Saab Automobile has taken the first step towards developing an all-electric with the Saab 9-3 ePower. Making its public debut at the Paris Motor Show 2010, the Saab 9-3 ePower is the prototype of a test fleet of 70 vehicles participating in field trials in Sweden in early 2010.
The performance of the cars will be evaluated under a variety of actual conditions of conduct as part of the development process for a purpose built vehicles, electric Saab. Goals should be checked include a projected driving range of 200 kilometers through the use of high-density storage of energy in the cells of the lithium-ion batteries.
EPower Saab is the Saab's first electric vehicle is the result of cooperation between Saab Automobile, Boston Power (battery), Electroengine Sweden AB (electric trains), Innovatum (project management) and Power Circle (Sweden electrical industry organization commercial energy).
Midsize Sport Combi zero-emission
Saab 9-3 ePower is the first fully electric car to offer comfort to passengers and the entire body-style. Saab engineers have integrated the architecture of power in the shape and size of the conventional Saab 9-3 SportCombi.
Under the hood is a 135 kW/184 hp electric motor that drives the front wheels via a gearbox unique. Instantaneous torque from zero to 100 km / h acceleration is just 8.5 seconds with a top speed of 150 km / h.
Compact but powerful 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery is located in the floor, changed, especially within the state before axis used cars exhaust system and fuel tank. This allows for optimum weight distribution and excellent driving dynamics similar to those of standard SportCombi.
Electro-hydraulic steering is used and the cabin is equipped with air conditioning, via a compressor powered by the battery. A separate 12 volt battery for lighting and accessories booth, also charge the battery via a power transformer
The operation of the vehicle powertrain is controlled by an internal version of Saab Trionic 8 engine management system with the new software is written for an electric vehicle application.
Long driving range with excellent durability
The Saab 9-3 ePower is projected driving range of 200 km to go beyond the boundaries of current performance EV. The key to its long range are the cells that have a battery energy storage density much higher than the best currently used in VE applications. High energy density also contributes to low birth weight to the battery.
The battery has a capacity of 35.5 kW / h, and is designed to operate at full power at ambient temperatures down to -30 º C, at least 10 ° C below the operating level of the batteries in the other market today. Another key advantage is the use of air instead of coolant, which helps reduce costs and additional weight gain in the package design.
The package is intended to support further costs amounting to approximately ten years of average use. It can be fully charged from a home network for about 3-6 hours, depending on the status of exhaustion. Charging time can be greatly reduced if the voltage of the power supply is triggered when there is no limit to the capacity of battery power.
Test driving experience is designed to validate the performance of this advanced battery, which is designed to operate reliably in "buffer", a burnout set at 12 percent of total capacity, with a margin of much smaller operation than the one used in the management of other packages.
His cell lithium-ion batteries are also the first to receive the Nordic Ecolabel certification for their security and environmental sustainability, which includes the manufacturing process.
The Saab 9-3 ePower meets a high resistance to shocks applied to all Saab vehicles. Power supply of the vehicle is out of shape during interior structural areas, well protected and encapsulated. The battery management and control system compatible with the safety performance during normal driving and accidents.
Extensive user trials
Hundreds of motorists and their families will be employed by Saab and its development partners in an extensive road test and evaluation program that involves a fleet of 70 Saab 9-3 ePower strong central, western and eastern Sweden during 2011-12.
Trollhättan Saab ePower project will follow the performance of cars in a wide range of usage patterns and driving conditions. To save important data, all vehicles are equipped with recorders style black box.
Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile's Managing Director, added: "In 2015, global annual sales of electric vehicles is expected to reach 500,000 units, and Saab is determined to be represented in this important growth segment of the program is our Saab 9-3 ePower first step. towards the development of a potential vehicle production which will provide the kind of advanced performance our customers expect. We now look forward to working with our technical partners to develop such a product. "
