UPDATED!
I now have the full press kit of photos loaded up. Click on any shot to enlarge.
There’s some animation on the Saab International site.
——
As mentioned above, the cashed up guys at Autoblog with their roaming broadband connection got photos up straight away. Here’s a sample.
Ummm, the wheels are backwards.
I think it looks good, especially from the rear.
Aggressive stance. I’m impressed.
I love it a very nice #ss
http://www.saabforum.nl/modules.php?set_albumName=nacra-93&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php
one word… saabgasm
this looks like a sweet concept car, i would be happy having oone anyday, however for now i’m going to hold my overall judgement until there are more for how much this will actually look like the real thing, but its great looking all the same. I know thats a contradiction but hey…
i’m not keen on whats been shown of the interior so far though….
The car looks absolutely stunning!
And I guess Saab repays loyalty and support with…. nothing?
I love it a very nice #ss
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/10_live_saab_b.jpg
The interior looks a little too much like a Civic, but not so much that it would keep me from buying it. I would still like to see the window switches and additional buttons in the center so that you can use them with your free hand.
I hope it comes with a manual.
Overall, it’s a very good looking car. Those massive wheels wouldn’t last a day in Canada, but I guess the streets of Geneva have fewer potholes.
I really like the interior design. It’s refreshing and it’s new. If this is Saab’s new look they’re going after, I think they will be quite successful.
one thing i dont like about the car is the interior. i like the more traditional 9-4x concept interior.
Simply stunning!
Brilliant, althought the performance data looks a little disappointing but when you are getting that kind of MPG, it is tough to complain.
I would love to see the cargo space/back seat to see how practical it is. If they can master that, I will buy one.
I think they missed the mark. I’m underwhelmed. I prefer the front on the 9-3 and don’t understand the back at all. Where is the 900 slant back? Is that some kind of pop up spoiler, we didn’t ask for that. I feel as if from a design standpoint, this is a set back. Mechanicals and the technology are great though. Just cause it is a Saab doesn’t mean that i have to like it you know. The car that i and I’m sure others had envisioned was a Viggen profile with a new 9-3 front end. But maybe these were just my feelings?
I may be missing something, but is Saab going to release actual pictures of the car at some point? Rendered images only go so far.
Stunning, Oerall it looks gorgeous, especially the interior. The back….. still not so sure, looks a bit weird as a shape, love the rear lights though
SilverAero – The spoiler is part of the 9X’s active aerodynamics. It helps with braking and also wind resistance. Just like those little side-mirrors.
YYyyeeeeaaaaahhhhh!!!
I never thought this would happen after the 9-4x, but here it is: swedish, clean, simple, practical, saabish, with great details and a coherent design…
I’m CRAAZYYYY for it
it has loads of personality and I want to buy one!!! 
…and that’s how to design “turbine” wheels!
I just hope they keep it close the the concept for production!
I LOVVEEE IT!!!
Looks okay except for the rear end. From the inside it would be impossible to see out of, and from the outside it looks overweight. I don’t mind that they copied the Civic interior, just that it looks like they copied the bad parts instead of the good parts. Hopefully it looks better in person.
Swade’s link to Autoblog has actual photos from Geneva
The interior is the best part — certainly the most cutting edge. That’s where the promise of this car lies, and in the BioPower motor.
The exterior is nice but I’m not sure I like the C pillar area at all. It seems very un-Saab like to have such a visual obstruction in the rear. And the pop up spoiler has to be a cute car show gimmick, I doubt it will show up in the real world. The cost of making one work reliably probably cannot be recovered at the price point Saab will be selling the 9-1.
But overall quite an excellent effort. I definitely want to see these interior developments in the next 9-5.
I’m having a tough time liking the look of that rear.
I agree with SilverAero – underwhelmed. It’s a nice enough looking car, but I thought we were promised something ‘iconic.’ Outside of the Aero-X, I’m not digging Anthony Lo-Expectations designs.
I just looked at the actual photos and wow, that rear looks even worse in person. Who grafted the van rear end on this thing?
The wheels and interior need improvement… but the rest of this wicked concept is just … well… extremely WICKED!!!
Noticed @ autoblog.com some feedback isn’t positive but the dutch autoblog.nl is more enthusiast (It must be a real SAAB)
LOOOVE the car!!
110% Saab! Different, good looking, sporty and smart!
Go Saab, GOOOO!!!!
Oh cool, look! It’s another Saab concept that looks almost identical to all the other concepts that they won’t make.
For those that say it is not iconic, I have to disagree. This takes huge steps forward in many ways for design, features, etc.
Again, we knew the general shape would be similar to the small Saab concepts from a couple of years ago.
