Saab Introduces the BioPower 9-5 in Australia
Saab is one of the first automotive manufacturers to offer an E85 flex fuel (bioethanol) vehicle to the Australian car market. E85 flex – fuel vehicles are already common in Europe. But the introduction of E85 flex – fuel cars is breakthrough both for Saab and its Australian market. The vehicle, called a BioPower 9-5, is already on sale in Australia. Saab Australia offers three versions of the BioPower 9-5 vehicle – the Sport Sedan, SportCombi and the Convertible type.
The launching of the Saab BioPower 9 – 5 is opportune as this was also the same time that United Petroleum, the largest fuel supplier in Australia, announced that they were to build two bioethanol fuel pumps, one in Melbourne and one in Sydney, to cater to the alternative fuel market.
The use of bioethanol on Saab’s BioPower 9-5 will be able to reduce carbon emissions from 120-130gm per kilometer of carbon dioxide to 40gm per kilometer. It will also cut down fuelcosts for car owners because bioethanol powered cars run on 82 percent ethanol and only 15 percent petrol. A liter of bioethanol cost only about one dollar.
Other car manufacturers are expected to follow Saab’s lead by introducing bioethanol powered cars to the Australian market, as well. More and more car owners are going “green” and turning to alternative sources of fuel. Older Saab cars may need some engine conversion in order to be able to run on bioethanol but high – quality, discount priced Saab OEM parts are easy to find.
