SAAB VS. SCEPTICISM

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9-5 BioPower by Rinspeed

Back in 2007, there was an ever growing focus on the automotive industry showing more respect for the environment, Saab being Saab, had already given us their 9-5 BioPower, but for the Geneva Motor Show, they went one step further.

In a rare collaboration with German tuning house; Rinspeed, Saab presented a tastefully modified 9-5 BioPower to show the world that eco technology didn’t have to be bland.

Not only was this 9-5 finished in an exceptionally eye-catching metallic yellow, but futuristic materials were used extensively inside the cabin to redesign the dashboard, doorcards and even featured seats trimmed with Technogel.

The 9-5 BioPower E85 engine produced 180hp and could be run on either pure bioethanol producing significantly lower CO2 emissions, regular unleaded fuel or a mixture of both.

Aesthetically, Rinspeed managed to give the 9-5 the perfect lift it needed, lowered suspension, 19” AEZ alloys and numerous styling modifications that enhanced the 9-5’s original futuristic design. Whilst I’m not a fan of interior so much, I think the exterior modifications gave the Saab a fantastic style and one I’d be very tempted to replicate if a BioPower wagon happened to come my way.