Saab has revealed its future model plans. The 9-5 SportWagon and an all-terrain 9-4X are due for launch in the next 12 months. Before then Saab will show an electric version of the 9-3 at the
Paris Motor Show. There are also revisions to the 9-3 turbodiesel and two new engines for the new 9-5 range.
The 9-3 ePower is the company's first step towards building a zero-emissions model. Based on the 9-3 SportWagon, the ePower is designed to offer a greater emission-free driving range than any electric vehicle currently in production. The lithium ion batteries have a 35.5kWh capacity for a target driving range of 124 miles.
The electric motor develops 183bhp to give a claimed 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds, with a top speed of 93mph. Next year (2011) a fleet of 70 ePower cars will begin a test programme in Sweden. Data gathered from the trial will be used to develop a 'high performance' Saab electric vehicle.
The current range has been improved too; the 9-3 has an updated 1.9-litre, twin-turbo diesel engine. All three versions (128-, 158- and 178bhp) of this motor now have CO
2 emissions of less than 120g/km (in saloon guise - the estate is rated at 122g/km). Combined cycle fuel economy for the saloon with manual transmission is 62.8mpg.
Finally, the 9-5 is now offered with 187bhp, twin-turbo diesel power. There is also a new 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol unit with 178bhp that manages 36.2mpg and CO
2 emissions of 179g/km.
Saab's 9-3 ePower will make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show on 30 September.
John Lambert - 20 Sep 2010
