Paris auto show: Saab to debut first electric car

Saab's first-ever electric car will debut on the Swedish automaker's stand at the Paris motor show late this month.

The ePower, a converted Saab 9-3 SportsCombi wagon, is equipped with a 184-hp electric motor. Saab says the ePower will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, have a top speed of 93 mph and have a range of about 124 miles on a single charge.

Saab engineers fit the ePower's lithium-ion battery pack into the space that normally would be taken up by the exhaust and fuel systems. The batteries can be recharged in three to six hours, Saab says.

The automaker plans to build a fleet of 70 ePowers to be tested in Sweden, beginning next spring.

Saab is also using the Paris show to roll out three new powertrains for the larger 9-5:

-- A 2.0-liter turbocharged BioPower engine will run on E85 and produce 220 hp at its peak. Saab says it will bring this engine to the U.S. market.

-- A new 2.0-liter two-stage turbocharged diesel will produce 190 hp. It can propel the 9-5 from 0 to 62 mph in less than 9 seconds.

-- A 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine will accelerate the 9-5 from 0 to 62 mph in 9.5 seconds and is rated at 180 hp.