20.8.2004
New ethanol FFV for Saab 9-5 range

A 'flex-fuel' 2.0-liter turbo engine that runs on ethanol, an eco-friendly renewable energy source, is being developed for the Saab 9-5 range and is expected to go into production next year.

The use of ethanol can attract favourable environmental and business tax concessions because it is commercially produced from grain crops and qualifies as a renewable energy source. The Saab 9-5 FFV (flexible fuel vehicle) is now about to enter this market niche. A 'flex-fuel' 2.0-liter turbo engine that is programmed to burn ethanol (E85) or gasoline in any mixture is being developed for the Saab 9-5 range and is scheduled to go into production during 2005.

Unlike gasoline, ethanol reduces emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the 'greenhouse' gas believed to contribute to global warming. The reduction is due to fact that the amount of CO2 emitted during the production and consumption of ethanol is almost equal to that removed from the atmosphere when crops for conversion are being grown.

In its Saab turbo application, the high 104 RON octane rating of E85 fuel, the 85 percent ethanol/gasoline blend most commonly available at filling stations, also produces a significant 20 percent increase in maximum engine power, up from 150 to 180 bhp.

The adaptability of the Saab Trionic engine management system in the standard 2.0-liter light pressure turbo gasoline engine facilitates re-calibration and programming to accommodate the different ignition-timing characteristics and fuel/air-mixture requirements of ethanol. The only other significant modifications are the use of ethanol-compatible materials for the fuel tank, fuel lines and connectors.