Saab is to show an all-electric version of its 9-3 in Paris – the Saab 9-3 ePower.

The Saab 9-3 ePower is a prototype for a test fleet of 70 vehicles which will participate in extensive field trials in Sweden early next year. Saab maintains that the all-electric family estate represents an important step forward for Saab’s pursuit of delivering cleaner and sustainable mobility solutions.

The performance of the cars will be evaluated under a variety of real-world driving conditions as part of the development process for a purpose-built, electric Saab vehicle. Targets to be verified include a projected driving range of approximately 200 kilometres.

The Saab ePower is the first electric vehicle from Saab and is a result of a co-operation between Saab Automobile, Boston Power (batteries), Electroengine in Sweden AB (electric power trains), Innovatum (project management) and Power Circle (Sweden’s electric power industry trade organisation).

Saab engineers have integrated an electrical architecture within the shape and dimensions of a ‘conventional’ 9-3 SportWagon. 

Under the bonnet is a 184 hp electric motor driving the front wheels through a single-speed transmission. Instant torque enables zero to 62 mph acceleration in just 8.5 seconds, together with a top speed of 93 mph.

The 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is accommodated in a modified floor-pan, in a space occupied by the exhaust system and fuel tank on the standard 9-3 SportWagon. This allows for optimum weight distribution and excellent driving dynamics similar to those of a standard SportWagon, Saab claims.

The operation of the vehicle’s powertrain is controlled by a version of Saab’s own in-house Trionic 8 engine management system, with new software written for an electric vehicle application.

Saab says the Saab 9-3 ePower’s projected driving range of approximately 124 miles 'pushes out the boundaries for current EV performance'. Key to its long range are 'battery cells which have an energy storage density substantially greater than the best currently used in EV applications'. High energy density also contributes to a lower battery weight, Saab says.

The battery pack is intended to support re-charge cycles equivalent to 10 years average use. It can be fully recharged from a domestic mains supply in three to six hours, depending on depletion status. Charging times can be greatly reduced if the voltage of the electrical feed is raised, as there is no limitation on the battery’s input capacity, according to Saab.

The battery pack is also designed to operate 'reliably' within a full depletion ‘buffer’ set at only 12% of total capacity, a much lower operating margin than used in the management of other packs, Saab says.

“This [trial] programme is designed to evaluate the potential for developing a high-performance, zero-emission electric vehicle and is an important next-step in the extension of our EcoPower propulsion strategy,” says Mats Fägerhag, Executive Director, Vehicle Engineering at Saab Automobile.

“This includes engine rightsizing, which exploits Saab expertise in turbocharging, as well as the use of alternative fuel, such as bio-ethanol through Saab BioPower technology.”

Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile’s CEO added: “By 2015, annual global sales of electric vehicles are expected to reach 500,000 units and Saab is determined to be represented in this important, growing segment.

“The 9-3 ePower programme is our first step towards developing a potential production vehicle that will deliver the sort of advanced performance our customers expect. We now look forward to working with our technical partners in developing such a product.”