Quote Originally Posted by niky View Post
Not really so big, in terms of news. GM has shown how effective ethanol blends are in turbocharged cars by having a Saab concept that gets more power out of ethanol blends.

But having ethanol as a separate ingredient? The benefits might not be big enough to adopt this system over a regular system that runs different states of tune for higher ethanol blends.

Still, very intriguing. 2 liters and 500 streetable horsepower with no detonation? Count me in...
Quite intriguing...

I don't know as to how far different this is to the Saab Biopower Concept vehicles. Not sure.

After releasing Biopower variants for the 9-3 and 9-5 (supporting up to E85), they (Saab) have released the Biopower 100 concept model during the 2007 Geneva Motor Show that is capable of full E100 (100% Ethanol blend).

300hp and 400nm of torque is two times faster than the 2.0 liter standard variant of the same model.
What's more, this fully "flex-fuel" vehicle is fully compatible with regular gasoline/petrol and ethanol (up to 100% blend).

http://www.saab.com/media/2007/quick...aabconcept.mp4

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...ow/1070103.001

Plus, it can be equipped with a hybrid system where an electric motor will act as a second powerplant. It can be used for idling to low speeds while the main powerplant is deactivated (ala Prius), then the battery can assist the main engine during medium speeds. Regenerative braking, downhill recharging and other energy-saving techniques apply.

In fact, it is highly likely that Biopower 100 unit would be equipped with the hybrid system after all (main powerplant + electric motor).

I can see the Brazilians smiling immensly about this