My first visit to a top international motor show was Paris 2006, which will be remembered as the debut venue of the Audi R8 and concepts like the VW Iroc, which has morphed into today’s Scirocco. All very nice, but there was one display at the Paris Expo that stopped this writer in his tracks, and it wasn’t even a world debut!
That car was the Saab Aero-X concept, a super sleek coupe with a jet style cockpit canopy that lifts upwards. It was a cool nod to Saab’s aviation roots, and guess what, they have repeated the same trick for Geneva 2011 in spectacular fashion. The automotive world would be much less interesting if not for individual brands like Saab – thank god they were saved from death at the last hour.
This PhoeniX concept showcases design features and technologies that will appear in the next generation of Saabs. Based on a new architecture which will underpin the next Saab 9-3, the PhoeniX introduces ‘aeromotional’ design, which Saab describes as “a visual evocation of the aerodynamic design principles and passion for innovation that inspired the creators of Saab’s first car, the iconic Ursaab.”
The slippery PhoeniX has a low drag Cd of just 0.25 and explores the potential for airflow management through the use of distinctive, side-mounted ‘winglets’. Butterfly opening doors give easy access to a low slung 2+2 cabin
The front look sports a stretched interpretation of Saab’s signature three-port grille. A body-colored central wing is now dominant and, in keeping with the car’s minimalist design, LED headlamps are almost invisibly located at its tips. The new grille and hood forms are among the styling themes likely to be seen in future Saab production cars.
At the rear, the tapering form hints at the teardrop rear styling of Ursaab, while the sawn off, kamm tail references Saab’s first coupe, the Sonett.
Under the hood is a 1.6-litre turbo engine with innovative, electric RWD technology. The BMW sourced unit packs 200 hp/250 Nm and includes start/stop functionality, minimal parasitic losses and a fuel cut-off function, which are Efficient Dynamics features. A stainless steel tank, which is lighter and less expensive than a conventional plastic design, is used.
The rear drive 34 hp electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack that’s replenished by regenerative braking. It’s part of Saab’s eXWD system and torque vectoring is available. Now under development for next gen Saabs, this propulsion system enables the benefits of AWD while also reducing fuel consumption. With a six-speed manual, projected combined cycle fuel economy is just 5.0 L/100 km. 0-100 km/h is done in 5.9 seconds.
More pics after the jump.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=2020]
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Yet another hybrid? Fantastic.
deym son!
thy could easily make a contest , count the led bulbs !
ive been seeing so many saab concepts bt none reach to production…
yes. that’s sad. most of their concepts are design concepts rather than production concepts.
“This PhoeniX concept showcases design features and technologies that will appear in the next generation of Saabs.”
If there IS a next generation of Saabs, that is.
All new 9-3 coming in 2012
One car a generation maketh not, friend. While I’m fully in support of Saab regaining its wings (they’ve produced some of my favourite concept cars of all time), I’m not fully convinced that the 9-3 is the miracle child that will turn their fortunes around the way they hope.
front looks like the odyssey…….
There’s no side mirrors…..JPJ won’t approve it……
That over-stretched front floating grill – Proton tuah has it, Mazda Minagi has it and now Saab has it..
This design is baffling. Ostensibly, it’s meant to evoke the Ursaab (which was a genuinely groundbreaking car). Where the Ursaab was taut and restrained, though, this thing is festooned with fins and folds and curlicues from tip to tail. It’s as if Castriota completely misunderstood the fundamental beauty of the Ursaab – and perhaps, unfortunately, the entire Saab legacy.