Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept Drops Top Live In Paris

Squint just right and you’ll be able to see what the Saab 9-1 will look like. The Saab 9-X Air seeks to interpret traditional design cues into a more modern, smaller package that will be both fun to drive, uniquely luxurious and economical. The most successful par of the vehicle isn’t its proposed 1.4-liter turbocharged bioethanol hybrid powertrain, but its seriously nice interior, which does a great drop of adapting strikingly contemporary design themes into a friendly, welcoming package. It’s light years ahead of the plasticy, cheap interiors offered in the current models. Please Saab, find a way to bring something like this to market. Full details follow in the remarkably straight-forward press release, just ignore that whole fake “born from jets” thing. More »

Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept Revealed At Geneva

Joining in on the small hybrid party, GM is showing off this Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept. The styling is familiar, and similar to the 9-4X BioPower. But what's underhood is new; a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that can run on either gasoline or ethanol, making 200 HP on the corn juice. This is mated to GM's next generation hybrid system, which we still don't know much about. Other interesting features are a solar panel on the roof used to help charge the batteries, and an active rear spoiler that elongates the body and reduces drag. For now, the small Saab is a concept; but expect to see it in showrooms before too long, positioned in the same segment as BMW's Mini. And even if this Saab doesn't make it to US shores, this platform will be the same used on the Chevy Volt. Full press-release after the jump. More »