2007 Saab BioPower Concept

2007 Saab BioPower concept

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A Saab concept vehicle powered without any fossil fuels has been introduced at the 2007 Detroit auto show.

The BioPower Hybrid Concept, Saab says, takes a conventional 9-3 Convertible body and converts it to run solely on bio-ethanol, with the added propulsion of GM’s new two-mode hybrid system.

The hybrid system is that developed jointly by General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, and BMW.

GM says the powertrain combination offers up 260 horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and a total of 148 kilowatts from its three electric motors. The powertrain can be run on gasoline or bio-ethanol, depending on availability. The hybrid system integrates stop-start technology, regenerative braking, an electric-only mode for city driving, and a continuously variable transmission.

GM estimates the BioPower could push the 9-3 Convertible to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds, nearly three seconds quicker than the stock 210-hp engine and five-speed automatic transmission found in the current convertible.

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