Saab 9-5 Hybrid in the Works

The newly-released Saab 9-5 will get a hybrid version as well, as the Swedish manufacturer, now owned by Koenigsegg, is looking to bring an extra boost to the car. The hybrid powertrain will obviously cut fuel consumption and emissions but will also supply a higher level of torque when the driver is accelerating. The 1.4-liter turbocharged unit will be assisted by a small electric unit, autocar.co.uk wrote, but preliminary specs are yet to be disclosed.

Such an addition would be welcomed, especially when talking about the green car sector which is demanding all automakers to raise fuel efficient and cut emissions as much as possible.

But the small electric motor to be fitted on the 9-5 between the original powerplant and the transmission assembly will also allow the manufacturer to use a small and cheaper battery that would be easier to recharge using braking energy regeneration.

Saab 9-5 will be displayed at the Frankfurt Auto Show next week and will be powered by several configurations, including a 1.6-liter turbo and going as high as 2.8-liter units. The all-wheel drive system is offered with the 2.0-liter gasoline, BioPower and 2.8V6 turbo engines. Adaptive chassis control with driver settings selection through Saab DriveSense, Bi-Xenon Smart Beam adaptive lighting and intelligent cruise control are also offered on the new Saab 9-5. There are two different suspension configurations available, depending on the engine power.

After the public debut of the 9-5, Saab will also introduce a new small engine, a 1.8-liter gasoline turbo unit that develops 180 horsepower plus a 2.0-liter BioPower E85-capable powerplant. All transmissions will be six-speed, Saab said.