I don’t know if the 1.0-liter 150 bhp would sell outside of Europe. I could see it selling there very well in countries which tax according to engine displacement and/or CO₂emissions. I’ve read complaints on the web that the 150 bhp 1.8t 9³ is a bit underpowered.

I would’ve liked to see if SAAB could get their variable compression (SVC) technology production-worthy. I think that this had some serious potential for “rightsizing”. Imagine what kind of fuel economy you could get without sacrificing power out of an ethanol-powered 1.0-liter 4-cylinder variable compression engine with SAAB Combustion Control fitted.

BMW seems to be doing some interesting things to increase gasoline engine fuel economy. Instead of going full-hybrid they’re turning their Mini, 1-series, and M3 into “mild hybrids” with Bosch’s stop/start system and in some cases regenerative braking.

To me it’s kind of ironic that while most of the auto makers at Frankfurt are introducing new diesel and alternative fuel “green” technologies SAAB is introducing a 21 mpg (combined) V6 which runs on only gasoline (premium unleaded, I assume). Well, I guess I can’t accuse SAAB of following the pack this time!