( Worldcarfans ) - The Saab BioPower 100 Concept, first unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show last month, is making its North American debut at the New York Auto Show, April 6-15 at the Javits Convention Center .
"Saab is the sales leader in the flex-fuel car segment in Europe, and we are eager to extend that success to North America," said Jay Spenchian, Saab Automobile USA General Manager. "The BioPower 100 Concept shows the way to go. Beyond highlighting the first production-based turbo e ngine to be optimized for pure ethanol, this high-tech concept also foreshadows the arrival of Saab BioPower products in the United States in the near future."
The exciting BioPower 100 Concept brings Saab's technology to a new level by showing the true potential of combining turbocharging and sophisticated engine management with pure bioethanol fuel. It is one of the best examples that greener motoring can also mean even sportier driving.
At the heart of the Saab BioPower 100 Concept is a modified version of a 2.0-liter turbo production gasoline engine from the current Saab 9-5 range, which in standard specification gives peak power of 150 horsepower. A test and development program - involving modifications to the engine management system and internal components - now enables it to exploit the high-octane benefits of E100 fuel by using a higher compression ratio, together with more boost pressure. The outcome of this work is peak power of 300 horsepower and a remarkably high specific power output of 150 horsepower per liter.
"This exciting concept shows the tremendous potential of bioethanol, in terms of both performance and future opportunities to right-size engines," said Saab Automobile Managing Director Jan Ake Jonsson. "Bioethanol is already entering the market as E85 fuel, and we look forward to seeing further supply infrastructure developments that will make it more widely available in the future."
The Saab BioPower 100 Concept is presented as an evolution of the Saab 9-5 SportCombi. It is visually distinguished by styling features such as "ice block" front and rear light units - extending a theme seen on the 9-3 SportCombi - and 19-inch "turbine" alloy wheels inspired by those of the award-winning Saab Aero X concept, first shown at Geneva last year. The interior is upholstered in unique white leather, complemented by the main fascia and door trims, which are finished in black leather overlaid with a carbon fiber-effect pattern.