Video: Saab 9-X Air Convertible Concept

Revealed ahead of its Paris show debut, the 9-X Air concept previews Saab's upcoming 9-1 premium hatch that will rival the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Volvo C30. Equipped with a fabric top that automatically folds in three sections behind the rear seats, the 9-X Air is powered by a 200 HP 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that runs on E85 biofuel and is matted to a hybrid electric motor. Hit the jump to check out the first official video of the 9-X Air that includes an interview with GM Europe’s Vice President of Design, Mark Adams or click here for more details and a high-res image gallery. -Continued

Saab 9-X Air Convertible Concept: 32 High-Res Images and Official Details

Set to make its global premiere at the Paris Motorshow in October, the Saab 9-X Air Concept is the convertible version of the 3door 9-X BioHybrid that was revealed at the Geneva Show in March. And despite its name, this concept is not just a lot of hot air as the Swedish firm intends to use the 9-X models as a base for their forthcoming 9-1 premium hatch that will rival the BMW 1-Series, Volvo C30 and Audi A3. Essentially, the 9-X Air is giving us an idea of what a convertible version of the 9-1 could look like. -Continued

The most unique feature on the 9-X Air is the clever roof system that Saab calls the ‘Canopy Top’. The flat-folding fabric top was developed from a Targa roof principle, hence the prominent C-pillars, or as Saab calls them, buttresses, that provide the rear mounting for the Canopy Top.

The fully automatic fabric top folds into three small sections under a rear tonneau cover in the trunk deck. The rear screen between the buttresses retracts automatically into the underside of the raised tonneau cover to allow stowage of the Canopy Top. The screen then moves back into position to provide a complete glass surround for the cabin in open-top mode.

This ‘surround glass’ feature, together with an active wind deflector on top of the windshield header rail, essentially create a ‘wraparound’ wind deflector net, promising to cut turbulence for all four passengers.

As you may have noticed in the photos, the 9-X doesn’t actually have a boot opening. And indeed, Saab’s designers have replaced the traditional boot with a storage compartment, big (or rather small) enough to accommodate two golf bags, that slides out from underneath the rear light bar.

Inside, the 9-X Air boasts a futuristic design with a row of five display screens illuminated in green 3-D graphics that we probably won’t see going into production for another decade or so, but hey, what did you expect from a concept car.

As with its three-door sibling, the 9-X Air Concept is equipped with a hybrid powertrain that comprises a 200HP 1.4-litre turbocharged biofuel (85% bioethanol - 15% petrol) engine matted to a dual-clutch six-speed semi-automatic transmission and an electric motor with a lithium-ion battery pack. According to the Swedes, the 9-X Air can sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 231 km/h or 143 mph.

Finally, Saab says it has projected an average fuel consumption on gasoline of 5.0 lt/100 km (57 US MPG) and 119 g CO2/km while on E85, CO2 emissions are projected to be even lower, at just 107 g/km, with estimated fuel consumption of 6.5 lt/100 km (36.2 US MPG).

Saab 9-X Air Convertible Concept Heads for Paris

The first official photos of Saab’s surprise concept for next month’s Paris Motor Show have unofficially found their way into the net. The drop top Saab concept is based on the 9-X BioHybird that was revealed at this year’s Geneva Salon in March. Compared to the 3door ‘shooting brake’ concept, the 9-X Air has lost its tin top in favour of a retractable canvas roof while Saab’s designers also restyled the car’s rear end. A notable design feature of the 9-X Air is the rear fin-like extensions of the C-Column. -Continued

Even though Saab has retained the 2+2 seating arrangement of the 3door version, from what we gather by looking at the pictures, it looks like this Saab won’t be carrying around any adults behind the front passengers.

Since Saab hasn’t released any official information on the 9-X Air Concept, we don’t have any technical details in our hands yet. But it wouldn’t be too far fetched to say that the front-wheel-drive 9-X Air Concept will most probably get the same hybrid powertrain as the Geneva Concept which was equipped a 1.4-liter turbocharged E85 flex-fuel gasoline engine matted to a 6speed dual clutch gearbox and backed by an electric motor that’s powered by a set of lithium-ion batteries.

