Saab 9-3 Electric Vehicle prototypes exist

Last week National Electric Vehicle Sweden, the current owner of Saab, released a statement denying that the company is insolvent. The move was obviously a response to an earlier bankruptcy petition against NEVS by a supplier, which has since been withdrawn.

This week the news is slightly more encouraging, as Saab has just confirmed the existence of some 9-3 Electric Vehicle prototypes. In fact, the cars were built back in May, so perhaps the timing of the announcement was deliberately intended to restore some confidence in the brand's future?

Saab 9-3 Electric Vehicle Prototype (2014) Side

Looking identical to the petrol-powered Aero model, they feature a 138 bhp (102 kW / 140 PS) electric motor that can propel the 9-3 from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) in ten seconds. Top speed meanwhile is a modest 75 mph (120 km/h).

A lithium-ion battery pack, housed beneath the floor so that neither passenger nor luggage space is affected, offers a range of around 125 miles (200 kilometres).

The prototypes are now going to be used for further technical development work and to help establish a manufacturing process. Saab has yet to reveal a production start date, though.

Related posts:
2014 Saab 9-3 Aero production begins
Final Saab 9-3 Convertibles

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