After revealing the first official information and images on the 9-X "Air" BioHybrid Concept, Saab also revealed the first video of the concept.

The 9-X Air runs on E85 fuel. The engine delivers a 200 hp, giving 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 8.1 seconds and projected CO2 tailpipe emissions of just 107 g/km over the combined cycle.

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2008 Saab 9-X "Air" BioHybrid Concept - video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 18 September 2008 19:42 EST.

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Saab will unveil at the Paris Auto Show the 9-X "Air" BioHybrid, a concept that redefines the look of a four-seat convertible by exploiting the distinction between a folding roof and a folding soft-top.

The 9-X Air was conceived in parallel with its 9-X BioHybrid sibling and, as a result, it is a design free from compromise or adaptation. The shape of the windshield and frontal styling, for example, was designed to work in both applications. The two cars share a focus on efficiency, with a powertrain that uses engine rightsizing, turbocharging, biofuel and hybrid technology to deliver sporty performance together with a significantly reduced environmental impact.

Running on E85 fuel (85% bioethanol/ 15% gasoline), the engine delivers a sporty 200 hp, giving 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 8.1 seconds and projected CO2 tailpipe emissions of just 107 g/km over the combined cycle. Compared to gasoline, the overall environmental impact on a source-to-wheel basis of using E85 is even more beneficial.

Press release after the jump.

Saab 9-X "Air" BioHybrid Concept originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 18 September 2008 03:50 EST.

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As previously reported, GM will unveil at the Paris Auto Show a new concept car that previews the 9-1 production car. It will be called 9X Air concept and it was previewed in Detroit before its official launch in France.

Few details were revealed about the concept. All we know is that it will feature a soft top, a speedster profile and a high-tech gauge panel and will be available with two USB ports and a battery you can’t change.

Saab 9X Air concept first official images originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 05:40 EST.

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Saab will unveil at the Paris Auto Show the 9-3X crossover and a preview version of the next-generation 9-3.

The 9-3X is a variant of the current 9-3 Sportwagon estate featuring XWD four-wheel-drive system plus raised ground clearance, extra under-body protection, larger bumpers and other SUV-alike styling details. It will compete with models like Subaru Legacy Outback, Volvo XC70, Audi Allroad and Skoda Octavia Scout.

The 9-3 will be unveiled in 2010 or 2011 and will be based on GM’s Delta platform (shared with the Chevrolet Cruze, next-generation Vauxhall Astra and related models).

The 9-3 concept is a convertible version of the 9-X Biohybrid concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Saab 9-3X and 9-3 concept to be revealed at the Paris Auto Show originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 5 August 2008 14:41 EST.

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The Saab 9-X Concept was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show and was supposed to be a preview version of the future 9-1. But now company insiders revealed the concept has been put on hold because it has to be "re-defined".

The problem is the platform of the car. It seems that 9-X could not survive translation to a much smaller platform, and possible lower price tag, and could simply become a more conventional premium supermini in the mould of the upcoming Polo-based Audi A1.

Features such as the active aerodynamics package - which saw the 9-X’s rear spoiler and rear undertray extend when the car was travelling at speed in order to improve economy - would probably be lost, as would the innovative interior design.

Anyway the 9-X Concept will still be used into the future 9-3 line-up as a kind of three-door ’eco-coupe’.

The production version of the 9-X concept was supposed to be unveiled in 2011, but will need to wait a bit longer for it.

Saab 9-X put on hold originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 1 August 2008 12:30 EST.

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Saab will unveil a new 9-3 concept this October at the Paris Auto Show. This is the third concept to come out this year, and this time it’s the 9-X Concept Convertible.

The successor of the current 9-3 will not be based on the same platform as the Opel Insignia, as originally intended. Instead it will likely share the same platform with the smaller Opel Astra. Also still in the works is a new 9-1 to slot under the 9-3 and share a platform with the Opel Corsa.