Video: Saab 9-X BioHybrid Geneva Show Unveiling

Not even 24 hours before the Geneva Motor Show opens up its gates, Saab gave journalists an exclusive preview of its 9-X BioHybrid Concept (pics and details here) that foretells the upcoming 9-1 premium hatch. The concept is equipped with a 200hp1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine that can run on bioethanol E85 fuel. With a solar cell panel on its roof, the 3-door sporty hatch also runs on energy extracted from sun and used to charge the hybrid’s battery pack both when the vehicle is in motion and when it is stationary. –Video after the jump

Geneva Show: Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept Previews BMW 1-Series Adversary

While Saab supports that the 9-X BioHybrid is a “vivid vision of what a future compact car from Saab could look like”, we’ll just bluntly say that the Geneva Show concept previews the shape of the forthcoming 9-1 premium hatch that will enter the market in 2010. The 9-X BioHybrid’s design is clearly inspired from Saab’s earlier Aero-X and 9X concept cars and although its rear-end sort of reminds us of a bread-van, overall, we like it. The interior looks like it came straight from a sci-fi movie, so there’s no point of making any comments as it will never find its way into production.

Underneath its sleek body, Saab’s concept hides a 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine partnered by GM’s next-generation Hybrid system. The 1.4-liter engine generates 200 hp on E85 and an even more impressive 280 Nm (207 lb.ft) of torque. The new hybrid system features a lithium-ion battery and a significantly higher power capability to capture more energy and more electric boost than the current GM Hybrid system.

According to Saab, the 9-X BioHybrid can go from nought to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 sec on E85 and 8.3 sec when using regular gasoline. As for fuel consumption, the concepts need a mere 4.9 lt of gasoline or 6.4 lt of E85 for every 100 km (48 and 36.8 MPG respectively). –More details and pictures after the jump

Press Release

Saab 9-X BioHybrid:

Boosting Efficiency in Compact Design and Performance

The Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept is a vivid vision of what a future compact car from Saab could look like. It is designed to reflect the priorities of youthful customers who seek progressive looks, responsible performance and high-tech communications, all in a sporty, fun-to-drive package.

Exploring design themes from Saab’s award-winning Aero X and earlier 9X concepts, the 9-X BioHybrid also demonstrates the potential for ultra-efficient power from a 200 hp (147 kW), 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine backed by GM’s next-generation Hybrid system. Projected combined cycle CO2 emissions of just 105 g/km on E85 fuel are testimony to the promise of this package (see separate release for details).

The interior showcases an entirely new expression of Saab’s driver-focused cockpit design, together with innovative, seamless connectivity for personal nomadic devices and a rear cargo deck with a ‘low friction’ loading system.

“This car is all about efficiency in design and performance,” says Anthony Lo, Director of Advanced Design at General Motors Europe, who led the 9-X BioHybrid design team in co-operation with the Saab Brand Center in Sweden.

With its ‘turbine’ wheels placed at all four corners, minimal bodywork overhangs and an extended roof line, the proportions of the three-door Saab 9-X BioHybrid bring a dynamic, new dimension to conventional compact ‘hatchback’ looks.

The smooth ‘fuselage’ bodywork, now without any visible handles or door mirrors, the bold ‘wraparound’ window graphic and deep front grille are all themes inspired by the Aero X coupé concept shown at Geneva two years ago.

The car’s distinctive ‘shooting brake’ silhouette and rear functionality are developed from the 9X multi-role concept shown at Frankfurt in 2001. “You could say we designed this car from back to front, “says Lo. “The shape of the 9X is right for a car of this size, and the longer roof line helps the aerodynamics as well as providing more rear headroom and interior space.”

Echoing Saab’s roots in aircraft design, the 9-X BioHybrid also explores the potential for using active aerodynamics to reduce drag – and fuel consumption – at cruising speeds. Above 70 kph (43 mph), the upper and lower bodywork is reshaped as the roof spoiler automatically extends to further lengthen the roof line and an underbody diffuser is deployed from the bottom of the rear bumper.

