Saab has unveiled the 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept ahead of the Paris Motor Show next month.
The 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept will also share the spotlight with the 9-C BioHybrid Concept hatchback. Both vehicles are supposed to give us a hint of the new Saab 9-1. Both concepts are powered by the same 197 hp turbocharged 1.4L Saab BioPower engine.
Expect more details from the show next month.
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PRESS RELEASE:
Saab 9-X "Air" BioHybrid Concept Redefines Convertible Design
Detroit -- The 9-X Air BioHybrid concept, to be revealed at next month's Paris Motor Show, is an innovative design study exploring what a future open-air Saab could look like.
Featuring a unique Canopy Top and a wraparound glasshouse that includes the rear screen, the 9-X Air breaks the mould of conventional convertible design by offering four-seat accommodation within the close-coupled proportions of a sports car.
Its distinctive silhouette is defined by prominent rear pillars that mount the flat-folding Canopy Top and also anchor the separate, recessed rear screen. Top down, the 9-X Air is designed to offer fresh air motoring free from buffeting. Top up, it assumes the look of a true coupe.
Designed in parallel with the 9-X BioHybrid concept, the 9-X Air shares its highly efficient powertrain. The small, 1.4-liter Saab BioPower engine offers responsible performance by combining engine rightsizing with turbocharging, the use of E85 bioethanol fuel and hybrid technology.
The 9-X Air underlines Saab's leading role in convertible design and will be revealed 25 years after the first convertible from Saab was shown at the international Frankfurt Show. Full details and more images are available at HYPERLINK "http://www.media.saab.com" www.media.saab.com
Comments (12)
Damn, this is a sexy lookin car!
And almost 200hp from a 1.4-liter engine is truly impressive.
Posted by Dan | September 18, 2008 12:22 PM
Posted on September 18, 2008 12:22
I like the looks. Like many concepts it has questionable things about it, particularly with the interior. But, it's a design study. Weirdness comes with the territory.
One phrase induced me to eye-rolling, though. 'Engine rightsizing.' Fancy way of saying 'smaller engine' methinks.
Posted by kw | September 18, 2008 1:02 PM
Posted on September 18, 2008 13:02
Wicked stuff ...looks amazing in some details ..so smooth .. but 200PS from 1.4 could mean short life span and/or complex and expensive maintainance ..
I am waiting for an engine that adjusts displacement (or number of cylinders) acording to the need of power ..i should be able to cruise with some 70-100PS at 90mph with 2000rpm at 50+ mpg ...but punch 200+ PS when needed at a cost of worse mpg ..
Posted by S_Howl | September 18, 2008 2:03 PM
Posted on September 18, 2008 14:03
Really dig that interior.
GM needs to transplant that into the Volt immediately.
Posted by :) | September 18, 2008 2:34 PM
Posted on September 18, 2008 14:34
dont think anyone noticed that the engine got to 200hp with e85. just like the veyron went from 800 to 1000 with ethanol.
most likely its around 175hp-180hp on regular fuel.
Posted by :) | September 18, 2008 2:37 PM
Posted on September 18, 2008 14:37
Sure, the fact that it is billed as BioHybrid doesn't give anyone a clue.
Posted by Mr Future | September 18, 2008 3:34 PM
Posted on September 18, 2008 15:34
@Dan
While I agree it's a good looking car, the 200hp from a 1.4 isn't all that impressive with a turbo... Honda has been squeezing 220 hp out of a 1.8 liter without a turbo since the mid-late 90's in the Integra Type R. I just hope their bioethanol will get decent mileage, which is somewhat doubtful since ethanol has less energy than gasoline... The really high octane does allow for some sky high compression ratio's though.
Posted by Gary | September 18, 2008 9:50 PM
Posted on September 18, 2008 21:50
excuse me for asking, but what exactly is the relevance of Saab in the GM portfolio (and beyond...)
Posted by lowest iq | September 19, 2008 4:53 AM
Posted on September 19, 2008 04:53
@S-Howl
That engine has actually been under development for some years by Honda :)
Posted by Z | September 19, 2008 5:24 AM
Posted on September 19, 2008 05:24
@S-Howl
That engine has actually been under development for some years by Honda :)
Posted by Z | September 19, 2008 5:24 AM
Posted on September 19, 2008 05:24
@Gary
True we don't know the exact torque output and powerband of this engine, something tells me this is somewhat different than an overly wound Honda engine.
I would think even without the hybrid part it still shouldn't need to spool to 4k+ rpms to actually have any torque.
On the same vein, Toyota had the Formula Atlantic 4AGE series engine which pushed 240hp out of 1.6L @ 8500 rpms. Which also had no torque making 136 ft/lbs @ 7600 rpms....
Posted by Brian | September 19, 2008 6:05 AM
Posted on September 19, 2008 06:05
Ok There is no way even at flywheel that 1.8 liter shit box Integra Type R gets 220 hp unless its calculated some unorthodox way. But I guess with the Saab they supplant the low ethanol power with electric engine power even when the normal car engine is running giving it more power. By the way the integra R and S was a definate slow car im taking more then 12 seconds to 60 tops which isnt all that bad. Some of you 12 year old kids on this site have never driven a real 220 HP or more car before
Posted by 87REDBMW | September 20, 2008 3:32 PM
Posted on September 20, 2008 15:32