new 9-3 range will also introduce all-wheel drive and new performance diesel models in 2008.

From February '08, the TTiD will be introduced. It's an innovative 132kW, two-stage 1.9-litre performance diesel variant that will joined by the (very) limited edition Turbo X in June 2008, Saab's first all-wheel drive performance car. For detailed information on Saab's new hero car which is generating huge hype in Europe, click here.

The new TTiD (twin turbo injected diesel) due in Australia early next year is new 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine design that feature a unique two-stage turbocharging system, which Saab is claiming as a world first in the premium car segment.

The 1.9-litre diesel engine bangs out 132kW of power and 400Nm torque, yet offers fuel economy on par with a compact car: 5.9L/100km.

Saab says the two-stage turbocharger housing is integrated with the exhaust manifold and contains two turbochargers of different sizes. The pair of turbine/compressor wheels are sequentially mounted and each is able to by-pass the input and output feeds of the other, while also being able to operate in tandem, allowing for big torque outputs. At this stage Saab will only offer the new TTiD in Aero specification when it arrives in 2008.

Related Links:
- Saab 9-5 BioPower (2008)
- Saab 9-3 (2008)
- Saab 9-3 SportCombi (2008)
- Saab 9-3 Aero (Road Test)
- Saab 9-5 Linear (Road Test)
- Saab 9-5 (2006)