Saab’s new 9-3 range features a bold and more assertive look. That change reflects a series of engine improvements that include the introduction of all-wheel drive and more powerful diesel, petrol and BioPower flex-fuel engines.

Saab leads Europe’s emerging flex-fuel segment with its unique BioPower concept. This combines turbo-charging with the use of E85 fuel (85% bioethanol/15% petrol) to deliver increased engine power and performance, as well as reducing fossil CO2 emissions by up to 80%. The Saab 9-5 BioPower set the standard for biofuel cars in Ireland and the option is now available to a broader audience with the new Saab 9-3 range which features a choice of two powerful BioPower engines.

Saabs new stlye 9-3 model

The distinctive frontal styling of the new 9-3 range was inspired by Saab’s Aero X concept car. Its engine line-up will ultimately include an innovative 180bhp (132 kW), twin-turbo 1.9 diesel, an uprated 280bhp (206 kW), 2.8V6 turbo petrol engine and an additional 175bhp 2.0t Saab BioPower option, delivering 200bhp (147 kW) when running on bio ethanol E85 fuel.

The success of the Saab 9-5 BioPower coupled with the Government’s support for flex-fuel vehicles of a 50% rebate of VRT, vehicle registration tax and VAT refund on E85 fuel for company cars, will ensure that the new Saab 9-3 BioPower models will be the most popular.

When running on E85 Bioethanol, a renewable fuel, fossil CO2 emissions are reduced by up to 80%, helping the environment and also the economy, as the fuel is produced in Ireland by the Carbery Group from whey, a by-product of cheese production and distributed by Maxol.

The new 9-3 model also offers the choice of a more powerful 2.0t BioPower engine with 200 hp/147 kW and 300 Nm of torque with Vector Sport specification. Saab dealers can fit a Saab approved Hirsch Performance tuning kit which up-rates the 1.8t BioPower by 20 hp.

Saab’s 32-bit Trionic 8 engine management system monitors fuel quality after every visit to the filling station and automatically makes any adjustments necessary for running on E85 and/or petrol in any combination. That means Saab BioPower drivers can also use petrol, should E85 not be available.