Saab 9-3 ePower Sportwagon – Saab’s foray into the EV market

Saab will be bringing their very own electric vehicle to Paris for the upcoming motor show. Based on the current 9-3 Sportswagon, the 9-3 ePower will be a prototype undergoing extensive trails in Sweeden next year.

This will be made up of 70 vehicles in their test fleet, which will be tested under real world driving conditions. The 9-3 will be motivated by a 135 kW/184 hp electric motor linked to a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Saab says that this accelerates the car to 100km/h in just 8.5 seconds and it allows the vehicle to reach a top speed of 150km/h. They also expect the car to return a respectable 200 kilometres before it needs to be recharged again. This then takes around 3 to 6 hours to a full recharge, depending on the depletion status.

Recharge times can be reduced by using a higher input voltage, as voltage inputs are not limited. The instrument panel has also been modified to accommodate a new display for the battery status, power consumption and driving range, all illuminated in green.

Saab boasts about the 9-3’s battery capabilities as it can operate at full power in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celcius, which is 10 degrees below current battery packs today. It is also said to be able to withstand the test of time with a charging cycle equivalent to approximately 10 years of average use.

Along with that, the use of air-cooling instead of a liquid cooling system has lowered the weight of the battery pack. Saab seems to be taking the right steps to make itself a relevant brand in the near future. Expect more from the Trollhattan-based company. Look after the jump for a picture gallery.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=1510]

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Jacob Alexander

Jacob Mathew Alexander has been a motoring nut for as far as he can remember and has recently turned his passion into writing. After spending some time in the same industry in the UK, Jacob's work is from a slightly different perspective.

 

Comments

  • flizzardo_sohigh on Sep 21, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    saw a saab wagon few days ago in highway singaporean plate .. was wondering what car it was until i over took it

    looks kinda good in flesh…

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  • LoveIt on Sep 21, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    I hope this will come to our shore…and i welcome all EV’s …it’s time for it to rules the road..go electric!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • campro on Sep 21, 2010 at 2:37 pm

      yaya….but hv to wait Proton make EV 1st….every1 know here m’sia all is about politic for proton advantage….if 1 day proton can’t make out even 1, then jz only we can dream…

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  • TakNakBN on Sep 21, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    sport rim spender!!!!

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  • littlebeetle on Sep 21, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    can’t wait this badge will re-establish here!!

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  • djomaha on Sep 21, 2010 at 5:34 pm

    Looks antique

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  • altimasss on Sep 21, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    Wow, 200 km range per charge – i think this is one step ahead, isnt it ?

    So far, I’ve come across max range is around 160km among road-ready EVs recently, maybe this car has ample space to put a bigger capacity battery.

    Impressive.. I foresee more EVs covering much longer distance in near future.

    Thumbs up !

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