First pictures of new S2000 Saab 93

The new S2000 manufacturer for the Swedish Touring Car Championship has been revealed: Saab. A brand new Saab 93 BioPower has been build in S2000 specification by the team Dealer Sport. STCC race winner Jens Edman completed a shakedown of the car two days ago at Saab’s test track in Trollhättan, Sweden.

Edman was more than pleased with the first run of the new Saab and hopes to be back in the STCC next year.

“It was a perfect day, we had absolutely no problems at all with the car. We only did 15 laps, but the car felt great,” said Edman to TouringCarTimes.com.

Team boss and team owner Jan Warnestad was equally pleased with the first outing of the new S2000 Saab.

“We are more than pleased with the new STCC Saab! We think the car will be a strong competitor in the STCC-field, especially thanks to Saab’s strong position in the BioPower-area,” said Warnestad.

The team Dealer Sport, previously named Opel Team Sweden, ran an Opel Astra for Tommy Rustad in STCC 2007, but pulled out from the series ahead of the 2008 season. Edman was negotiating with the team ahead of the 2008 season, but if Edman will be behind the wheel of the car next year remains to be seen.

“We are discussing things for next year at the moment. It would have been really nice to be back in the STCC, I have been in Denmark for six years now. The STCC has grown really strong and I hope to be back for 2009,” said Edman.

Saab has backed the team during the building of the first S2000 Saab. But the level of official involvement from Saab in the team next year is unknown so far.

The engine of the car is Saab’s four cylinder, two liter engine and will be run on bio-ethanol. The gearbox is a six-speed sequential from Xtrac, the same one the team used in the Opel Astra.

The car will complete a test run during the final race of the STCC at Mantorp Park this weekend. Stay tuned for a video and more pictures of the car!