The Saab Hybrid Convertible: What Else Can One Ask For? : Saab new car review 2008

The Saab Hybrid Convertible: What Else Can One Ask For? : Saab new car review 2008

The Saab Hybrid Convertible: What Else Can One Ask For?
by Ernest Jarquio
When you think of cars, you immediately think of the likes of Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen and BMW: manufacturers from Japan, the U.S., and Germany. But somewhere in Europe there's another car manufacturer in Sweden that makes BMW, Mercedes Benz and Volvo think twice. Saab Automobiles in Sweden, a subsidiary of General Motors, is the prime competitor in Europe of the aforesaid German cars. It makes elegant and sophisticated looking hybrid convertible.Saab Automobiles traces its roots to the Swedish Airplane Company; so one can just imagine the aerodynamic pedigree that goes into every Saab car. Saab Automobiles came about after the Second World War, when the airplane division decided to enter the car scene. The company marked its entry into the market with 2-cylinder saloons that were very aerodynamic and practically drag-free, thanks to its airplane production legacy. Since then, Saab had been consistently making introductions of newer, larger cars into the market.A Convertible Hybrid?Saab never wavered in its commitment to innovate. In production are several concept cars but what stands out is the Saab 9-3 Convertible, a Hybrid concept that runs on bio-power. Saab intends for this hybrid convertible to be the first gas- or diesel-free hybrid car in the world, and a convertible one at that, too. With the roof down, as convertibles come, the breeze is fresher with this hybrid's zero emissions.Its hybrid technology is hinged on the use of bio-ethanol, thus no gas- or diesel CO2 emissions. Its electric motors ensure performance with powerful torque and maximum fuel economy. It runs on pure electricity; absolutely zero fossil fuel, at city driving. Regenerative braking is also used to harness the energy derived from the braking process.The Saab hybrid convertible combines pure bio-ethanol with electricity and is absolutely independent of fossil fuel. The Bio Power engine and electric motors provide great accelerating and traction power. The battery in the hybrid system is a 300-volt bank that requires no maintenance. This is integrated with the electric motor, an electric transmission, a starter generator, and an all-wheel drive to ensure power, efficiency, safety, and comfort.A Revolutionary Hybrid TechnologySaab wants to look at its hybrid system as a modular one, combining all the heretofore independent engine, transmission, wheel drive, and brake components into one energy-efficient hybrid system. And Saab is very much into developing the technology, very characteristic of its continuing advancements since its venture into the car-making industry in the late 1940s. Using hybrid technology and injecting it into Saab's trademark sporty and trendy 2-seaters and convertibles, one is assured of racing/sports-car performance without the fuel consumption and environmental impact.The Saab hybrid convertible uses a descendant of the Bio Power technology by going hybrid and using only pure bio-ethanol. Here the 2.0 liter turbo engine of the Saab 9 range is developed further to provide maximum torque that is significantly greater than from gasoline. The engine, starter generator and a 300-volt battery are all integrated.The battery gives power initially to a 38 kilowatt motor which in turn connects to the transmission and differential shafts. The motor is also a generator during braking, under the regenerative braking principle of capturing kinetic energy from the momentum, charging the battery in the process. Then there is a second motor, electric again, which is the starter generator. This delivers additional power and extra torque to the engine.Environmental Safety BenefitsUnder ideal city driving conditions, this hybrid convertible starts at idle with the 2 electric motors complementing the engine, providing additional power. Rolling out, acceleration is enhanced as the pull or torque is tripled, as the engine picks up speed and continues to be aided by the electric motors.During traffic jams, braking and shifting are harnessed to generate additional power through regenerative braking. And so as to save fuel further, during such congestions, the Saab Hybrid can go on "Zero Mode" which is running on pure electricity alone, no fuel, and thus, no emissions, too. Of course, batteries won't run forever, but when the charge reaches a pre-set minimum level, the engine kicks in without any obvious sign of deceleration or shift. Low on fuel, low on emissions; what else can environmentalists ask for?The Saab Hybrid convertible with its Bio-Power concept is one optimized hybrid, with great fuel savings and great sustainable and renewable energy harnessing.

Saab new car review 2008 michigan U.S.A. washington florida cororado las vegas san fran Atlanta Boston Philadelphia Arlington Cleveland New Jersey Kansas Houston Nevada Virginia