Saab H engine
| Company type | Internal combustion engine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Sweden |
| Products | Inline-4 automobile engines |
Saab H Engine Overview
The Saab H engine represents an evolution of the earlier Saab B engine, itself originally derived from the Triumph Slant-4 engine design.
Contrary to what its name might imply, this engine is neither an H engine configuration nor a horizontally opposed layout; rather, it is a slanted inline-4 cylinder arrangement. Debuting in 1981 within the Saab 900, it was subsequently installed in the Saab 99 starting in 1982. The "H" designation signifies high compression, reflecting one of the key enhancements made over the B engine series. This powerplant continued to serve in models such as the 900, 9-3, 9000, and 9-5. When the second-generation 9-3, built on the 2003 GM Epsilon platform, transitioned to the GM Ecotec powertrain, the 9-5 remained the only model utilizing the H engine. This engine family powered the first-generation 9-5 until production ceased in 2010, after which the manufacturing equipment and technical expertise were transferred to BAIC. Notably, the later B2X4 and B2X5 engines share virtually no components with the original B engines aside from cylinder bore spacing.
All variants are constructed with a grey cast iron engine block paired with an aluminum cylinder head featuring either single or dual overhead camshafts driven by chains. The SOHC versions operate two valves per cylinder, while DOHC configurations employ four valves per cylinder arranged in a pentroof combustion chamber with a valve angle set at 22 degrees from vertical. Valve actuation utilizes flat inverted bucket lifters; these are hydraulically actuated in DOHC models.
Engine codes follow a logical pattern—for example, the B201 denotes a 2.0-litre displacement (indicated by "20") with a single camshaft configuration.
B201
The B201 represents the initial H engine design, featuring two valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft. Launched in 1981, it differed from the earlier B engine by eliminating the central shaft that previously powered the distributor, oil pump, and coolant pump. Instead, the distributor was positioned at the front of the cylinder head and driven directly by the camshaft, while the integrated water pump was substituted with a separate unit mounted at the rear of the engine.
This engine came in several configurations: a single carburettor version delivering 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 5200 rpm, a dual carburettor variant producing 108 PS (79 kW; 107 hp) at 5200 rpm, a fuel-injected model using Bosch K-Jetronic injection rated at 118 PS (87 kW; 116 hp) at 5500 rpm, and a turbocharged fuel-injected version generating 145 PS (107 kW; 143 hp) at 5000 rpm. In 1986, an intercooled turbocharged edition was introduced, boosting output to 155 PS (114 kW; 153 hp) at 5500 rpm.
Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki developed a downsized 1.6-liter variant of the B201 to comply with Finnish vehicle taxation regulations. This reduction in displacement was achieved by narrowing the cylinder bore. The prototype produced 92 PS (68 kW; 91 hp) at 5400 rpm and featured Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. One such prototype is exhibited at the Uusikaupunki Saab museum.
B202 and B212
In 1984, Saab introduced a cylinder head with sixteen valves operated by dual overhead camshafts. The original eight-valve design was subsequently designated as B201, while this new multi-valve engine was labeled B202. Key enhancements included hydraulic valve lifters and the Ecopower system (referred to as "ep" in Italy and "(900)S" elsewhere), which incorporated a pre-heated catalytic converter to lower emissions.
By 1991, Saab rolled out a naturally aspirated sixteen-valve version with increased displacement of 2.1 L (2,119 cc; 129.3 cu in), named B212. This iteration featured a larger and reengineered inlet manifold designed to enhance airflow. The intake manifold and cylinder head from this 2.1-liter unit became popular upgrades for 1985–1993 sixteen-valve, 2.0-liter turbocharged Saabs. While power gains were moderate at standard boost levels, performance improvements became significant when higher boost pressures were applied.
Engine builder John Nicholson created a Formula Three racing engine based on the B202 for use in the Reynard 853 chassis.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag The Senova X65 is powered by the B205EFA engine rated at 177 hp (132 kW).[1] Meanwhile, the BAIC BJ80 is available with the B231R engine variant rated at 231 hp (172 kW). It is important to note that the B201R and B231R engines do not employ Saab’s Trionic engine management system nor utilize the direct ignition cassette technology.
| Engine | Displacement | Output | Torque | CR. | Bore × Stroke |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B185RGA[2] | 1,799 cc (109.8 cu in) | 177 hp (132 kW) at 5500 rpm | 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 1800–4800 rpm | 9.2:1 | [convert: invalid number] |
| B201R | 1,992 cc (121.6 cu in) | 201 hp (150 kW) at 5500 rpm | 270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) at 1900–4500 rpm | 8.8:1 | [convert: invalid number] |
| B205EFA | 177 hp (132 kW) at 5500 rpm | 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 1800–4800 rpm | 9.0:1 | ||
| B205RGA | 204 hp (152 kW) at 5500 rpm | 290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft) at 1800 rpm | 8.8:1 |
- | |
| 2,290 cc (140 cu in) | 231[convert: needs unit name] at 5500 rpm | 350[convert: needs unit name] at 1900–4300 rpm | 9.1:1 | [convert: invalid number] | |
| [convert: invalid number] at 5300 rpm | [convert: invalid number] at 1900 rpm | 9.3:1 | |||
| [convert: invalid number] at 5300 rpm | [convert: invalid number] at 1900 rpm | 9.3:1 |
Successor to the Saab H-Engine
Production of the H-engine concluded with the first-generation Saab 9-5 in 2009, coinciding with the transfer of intellectual property rights to BAIC. Starting from the introduction of the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan in 2003, Saab transitioned to using the L850 engine Ecotec. From the launch of the second-generation Saab 9-5 in 2010 onward, all models adopted Ecotec engines. Although certain technologies from the Saab H-engine influenced designs within the Ecotec series, these two families share minimal commonality overall. Saab maintained its use of the Trionic engine management system within Ecotec-powered vehicles.
See also
References
External links
- Matthew Phenix. "Faster Effects of Alcohol". Popular Science, July 2005.
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