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 200 kilometres.
The electric motor develops 185hp to give a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds, with a top speed of 150km/h. 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 (130-, 160- and 180hp) of this motor now have CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km (in saloon guise - the estate is rated at 122g/km). Combined cycle fuel consumption for the saloon with manual transmission is 4.5 litres/100km.
Finally, the 9-5 is now offered with 190hp, twin-turbo diesel power. There is also a new 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol unit with 180hp that manages 7.8 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 179g/km.
Saab's 9-3 ePower will make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show on 30 September.
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