Saab's Hot Flex-Fuel BioHybrids

Saab recently unveiled a stunning pair of concept cars that redefine conventional compact car design. The Saab 9-X BioHybrid and 9-X Air concepts were developed in parallel to address youthful buyers considering smaller car options. Both cars share a flex-fuel/electric hybrid powertrain with exceptional green performance. The two concepts have similar sheetmetal and interior design, but the 9-X Air has what Saab calls a 'canopy top,' allowing open-air driving.

"The Saab brand is on the move," says Jan Ake Jonsson, Saab Automobile's managing director. "The 9-X BioHybrid shows what we could bring to compact car design in a number of areas, such as progressive design, driver focus, and efficient performance. It also shows that we are determined to grow the brand by expanding our product portfolio."

Designed to be sporty, the concepts certainly should offer spirited performance with excellent economy and super-low emissions. The 9-X BioHybrid and Air are powered by a downsized - or 'right-sized' - 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine packaged with GM's latest generation hybrid technology, which pulls power from a lithium-ion battery pack located beneath the rear cargo floor. The small internal combustion engine incorporates direct injection and variable valve timing along with up to 23 psi of turbo boost to produce an impressive 200 horsepower and 207 lbs-ft of torque. The power is routed through a six speed manual transmission with an automatic clutch and fingertip shift control on the steering wheel.

Saab projects the BioHybrid's fuel economy to be about 48 mpg on the combined city/highway cycle. That mileage is possible with a low 117g of CO2 per kilometer. Running E85 ethanol, C02 drops to just 105g per kilometer. In addition to capturing energy from regenerative braking, the BioHybrid also downloads power from a large solar cell embedded in the car's large glass roof to help recharge the Li-ion battery pack. These cars carry the design DNA of Saab's show-stopping Aero-X concept car that was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show. From the three port grille treatment rearward, the BioHybrid and 9-X Air are super-sleek, yet distinctively Saab. The overall look offers a harmonious combination of clean, rounded lines and a muscular build dipped is rich pearl white paint.

While the BioHybrid is very slippery, it also utilizes active aerodynamics to reduce drag and increase down force as required. Above 43 mph, the rear roof spoiler automatically extends rearward to lengthen the roofline. Simultaneously, an underbody diffuser below the rear bumper is deployed for a lower coefficient of drag and increased fuel economy. Under hard braking, the rear spoiler raises to increase down force and improve braking performance.

Saab also manufactures aircraft, as noted by its 'Born From Jets' company tag line, so it's not surprising to see aircraft design elements throughout the BioHybrid. The wheels, for example resemble the fan section of a jet engine. A large wraparound glass treatment mimics the canopy of a fighter jet while the interior offers elements that deliver a cockpit-like feel.

The cabin is finished in contemporary black and white leather and features four individual bucket seats. Driver information is displayed on a series of five display screens behind green illuminated 3-D graphics embedded in the acrylic surface. A fixed hub on the steering wheel rim allows a driver to adapt or minimize information on the displays as needed. Rearview camera screens are situated just above the main displays below the driver's line of sight.

Cargo loading is simplified with an electrically powered cargo deck that extends rearward when the bottom portion of the tailgate is lowered. The cargo hold and rear seat backs are covered with high friction rubber carpeting. With the back open, aluminum bars extend from the floor to allow easily sliding larger items into the hold. Close the rear and these bars lower to a flush position so the cargo rests on the rubber surface.

The 9-X Air's canopy top is an innovative, powered flat-folding roof that Saab designers adapted from the Targa top concept. Saab's canopy top is a cross between a folding hard roof and a traditional softtop, covered in fabric like a convertible to save weight but automatically folding in three sections under the rear deck like a folding hardtop. Both the 9-X BioHybrid and 9-X Air are stunning design exercises that signal an exciting direction for Saab. Now, we're anxiously awaiting Scandinavian design to leave its mark on the compact car market.