The four-seater cabin introduces an entirely new execution of Saab’s driver-focused cockpit design. The central, floor-mounted console, with its angled controls and displays, is now eliminated. Instead, the driver- focused layout incorporates a main instrument panel that sweeps out from the top of the door moulding, arching across the driver. The embedded 3-D graphics appear to be ‘frozen’ in ice, continuing a Scandinavian design theme first seen in the Aero X.

Reflecting the needs of youthful customers, who expect easy access to multi-media both inside and outside the car, Saab has co-operated with Sony Ericsson in providing seamless in-car connectivity for a range of nomadic devices. The result is a wireless interface for streaming data, entertainment and satellite navigation functions for display and use. The interface also allows the simultaneous use of multiple devices when passengers are in the car.

At the rear, the cargo deck features an electrically-powered slide-out floor, which is activated when the bottom half of the split tailgate drops down The floor, and the back of the folding rear seats, is covered by ‘high friction’ rubber carpeting, which ‘grips’ items and holds them securely in place. For easy loading and unloading, aluminum bars automatically rise up and down as the tailgate is opened and closed.

The treatment of light is an important part of Scandinavian design and this is evident in the use of variable, white ambient lighting inside the cabin. The level of suffused illumination can be changed in intensity from bright, cold to warm and soft. It’s a personalized feature that could even be programmed, for example, to reflect the pattern of the changing seasons

“This car shows how our concept work can be carried forward into a compact format,” adds Anthony Lo. “It has a number of features which we will be developing further, such as the new driver-focused design theme, the importance of clean, uncluttered surfaces and the easy, seamless connectivity inside the car.”

Technical Specifications

BioPower Engine:

Transversely-mounted, front wheel drive

1398 cc. Four cylinders Bore/stroke: 73.4/ 82.6 mm. Aluminum cylinder head, cast iron block

DOHC, chain-driven. Four valves per cylinder.

Forged steel crankshaft, steel connecting rods. Aluminum pistons, oil spray cooled.

Direct Injection with centrally-mounted injectors. VVT, inlet and exhaust

Sodium-filled exhaust valves

Compression Ratio: 10.2: 1

Intercooled turbocharger. Max. Boost Pressure: 1.6 bar

Dual-mass flywheel. Saab engine management

Max power (E85):......... 200 hp (147 kW) @ 5000 rpm.

Max.torque (E85):........ 280 Nm (207 lb.ft) @ 1750-5000 rpm

Max power (gasoline):... 170 hp (125 kW) @ 5200 rpm.

Max.torque (gasoline):.. 230 Nm (170 lb.ft) @ 1500-5200 rpm

Hybrid System

Electric motor/generator with lithium ion battery pack.

Electric power boost, regenerative braking, fuel cut-off, automatic engine re-start

Transmission:

6-spd manual gearbox, automated clutch, sequential gear selection, steering wheel controls

Suspension:

Front: Damper/coil struts, aluminum lower A-arm. Anti-roll bar.

Rear: Torsion beam, two trailing links, coil springs and dampers. Anti-roll bar

Steering:

Rack and pinion, Electrical power assistance.

Wheels, Tires:

21inch, 245/35R21

Brakes:

Hydraulic, dual circuit, vacuum booster. Discs: 345 mm / 345 mm (all ventilated)

Performance Data

(projected figures)

0 - 100 km/h (0-62 mph): 7.9 secs (E85)

8.3 secs (gasoline)

80 -120 km/h (50-75 mph), 5^th gear: 8.8 secs (E85)

11.2 secs (gasoline)

Top Speed, 6^th gear: 216 km/h /134 mph (E85)

192 km/h / 119 mph (gasoline)

Fuel consumption (combined cycle): 6.4 l/100km (E85)

4.9 l/100km (gasoline)

CO₂ emissions 105 g/km (E85)

117 g/km (gasoline)