Saab: Liquor Does It Quicker

[Stéphane Dumas]

I spotted this article from Popular Science's website about the ethanol-powered Saab 9-3 turbo
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/automot...069364,00.html

I wonder if Saab had found the magic recipe to compensate for the inconvienents of ethanol/E85 powered cars? (less power and lost of 5-15% of economy according to some ) It's so tempting to said yes

[ZillaZ]

Wow, that's a very interesting article. The boost pressure seems pretty high, but maybe that's what it takes to get the best out of E85. I am interested to see other engines running E85 before and after a turbo... show me a Tahoe! Might be a good option for Tahoe SS.

[Red2003XLT]

I’d to see GM/Saab bring this technology to the US markets.



Additionally, I’d to see this technology licensed to the other GM divisions.

[91z4me]

Aren't a lot of other cars E85 capable? I know the Caravan was and I think all the Ford FFV cars and trucks were. I even think that some 3.8 Series II motors were E85.

[Red2003XLT]

Most of Ford and GM products are E-85 capable. It's turbo technology I'm thinking of. The big knock on E-85 is less power and less fuel economy. Saab appears to have solved both.

[yoblues]

With the price of gas escalating GM may find that Saab's turbo technology may be a long term life saver. Saab 4 cilinder turbos have always offered Power and fuel economy.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by yoblues

With the price of gas escalating GM may find that Saab's turbo technology may be a long term life saver. Saab 4 cilinder turbos have always offered Power and fuel economy.

Not only that.. .it's Saab's advanced engine management system.... and Saab's advanced fuel research.

Hopefully GM sees what they've got beore they do somethign rash

[327]

GM needs to take borrow some ideas from the E85 competition they sponsor,
Check out these silverados

http://www.engr.unl.edu/~ethanol/article9.htm

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by 327

GM needs to take borrow some ideas from the E85 competition they sponsor,
Check out these silverados

http://www.engr.unl.edu/~ethanol/article9.htm

That's cool.... but why stop there.... When GM already has a gas/E85 hybrid engine in production and being sold.

Rumors are the 9-5 BioPowers will be sold in the US. That's a good sign. Get some positive green press going for GM.

[CRBoyd91]

If ethanol was put into as big of production as gasoline s, it would be extremely cheap. Our governmet can be just like GM sometime in a sense that they see what it takes but seems to find a way not to do it.

[327]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

That's cool.... but why stop there.... When GM already has a gas/E85 hybrid engine in production and being sold.

Rumors are the 9-5 BioPowers will be sold in the US. That's a good sign. Get some positive green press going for GM.

Yea, but they should take ideas from them, Like corvette pistons in the 5.3 silverado with a electric turbo, Glow plugs in the air intake to make up for the cold start problem, Fuel line heaters, E85 doesnt have as high vapor as gas) and If cold enough wont start, (theyve taken care of that problem a different way Though/ And make 480HP 0-60 in 5.8 secs, with a sound that would make a corvette jealous

[yoblues]

mgescuro - That is the problem. The really maddening problem. GM doing something rash with Saab. GM never really understood what they really bought was Saab engineering expertise. My wife has been driving Saabs for two decades and is REALLY pissed at what GM has done to Saab. If GM had given Saab the leeway Ford gave Volvo can you imagine what Saab would be now and how GM would have benefited? All this media crap about Volvo safety, Volvo this, Volvo that, is CRAP. They stole every idea they have from Saab. They just benefited because Ford gave them the money and let them run with it. The jury is still out on GM management of Saab. If GM blows it, SCREW GM they are to stupid to save. I have been going back and forth about what type of car I want to buy, because I really need a new car, but I think this fuel crises ( that I believe is permanent ) has made up my mind. I am definitely going to test drive the 4 cylinder 9-3 sport combi and if I really like it buy it.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by yoblues

mgescuro - That is the problem. The really maddening problem. GM doing something rash with Saab. GM never really understood what they really bought was Saab engineering expertise. If GM had given Saab the leeway Ford gave Volvo can you imagine what Saab would be now and how GM would have benefited? All this media crap about Volvo safety, Volvo this, Volvo that, is CRAP. They stole every idea they have from Saab. They just benefited because Ford gave them the money and let them run with it. The jury is still out on GM management of Saab. If GM blows it SCREW GM they are to stupid to save.

I agree... and I don't agree.
The difference is that Volvo had significant and advanced platforms. Saab had old and borrowed ones. Volvo had a lineup 2-3x larger than Saab.

If GM gave money to Saab for it to do its thing... I'm not totally convinced that anything would have happened. Ford gave money to VOlvo... and out came cars like Ford Five HUndred, and a bunch of other platform shared cars.

VOlvo definitely benefitted. That's for sure. Just not sure if GM would have benefitted the same if they gave Saab the money. Saab would have been healthier, but not so sure they would ahve contributed much. THey were a niche brand... and still are.

[yoblues]

Saab is niche only because they were broke. Saab understands auto safety, superb interior design, European driving dynamics and small powerfull fuel efficient engine design. If GM does not take advantage of this asset, shame on GM.

[TurboSAAB]

E85 engine -

190 hp on e85 , 150 when it just uses gasoline.

good stuff.