Saab 9-4X Crossover Runs on Alcohol and Gas

[JohnWxy]

http://www.greencar.com/features/saab-9-4x-biopower/

As the name implies, the 9-4X BioPower’s green credentials come from its ability to be optimized to run on E85 ethanol. But that’s not all: This crossover will also employ engine downsizing to deliver above average fuel economy and lower emissions. Saab prefers the term “rightsizing” when discussing the higher power, smaller displacement technique. While most crossover vehicles this size require V-6 engines to deliver respectable performance, the 9-4X BioPower is propelled by a mere 2.0-liter four cylinder powerplant.


With the higher octane performance of E85 along with direct injection, variable valve timing, and an intercooled twin-scroll turbocharger, Saab’s 2.0-liter four will put most V-6 engines to shame in the performance department. Maximum power on E85 is an impressive 300 horsepower at 5,400 rpm with 295 lbs-ft of torque between 2,600 and 5,400 rpm. That translates to 150 horsepower per liter of displacement. Running straight pump gasoline, those numbers drop to 245 horsepower and 260 lbs-ft of torque. Flex-fuel capability is made possible by seamless adjustments in the 9-4X BioPower’s engine management system that varies ignition timing and turbo boost pressure, which prevent ignition predetonation when running gasoline.

The 9-4X BioPower transfers power to all four wheels through a six speed automatic transmission and Saab’s XWD cross wheel drive system. This system feeds power to the wheel with the best traction – both side-to-side and front-to-back – for superior road holding and traction on wet or wintry roads. Fueled with E85, Saab lists a 7.9 second 0-60 time and top speed of 146 mph. The tradeoff when running higher octane E85 ethanol is a 20 to 30 percent reduction in fuel economy. When mileage is critical, the 9-4X BioPower is said to achieve 22.4 mpg on gasoline.

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What they failed to note in the last paragraph that when compared to other gasoline only powered vehicles of this size generally requiring V-6s instead of a little (2.0 Liter) 4 cylinder engine as this car has the 17 mpg on ethanol looks terrific compared to 11 to 14 similar powered SUVs with V6s (with at least 50% bigger displacent) get.

In a normal standard sized sedan this engine pulling that much less weight would probably be getting 19 to 22 mpg. Set it up for less performance (do you need to go 0-60 in 7.9 sec?) and the mileage would go even higher - perhaps 21-24 mpg.

[Sanity Claws]

1. Runs on alcohol? Is it called the Saab Bush ?

[JohnWxy]

3. Howabout the Saab-Wang, or the Saab-Dale, or the Saab-Shappouri

MIchael Wang, Argonne National Laboratory http://www.anl.gov/Media_Center/News/2005/news050823.html

Bruce Dale, MSU: Allocation Procedure in Ethanol Production System from Corn Grain

Shappouri, USDA: http://www.transportation.anl.gov/pdfs/AF/265.pdf

[soothsayer]

2. Me, too!

[madrchsod]

4. my saab 93 ran on 30wt non detergent oil and gasoline

talk about leaving a carbon footprint....

[JohnWxy]

5. say three "Hail Marys" and hit the collection plate hard next Saturday afternoon (5:00).