Gold medal effort! The Swede's cross an Aston with a Corvette and we're loving it!

Aero X Concept Showcases Future Saab Design Direction

Inspired by Saab's aviation heritage and Scandinavian roots

Previews more progressive design language
Innovative opening canopy eliminates doors and windshield pillars

"Green Power" from 400 hp BioPower engine using 100 percent ethanol fuel

All-wheel drive, carbon fiber bodywork

North American debut at New York auto show in April

The Saab Aero X concept harnesses the power of Saab's aviation and Scandinavian roots to make a unique statement in performance car design. Conceived as a study to explore future design directions, its innovative features preview the development of an enhanced design language that will inspire future Saab products.

As one would expect from Saab, this dynamic two-seater sports coupe breaks with automotive design convention both outside and inside.

First, there are no doors...or windshield pillars. That's because the Saab Aero X adopts a cockpit canopy, just as you would see on a jet aircraft. It offers the Aero X pilot full 180 degree vision, and also facilitates entry and exit from its low-slung cabin.

Thrust for the all-wheel-drive Saab Aero X also comes from a powerplant with a difference. The 400-hp, twin-turbo, BioPower V6 engine is fueled entirely by ethanol, a sustainable energy source that is kinder to the environment by cutting fossil CO2 emissions. The "green power" of this advanced engine gives new meaning to the phrase "performance with responsibility."

Inside, the Saab Aero X's cockpit also adds a new dimension to clean Scandinavian interior design by completely eliminating conventional dials and buttons. Instead, Saab has applied techniques derived from Swedish glass and precision instrument making, displaying data on glass-like acrylic 'clear zones' in graphic 3-D images.

atomicbri - 2/28/2006 10:06:19 AM

+1 Boost

TOo me its sad this Saab will never see the light of day... Built off a Corvette I bet this is one Saab that could have shared a platform! It doesn't look anything like the 'Vette so there was a glimmer of hope that perhaps GM would start giving diiferent sheetmetal and all to something it wants to clone. I know most of the car is pure concept, but I would love to see the wrap around front glass on Saabs again (like tho old 900's, pre-GM influence) I always thought this was a very Saab feature and it makes its appearance once again on this concept. Come on GM, breathe life back into Saab, don't make another Saablazer and crap like that!!

driverAlex - 3/2/2006 10:12:07 PM

+1 Boost

Where the hell did the saabs of the late 80s-early 90's go? My dad had a 1990 Saab 900S, and there was not another car on the road (other than another saab) that looked like it. This car is a pathetic attempt to bring saab back to its 'glory years', but with the General in control, saab will just continue to give us more subaru make-offs and Chevy rebadges. I wish saab would reinvent its individuality and loose the american act it has going on. The only saab Id currently consider owning is the 93 Sport Combi, at least its original.
This car will never be produced and I think its worthless for Saab r&d to spend money on this. If they really wanted to get serious, they'd come up with a new, larger flagship car that brought back the individuality of the late 80s.

zombie8 - 3/3/2006 1:30:27 AM

+1 Boost

Wow, is that a jet? He he. I actually like the looks of it - not very GM-looking. However...

"Thrust for the all-wheel-drive Saab Aero X also comes from a powerplant with a difference. The 400-hp, twin-turbo, BioPower V6 engine is fueled entirely by ethanol, a sustainable energy source that is kinder to the environment by cutting fossil CO2 emissions. The "green power" of this advanced engine gives new meaning to the phrase "performance with responsibility."

I would hope that engine design runs better than a Vega did. I wouldn't trust GM to put a power plant like that together. Ethanol is B.S. too. You use more energy (read: fuel and electrity)creating ethanol than it gives off. Ethanol was a subsidy (gift) from the govt. to the corn growers. A noble gesture, I guess, since it's better than throwing more money at oil and pharmaceuticals.