Saab and Opel are working jointly on a hybrid drivetrain that could see its way into the new Saabs - sooner than you think, too.
Saab Managing Director Jan-Ake Jonsson said a hybrid will likely appear on the next generation of its 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles.
"We are part of the development process," Jonsson said. "Eventually hybrids will be in Saab vehicles."
Jonsson said the development of a hybrid system, which Saab is currently working on at its research and development center in Sweden, makes sense for a brand that continually wants to separate itself as a leader in technology.
"It fits into the image of the brand," Jonsson said.
For some people (not me), the most amazing part of that story is that there's still a Saab R&D centre in Sweden.
Could this be a fourth drivetrain variant? Gasoline - Biopower - Diesel - Hybrid. What's the bet that the regular gasoline engine is eventually phased out in favour of all engines getting the Biopower treatment. Why not? It can run on gasoline just fine.
I'm just not sure about this hybrid trend though. It's got plenty of knocks on it with regards to real ownership costs and seems just a bridge between the more mileage/enviro friendly fuels of today (i.e. diesel and ethanol) and the hydrogen drivetrains of tomorrow (IF they get up).
Ten minutes late and a dollar short?