GM Europe
Product Development and
Technology Communications
Adam Opel Haus
D-65423 Rüsselsheim
Deutschland
February 28, 2006
Product ranges tailored to country-specific infrastructure
Alternative Fuels: Why Saving Money Can Be Pro-Environmental
Saab, Opel/Vauxhall and Chevrolet models operating on bioethanol, natural gas and LPG
Geneva. In addition to the on-going optimization of gasoline and diesel engine concepts in
terms of fuel consumption and environmental compatibility, GM engineers focus on
research and development of propulsion concepts for alternative fuels. General Motors is
one of the world's leading manufacturers of vehicles that can run on the biofuel E 85. Today
there are 1.5 million of these GM "FlexFuel" models in the USA, and by the end of 2006, this
number will reach almost 2 million. As the market for alternative fuel vehicles is strongly
affected by infrastructure, the different GM brands offer country-specific models, such as
the Saab 9-5 BioPower (ethanol), the Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG (natural gas), and a range of
Chevrolet models (LPG). Not only do these vehicles conserve valuable crude oil resources,
they are also easy on car drivers' budgets.
Powerful yet clean: Saab BioPower models running on bioethanol
With the world premiere of the Saab Aero X and the European debut of the Saab 9-5
BioPower the Scandinavian brand shows two concept cars which are powered by the ecofriendly renewable energy source bioethanol. While the Aero X The car has a 400-hp
Bio-Power twin-turbocharged engine the Saab 9-5 BioPower Concept is driven by a turbo
powerplant with a displacement of 2.3 liters. It delivers a higher maximum performance by
almost 20 percent (310 hpvs. 260 hp) and a 25 percent more powerful torque (440 Nm vs.
350 Nm) than its gasoline equivalent as well as significantly reduced CO2 emissions.
Saab already leads the European premium car segment offering a BioPower model in its
home market of Sweden that is fueled by bioethanol, an eco-friendly renewable energy
-2source. The Saab 9-5 BioPower is not only kinder to the environment, it also produces more
power than its gasoline equivalent (180 hp compared with 150 hp) because bioethanol has
a much higher octane rating (104 RON) than gasoline, making it ideally suited to
turbocharged engines.
The new Saab 9-5 2.0t BioPower is not only very pro-environmental; it is also very practical,
because it runs on any mixture of bioethanol and gasoline without intervention from the
driver. Bioethanol fuel is produced commercially from agricultural crops and forest
residues. Unlike gasoline, its combustion does not raise atmospheric levels of carbon
dioxide (CO2), the 'greenhouse' gas that contributes to global warming. In Sweden,
bioethanol is currently blended (85% bioethanol / 15% gasoline) and sold as E85.
The Saab 9-5 2.0t BioPower engine running on E85 delivers 180 hp and 280 Nm of torque,
compared to 150 hp and 240 Nm with gasoline - a significant 20 per cent increase in
maximum power and a 16 per cent increase in torque over the standard model. This makes
for a much sportier performance: zero to 100 km/h is accomplished in just
8.5 seconds.
The high performance Saab Trionic engine management system senses the mix of E85 and
gasoline in the tank and adjusts the engine timings accordingly. The only hardware
modifications necessary are more durable valves and valve seats, and the use of bioethanolcompatible materials in the fuel system, including the tank, pump, lines and connectors.
Filling up for half price: the Opel Zafira CNG and Combo CNG natural gas-fueled models
Natural gas market leader Opel has presented the new Zafira 1.6 CNG (Compressed Natural
Gas), the latest version of Germany's most popular natural gas-powered vehicle in autumn
last year at the Frankfurt “IAA” Motor Show. A total of 20,000 units of its predecessor model
were produced. Available since May 2005 is the Opel Combo 1.6 CNG. These new CNG
models share a common feature in the intelligent underfloor placement of the natural gas
tanks, which ensures that the CNG versions offer the same, generous interior space and the
same versatility as the gasoline and diesel engine models.
Thanks to the innovative monovalentplus concept, both cars have been designed specifically
to run on natural gas, biogas, or a mixture of both. The engine technology features special
pistons, valve and valve seat inserts, separate injection systems for natural gas and gasoline,
and an engine management system optimized for natural gas. A 14-liter reserve gasoline
tank is fitted, which allows the driver to switch to gasoline to extend the range of the
vehicle. Indeed, when the main tank runs low, the system automatically switches to
gasoline, although a manual switch is also provided.
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A particular strength of the CNG models is their superior economy – with fuel costs
approximately 30 percent lower than the diesel versions (or 50 percent less than the
equivalent gasoline engines) – and their environmental compatibility. By virtue of its
design, this method of propulsion produces 75 percent less carbon monoxide, 80 percent
less nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons, and around 30 percent less CO2. What is more, the
exhaust gases contain no soot particles.
Economical and non-polluting: the LPG models from Chevrolet
From the compact Kalos to the practical Tacuma/Rezzo minivan, many Chevrolet models
are available in Belgium, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands that will run on LPG as
well as gasoline (LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas). LPG is an environmentally friendly
solution, since it contains virtually no sulfur and its combustion produces far fewer exhaust
emissions and soot particles.
The LPG tank holds between 47 and 60 liters, depending on the model, and is located in the
vehicle's spare wheel compartment. The size of the trunk is therefore not affected and no
modification to the gasoline tank is needed. It is not only the environment that benefits from
the use of LPG; high-mileage drivers enjoy considerably lower fuel costs, since throughout
Europe LPG costs much less than other fuels. The main reason for this is the lower duty on
LPG.
Contact:
Johan Willems
Director, Product Development &
Technology Communications,
General Motors Europe
+49 6142 760243
johan.willems@de.gm.com
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