Despite Financial Woes, Saab Shows New Models at LA Motor Show
One of the biggest problems with cars, particularly those with high
performance, high pressure turbos, or direct injection technology, is that the real price you pay comes every time you need to refill. There's also another toll, one rarely spoken about in car magazines, being the cost such engines are to the environment.
Swedish carmaker Saab has come up with a rather clever way of reducing the impact on the world around us with its new BioPower Concept car, which will make its debut at this year's Los Angeles Motor Show next week.
The BioPower Concept car isn't exactly the stunner its name might imply. You won't find a low profile, ultra-fast wedge, or a wacky-looking Tokyo-style dream vehicle, but instead the BioPower concept is based off of the recently revised 9-5 SportCombi station wagon, in super fast 'aero' trim, and if it weren't for the gigantic decals plastered on its doors it would appear identical to any
new 9-5 wagon. It must be said, however, that the new warparound headlamps and blackout detailing do make it look a lot like the 9-x concept car.
Using BioPower technology, Saab's engineers managed to extract a truly impressive 310 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque out of the 9-5's 2.3 litre turbocharged motor, when the car is fuelled with ethanol-enriched E85. That marks a 20 percent increase in horsepower (260), and 25 percent more torque (258 lb-ft) over the standard 9-5 Aero, a total output that enables this midsize near-luxury family hauler to scorch past 100 km/h in less than six seconds.
One of the biggest problems with cars, particularly those with high
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| Saab's BioPower Concept shows that conserving the environment and performance aren't mutually exclusive entities. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
Swedish carmaker Saab has come up with a rather clever way of reducing the impact on the world around us with its new BioPower Concept car, which will make its debut at this year's Los Angeles Motor Show next week.
The BioPower Concept car isn't exactly the stunner its name might imply. You won't find a low profile, ultra-fast wedge, or a wacky-looking Tokyo-style dream vehicle, but instead the BioPower concept is based off of the recently revised 9-5 SportCombi station wagon, in super fast 'aero' trim, and if it weren't for the gigantic decals plastered on its doors it would appear identical to any
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| The BioPower showcases Saab's latest innovations - the new, facelifted 9-5 SportCombi aero and Saab's innovative E85 technology. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
Using BioPower technology, Saab's engineers managed to extract a truly impressive 310 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque out of the 9-5's 2.3 litre turbocharged motor, when the car is fuelled with ethanol-enriched E85. That marks a 20 percent increase in horsepower (260), and 25 percent more torque (258 lb-ft) over the standard 9-5 Aero, a total output that enables this midsize near-luxury family hauler to scorch past 100 km/h in less than six seconds.