NEVS electric Saab 9-3 prototype revealed in Trollhattan

[nordwulf]

Information from NEVS:



Today Nevs presented the Saab 9-3 Electric Vehicle as designed and produced as part of a prototype series in Trollhättan.

The car is a modified Saab 9-3 Aero Sedan where the batteries are placed under the floor, keeping the full interior space as well as the luggage compartment intact. With that, the Saab 9-3 EV is just as practical as the Saab 9-3 Aero with gasoline engine.

The Saab 9-3’s famous driving-experience is of course preserved in the EV, helped by its low center of gravity and a 50/50 weight distribution.

“We are happy to present the result of Nevs engineering into a real Saab EV product. The Saab cars’ well-known performance and safety is maintained and we foresee a very good product for the market. When we developed the Saab 9-3 Aero Sedan Model Year 14, we focused on enhancing the driving experience, safety and quality. And the starting point for our development of the Electric Vehicle project was to maintain all the good attributes and characteristics”, said Stig Nodin, Vice President Engineering and Product Development.

The car shown in Trollhättan today is one from the first prototype series of cars and it was produced in the Trollhättan plant in May.

The car is equipped with lithium-ion batteries from Beijing National Battery Technology, a company within the Chinese group of green tech companies owned by Kai Johan Jiang’s company National Modern Energy Holdings Ltd.

In this phase of the development the performance of the prototype series are limited to:

• The range for this prototype series of cars is approximately 200 km.
• Acceleration 0-100 km/h, 0-60 mph 10 sec.
• Maximum speed of 120 km/h.
• Engine power 140 hp, 100 kW.

The prototype series have multiple reasons:

• To enhance the understanding of EV’s in the complete company.
• To serve as a reference for specification of coming production model(s).
• To be used as a test bench for technical development.
• To verify the manufacturing setup.

[CaptainMediocre]

Why does the electric version of the 9-3 they are now showing off look like it still has the air intake box?

[nordwulf]

Good question. Perhaps part of the cooling/heating system?

[CaptainMediocre]

Looks like there is still coolant tanks and hoses too. I can't claim to know a lot about electric cars yet, and this is still a prototype so perhaps they just didn't bother taking certain parts out yet?

Also, the performance numbers look abysmal.

[nordwulf]

Some more pictures and information from Teknikens Varld.







Translation through Google:

The car we see in the pictures here is one of four built prototype / pre-series. It was built in May of this year and has since been rolled about a thousand mil. It and the three siblings cars have served as confirmation for Nevs that it is possible to build electric cars on the same line as 9-3 with a combustion engine.

The electric motor, which is American made, has an output of 100 kilowatts (kW), equivalent to 136 horsepower. The batteries that supply the motor with electricity has a storage capacity of 37 kilowatt hours (kWh). The range with current battery is under the NEDC driving cycle 20 mil (probably a low estimate). But Nevs working to increase the number range by developing better batteries at its plant in China.
Top speed is 120 km / h and 0-100 km / h in ten seconds.

As we can see the car looks like a great regular 9-3 on the outside, however, is missing exhaust naturally. Under the hood it looks different, however, since electric motors replaced the internal combustion engine. Behind the fuel filler cap on the right rear fender missing fuel pipe. instead of sitting there a connector for charging the batteries.

Chassis of 9-3 EV has been redesigned to house the batteries without these will interfere neither space or handling.

Can you tell us anything about electric Saab, Hans?
- One is struck first by being higher than a regular 9-3. It is visible when the two cars are side by side. The electric car has been lowered floor to make room for the batteries, which resulted in lower ground clearance. This has been compensated by raising the suspension, so it feels a little 9-3X.

Anything else?
- screen infotainment center console, different gear selector more worthy of an electric car, big red stop button belonging förserieproduktionen, other meters in the instrument housing. Among other things.

[Gepe]

Looks quite like a finished car rather than a 'test bed'.
Would still need hydraulics - brakes, steering.
Brake reservoir.
Air intakes may be for ventilation system?
Heavy 'hoses' may be power cables?
I am sure time will tell / explain but isn't it fun guessing?
TTFN

[CaptainMediocre]

I've been getting increasingly intrigued by electric cars lately. I would have no issue owning one so long as it is A: fast B: good looking and C: has a greater than 200 mile range. So far the Tesla Model S is the only one in existence that fits the bill, but I would have to add another criteria, D: reasonably affordable.

So far the Saab only as B going for it. But I'll be interested to see where they go with it, IF they can get the funding they have been looking for.

[nordwulf]

It's also a bit odd there still is a battery cover in the motor compartment. Perhaps used for accessories like the infotainment?

It's just odd they introduce an electric prototype (that was made 3 months ago) at a local sporting event in Trollhattan. And their press pictures look like they took them at the back of a storage building. This looks like they are not even close to having a production model.

I just have a hard time getting excited about going from a turbo gauge to an ecometer and 0-100 km/h in 10 seconds. "Ren glädje" translates to "Pure joy"..



Most interesting about this 9-3 is that head unit.

[CaptainMediocre]

And the night panel button is still there! Thank heavens. I sure hope the rear fog light is preserved as well.

[photousa]

If they can just match the Tesla Model S specs, they'd really have something. It's now about 2 years later than the last post, I wonder what they've been up to since then?