Saab 9-3:Saab's new 9-3 offers drivers an eco choice with plenty of power, writes Michael McAleer
Put it down to the slings and arrows of cruel fortune. The earnest Swedes are trying their best to set a good example for the rest of the world, but, as usual, foreign governments seem deaf to their efforts. Even our own partly-green Government seems set to stymie sales of the Swedes' greener vehicles, by removing the current tax rebate on biofuel vehicles.
For several years now, the Swedes have been embracing ethanol as an alternative fuel for the future. Engines capable of running on mixtures of petrol and up to 85 per cent ethanol now feature in 17 per cent of all new car sales there. Ethanol can be produced from a variety of crops ranging from sugar cane - the main source of the world's ethanol at present - through to grass, corn and, in the near future, household waste. Yes, your rubbish could well power your Porsche if the biofuel lobby has its way.
The common-sense Swedes are not only foreseeing a green and pleasant planet with their ethanol options. They also seek to wean themselves off an oil dependence that forces them to befriend some sullied regimes in the Middle East, a rather cantankerous regime in Russia and - probably as important as any of these - their next door neighbour, oil-rich Norway. Though they probably won't admit it, there's nothing annoys the Swedes more than being beholden to the Vikings next door. That's why their government has announced a target date of 2020 to be free of a dependency on fossil fuels.
So, a potential power source that's carbon neutral, supports local farmers and industry and gives your indigenous car industry a marketing trick is to be welcomed with open arms.
Both Saab and Volvo have embraced the new ethanol technology; both setting standards in ethanol usage that are now being actively pursued by other brands owned by their respective US parents.
For Saab's part, the fact that General Motors is publicly espousing ethanol usage as "the best short-term solution to our CO2 problem" can only mean good news for the folks in Trollhattan.
Before getting further into the ethanol debate, perhaps a little history is in order. Ethanol is a form of alcohol that burns at higher temperatures than petrol, releasing more energy than pure petrol, if not matching it in terms of fuel efficiency.
That means ethanol will give you a faster acceleration, more torque but lower fuel consumption. So far so good.
But what about the planet? Despite the hype, ethanol is not free from carbon emissions. Its saving grace, however, is that while CO2 still comes out the tailpipe of an ethanol-burning vehicle, the quantities are negated by the CO2 absorbed by the plants and crops during growth.
Enough about ethanol for now: what of the new 9-3? Well, first impressions are very positive. Saab created the sporting Aero X concept several motor shows ago, but the themes outlined in it are only now starting to show their face on the production models. The smart lines on the new front, set off by stylish new light clusters, give the car a real contemporary look, while retaining the unmistakable Saab DNA. Even around the back, the use of white plastic for the light clusters gives the car a premium look.
Inside, Saab has been less adventurous. The cockpit theme of old is carried forward on this car and the driver faces a wall of plastic, with knobs and buttons rather than the modern central control system of rivals from BMW, Mercedes and now Audi. Saab has also fallen foul somewhat of its own identity, because we have become so used to the large honeycomb air vents in its cars. The problem is that it's no longer that stylish and makes the interior look rather clunky against the sleek exterior styling of the car.
Aside from that, the practicalities are up among the best in class. There is ample legroom in the back, a big cavernous boot round the back and large comfortable chairs up front.
As you've probably guessed from the start of the article, our car was powered by one of Saab's two biopower offerings in the new 9-3 range. While it has just introduced a new 2-litre turbocharged biopower model, ours was the older 1.8-litre engine putting out 175bhp. A little addition on our test car, however, was the Hirsch Performance kit which, for another €1,500, added some smart bodykit along with 20 extra bhp under the bonnet. This brought our total up to a very respectable 200bhp. Match that with the added punch from the biofuel, and it looks like a very tempting powertrain.
The engine itself had ample punch, though it did make a bit of a racket when you pushed it on and there was noticeable lag in output as you started to approach the rev limits.
Our main quibble with the car's performance was the five-speed Sentronic automatic gearbox, which just didn't seem up to the task of getting the most out of what should be a very potent engine for its size. Perhaps we are spoiled with some slick auto boxes on offer from the VW Group - with its dual-clutch DSG transmissions - and even the new ZF gearboxes in the BMWs.
The ride was comfortable if a little firm, while the various safety features kept handling issues to a minimum and even when we attempted to force a little front-wheel understeer, the system was pushing us back into shape early on.
Overall, it's a very competent offering rather than something that would set the world alight. Then again, that's precisely what the biopower agenda is trying to prevent. In this guise it offers a decent punch while you feel you have the option to do your bit for the planet, if you opt to fill up at one of the few filling stations that carry E85.
Ethanol is not without its detractors. While the EU has stated its desire to have a 10 per cent ethanol mix in all petrol sold as part of its climate change package, some within the environmental lobby are concerned about the potential for redirecting crops from food production. That in turn will impact on food prices.
Similarly, there are concerns that the rapid growth in ethanol usage has spurred the recent clearing of Brazilian rainforests. With that nation taking the lead in supply of sugar cane-based ethanol, some have pointed to ethanol production as the reason for the recent deforestation to make way for tillage. It seems every good deed for the planet has an implicit harmful demon built in.
In any event, the recent budget changes take a lot of the financial attraction off biofuel vehicles. Alongside the moves to base taxes on emissions rather than engine size, Mr Cowen also removed the 50 per cent tax rebate on biofuel and hybrid cars as of July 1st this year.
That means the current €6,770 rebate on our test car will disappear, replaced by a set €2,500 discount for all hybrid and flexifuel vehicles.
In short, the tax benefits on buying a biofuel vehicle are about to dwindle. The tax incentives at the pump remain, but there owners must struggle with recalcitrant petrol companies. While Maxol has done the decent thing and adopted biofuel in many of its stations, others are less eager. After all, they don't control supply in the same way they do with fossil fuels, so they don't see the attraction. That's where Government needs to step in and hopefully force their hand. Stations with large volume sales must be required to offer an ethanol mix option.
The Swedes are showing us the way in this regard. The new 9-3 offers yet another power option for buyers in the entry executive segment, alongside the usual petrol or diesel engines. It shows you can stick with the styling and format you know, but do your bit under the bonnet to keep the planet in good shape. The new look on the 9-3 is to be commended, although we wish they had revamped the interior at the same time.
It might not set pulses racing behind the wheel, but it's doing its bit to end oil dependency and that can only be commended.
FACTFILE
ENGINE: 1998cc four-cylinder in-line, turbocharger,intercooled. DOHC, 16-valve engine that can run on either pure petrol or a mix of petrol with up to 85 per cent ethanol. It puts out 175bhp @ 5,500rpm and 265Nm of torque @ 2,500rpm.
SPECIFICATION:ABS with cornering brake control, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist; traction control and ESP (except on entry 1.8i); dual front, side and roof rail curtain airbags; auto climate control with cabin air filter; front fog lights; 16" alloys; cruise control. Linear Sport adds: leather seats; rear park assist. Vector Sport adds: 17" alloys; metal look interior trim; sports chassis. Aero adds Xenon headlights; sports steering wheel. Options include: glass sunroof (€1,615); Convenience pack with rain sensor wipers and electric folding mirrors (€650).
L/100km (MPG):
Urban: 11.9 (23.7)
Extra-urban: 6.5 (43.5)
Combined: 8.5 (33.2)
CO2 EMISSIONS:205 g/km (178g/km for manual version)
PRICE: €43,380 - after VRT rebate (€36,573 to €44,712 for biopower versions including VRT rebate). Regular engine models start at €36,400