SAAB engineers have always been known to develop engines that are more original, higher performing and less polluting than the norm. But this time, they have outdone themselves by creating a revolutionary engine capable of developing 225 horsepower from a 1.6 litre cylinder, while consuming less than 9 litres of gas per 100km. It's by modifying the engine's compression rate, when in use, that they were able to pull off what many considered the equivalent of squaring a circle. And yet, the solution devised is at once simple and economic to mass produce.
This revolutionary engine features a cylinder head that pivots 4 degrees from the centre of the crankshaft. This modest tilt results in bringing the valve pistons closer together, thereby increasing the compression rate from 8:1 to 14:1. The tilt is controlled by its Trionic engine control module. When the driver hits the foot pedal, the engine, to increase acceleration, is deflected in order to reduce the compression rate, and the compressor is activated. For a smarter and more economic drive, the mechanism tilts the engine and increases to a 14:1 compression rate without activating the compressor.
According to information provided by SAAB, this propulsion system is unique in its kind and will be marketed in 2003 on four-, five-, and six-cylinder engines of 1.3 to 2.0 litres.