It seems that the 9-X concept presented at the Geneva Motor Show was not a preview version of the first 9-1 as originally reported. Instead it was another hint of the next generation 9-3.

Saab 9-3 Concept to be revealed in Paris originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 31 July 2008 11:20 EST.

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Already labeled “Best Concept” by AutoWeek Magazine upon its world debut at the Geneva auto show last March, the Saab 9-X BioHybrid has been voted “Specialty Concept Car of the Year” by a jury of 25 professional North American automotive journalists. The award ceremony took place at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan.

Now in its 7th rendition, the annual Concept Car of the Year Awards recognize those vehicles that are most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry. The winners were selected from 40 concept cars and 12 production preview vehicles that made their North American debut during the 2008 auto show season.

The 9-X BioHybrid 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.

Saab 9-X BioHybrid - Specialty Concept Car of the Year originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 25 June 2008 09:18 EST.

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2008 Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro

2008 Audi Q7 Coastline Concept

2008 Pininfarina Sintesi

2009 Volkswagen Scirocco

2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

2008 Audi R8 TDI Le Mans

2008 Renault Megane Coupe

2008 Seat SportCoupe Bocanegra

Mazda2 Three-Door

2009 Jaguar XKR-S

2009 Toyota IQ

2009 Aston Martin DB9

2008 Spyker C8 Aileron

2009 Infiniti FX50

This week in brief originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 7 March 2008 17:21 EST.

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The editors of AutoWeek, one of North America’s most respected and longest standing automotive enthusiast magazines, have voted the Saab 9-X BioHybrid "Best Concept" upon its world debut at the auto show in Geneva this week. With this award, the Saab 9-X BioHybrid premium compact joins the very successful Saab Aero X coupe concept which received AutoWeek’s "Best in Show" honors upon its debut in Geneva, two years ago.

"We are honored by this important recognition from the expert editors of AutoWeek," said Steve Shannon, Saab Automobile USA general manager. "The way the 9-X BioHybrid was welcomed by the world’s press and the public in Geneva has exceeded many optimistic expectations. Following in footsteps of the highly inspirational Aero X, as well as the 9-4X BioPower crossover concept which debuted in Detroit just a few weeks ago, the 9-X BioHybrid demonstrates that the Saab brand has tremendous potential."

The 9-X BioHybrid, which is scheduled to make its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show press days on March 19, 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.

Saab 9-X BioHybrid Voted "Best Concept" at Geneva originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 6 March 2008 12:19 EST.

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Saab unveiled today the 9-X BioHybrid Concept, a preview version of the 2010 9-1, a model that will come to compete with models like BMW 1-Series. The 9-X BioHybrid evolves visual design themes from the award-winning Aero X coupe (shown Geneva 2006) and multi-dimensional 9X (shown Frankfurt 2001) concepts.

The 9-X BioHybrid Concept is powered by a 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine, optimized for bioethanol (E85) fuel that delivers 200 hp. The 9-X BioHybrid 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.

At the front, the deep grille, that concave styling line in the hood pressing and the ‘wraparound’ windshield are inspired by the award-winning Aero X concept shown at Geneva two years ago. The 9-X BioHybrid cuts a unique silhouette in compact car design. The longer roof line and ‘sawn off’ rear styling contributes to a better aerodynamic performance and provides more interior room than a conventional compact hatchback with a sloping screen and rear trunk lid deck.

Press release after the jump.

Saab 9-X BioHybrid originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 3 March 2008 13:21 EST.

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We first believe that Saab’s Concept that will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show will be called 9-1X, but latest sources say it will actually called 9-X BioHybrid.

In terms of design, exterior styling is said to be based on the Aero X and 9X concepts. Finally, Saab’s concept will be powered by a 1.4-liter 200 Hp BioPower engine combined with an electric motor.

Saab's concept to Geneva to be called 9-X BioHybrid originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 29 February 2008 16:17 EST.

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