Saab's decision to start down-sizing goes into full effect in 2009 with the debut of the new 9-5. The 9-5 is expected to break out the Geneva Motor Show in March. Saab's largest car will be built on the new Epsilon II architecture that debuted last month with the new Opel Insignia. The smallest engine in the new 9-5 is expected to be a turbocharged 1.6L probably with direct injection. Other engines will include the 2.8L version of GM's twin cam V6 along with a pair of diesels. A 2.0L four cylinder along with GM's new 2.9L V6 diesel should be available. The use of direct injection will allow Saab to use higher boost levels matching the power of the larger engines with less displacement. Flex-fuel BioPower engines will certainly be part of the equation as well.

[Source: Channel 4]

First Portugal and Scandinavia, now it's the U.K.'s turn. Tourists, businessmen and collision survivors now have the option of renting green with the introduction of the Toyota Prius to Avis' UK fleets. In addition to being kinder to the environment, the Prius is also exempt from the U.K.'s congestion charge, making it more wallet-friendly.

Avis Scandinavia also has the pleasure of maintaining several Ford Flexi-fuel cars and 400 Saab 9-5 BioPower cars, simply because they're in Scandinavia. Lucky Swedes. Because of these efforts of Avis going green, they claim to have saved 76,500 tons of CO2 emissions. Impossible, you say? You're right, because green cars alone can't accomplish that figure, which is why Avis, in conjunction with The CarbonNeutral Company, has been planting a tree for every vehicle in their fleet since 1998. A valiant effort, Avis. Keep up the good work.

Related post:

• Avis to offer 1,000 Priuses for rent on the west coast

[Source: Avis]