The Saab ePower – Petrol/Electric is a 1,360 cc, inline‑four petrol engine integrated with an electric motor, produced as a limited-run concept between 2010 and 2011. It featured direct injection, turbocharging, and a lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a combined output. Regenerative braking enabled energy recovery for enhanced urban efficiency.
Fitted exclusively to the Saab 9-3 ePower concept sedan, the powertrain was engineered for zero-emission city driving and extended range via its petrol engine. Emissions compliance for the petrol component was targeted at Euro 5 standards, utilizing standard exhaust after-treatment systems.
As a non-production prototype, no widespread reliability concerns were documented in service bulletins. The project, detailed in Saab's internal engineering report #EP-2011, was discontinued following GM's divestment of Saab in 2011, with no customer vehicles ever sold or serviced.
The ePower was a prototype; no official type approval was granted. Emissions data pertains to the petrol engine component only (Saab Engineering Report #EP-2011).
The Saab ePower – Petrol/Electric is a 1,360 cc inline‑four hybrid engineered for the 9-3 concept (2010-2011). It combines direct injection with an integrated electric motor to deliver zero-emission urban capability and extended range. Designed as a prototype, it targeted Euro 5 standards for its petrol component.
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,360 cc | |
| Fuel type | Petrol / Electric | |
| Configuration | Inline‑4, DOHC, 16‑valve | |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged | |
| Bore × stroke | 77.8 mm × 72.0 mm | |
| Power output | 180 kW (245 PS) combined | |
| Torque | 400 Nm combined | |
| Fuel system | Direct injection (petrol) / 35.5 kWh Li-ion battery | |
| Emissions standard | Targeted Euro 5 (petrol component) | |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 | |
| Cooling system | Water‑cooled (engine and battery) | |
| Turbocharger | Single turbocharger | |
| Timing system | Chain-driven | |
| Oil type | Not specified for production |
The electric motor provided instant torque for city driving, while the petrol engine offered highway range. As a prototype, no maintenance schedule was published. The high-voltage battery system required specialized safety procedures. No consumer fuel quality or oil specifications were ever released, as the vehicle never entered production.
Oil Specs: No production oil specification was released (Saab Engineering Report #EP-2011).
Emissions: Emissions data for petrol component only, as prototype (Saab Engineering Report #EP-2011). No official VCA/EU certification exists.
Power Ratings: Combined output measured under internal Saab test protocols (Saab Engineering Report #EP-2011).
Saab Internal Engineering Report #EP-2011
Saab Automobile AB Press Releases (2010-2011)
The Saab ePower – Petrol/Electric was used exclusively in the Saab 9-3 ePower concept vehicle with longitudinal mounting and was not licensed to other manufacturers. This powertrain was a bespoke prototype with no platform-specific adaptations for production models. All details are documented in internal Saab engineering reports.
The ePower was never installed in production vehicles. Identification is only possible on the single 9-3 concept car displayed at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and subsequent auto shows. No VIN coding or engine stamping protocol was established for customer vehicles.
As a non-production prototype, the ePower has no documented long-term reliability issues or government failure statistics. Analysis is limited to observations from its brief public demonstration period. Any assessment of potential failure modes is purely theoretical.
Analysis derived from Saab technical reports (2010-2011) and press materials. No government failure statistics exist for this prototype. Repair procedures were never developed.
Find answers to most commonly asked questions about SAAB EPOWER.
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