People always say on this site that you don’t want something mainstream in Saab, what else do you want?
Looking at the Autoblog pictures, you can see the “SAAB” badge over the rear light bar, just like they did for the 9-4x. I dislike that intensely – it makes the light bar look too busy, and makes the “SAAB” badge too hard to read when the tail lights are activated.
But in the computer generated images, there is no “SAAB” on the rear light bar.
Shall we conclude that the person generating the computer images has more taste than the people who are prepping the actual car for the show?
I”m not feeling this at all…… It looks like a Van from the rear… Maybe I was thinking something along the lines of an A3, Mazda 3speed or the old toaster oven’s they call Civics…… Maybe even a more round version of the Mustang GT fox bodies from the 80′s and early 90′s.
Maybe time will change my stance.
The specs at saab.com do not give the weight, which makes me fear that it will be a pig (especially given the 0-100 times).
I also wonder why they are using a dual-mass flywheel. These are typically used to mask other problems (vibration?). One common mod for VW’s is to swap-out the dual-mass flywheel for a regular one in order to get better clutch feel, acceleration and reliability (at the expense of some more “harshness”).
I also wonder why the top speed is relatively low. It’s got plenty of horsepower and (supposedly) great aerodynamics, so it should go at least 20km/h faster.
To silveraero, yeah, they were just your feelings, it was pretty obvious from every previous Saab concept that this hatch would be much more 9-3SC than OG 9-3.
And I, for one am pleased about that, it’s great to see Saab looking forward and not giving in to retro pandering.
Saab is and always has been about modern, practical designs. This car looks like it will have just as much usable space in the back as the Saab hatches of yore, but it does so in a modern design that’s like nothing else on the road today.
It wasn’t the hatch specifically that was so special about the C900, etc, it was the fact that they were nothing like anything else on the road.
I was expecting something like a 9-3 sporthatch with the traditional beltline and hockeystick rear window. This is different, but I really like it.
I guess it looks ok. It is really difficult to judge as it is so obviously just another concept – not a real thing.
I sort of wished it would have some elements which could survive into production but now I think it doesn’t. (Except the front end, maybe).
The interior (except the steering wheel) looks interesting in a positive way but where on earth you need all those displays ?
The performance values (especially the top speed) really look overly pessimistic regarding the size and power of the vehicle.
can’t understand that Saab did not provide you with news about the car like they did it with Autoblog, nice the little one by the way…
What is everyone’s thought on price for this car, obviously a lot of the features discussed will be taken out or will be options? I think if they position it in the $23K to $30k USD range, it could do real well, especially with some of the advancements in tech, MPG, etc.
Nice to see that the wrap-around windshield is back. And I like the styling cues from the Aero-X: The front and the black line on the side. But why no XWD?
I’m interested in the possibilities of using bluetooth to control different parts of the car. ie automatic unlock, auto-start, iPod, phone, etc.
Are they working concepts or just theory?
Hallelujah !!!
Matt – I think $23K to $30K would be about right. Hopefully the $30K version is their Aero model.
The only thing I’m still having some troubles with is the shape of the side window at the back. It’s too much Kia or Hyundai or something. I like the normal “hockey-stick” better. Other that that, I think it looks great and distinctive. Nice to see the badge on the hood. Would like that at the back as well.
Hockey Stick?
That being said, I think it looks fine. Now, what will the actual 9-1(x) look like?
~P
LOVE IT
Swade, you’re still the best forum for all this!!!
I really like this – it makes up for the rather ‘flat’ 9-4x. Together I can see the styling cues they share in the bonnet line, rear lights and badging. I just wish the 9-4x had been as adventurous.
As for rear vision, I would have no worries in this regard – with proper rear view mirrors (surely these side cameras will be lost to cost-cutting?) and rear park assist, this is a non-issue and no worse than many estate cars or two-seaters.
LOVE IT
NO GO
This is the next show car again. We want AND Saab need a 9-1 for REAL. The car is a mix of 9-3x and 9x. Thats all (except the engine which sounds great)
to GM: in german, we say “Taten zählen mehr als tausend Worte (Showcars)”
Give us the 9-1
Probably sounds a bit harsh, but I fancy not the Rav4 “hockey-stick” and the S-class type bulging wheel arches. The rear end is a mess, looking fat and boxy, and those moveable spoiler thingies are just F&F at the best…
A great looking modern Saab a new icon. It looks great!! I also am very pleased that that they haven´t turned it into some retro car. A new generation of Saab…for a new generation of people! I love it
Wow! Looks great….
but hang on: that’s what I thought about my 9-3 convertible, too… that must mean that the 9-X’s indicators wobble, the front grille is loose, the steering is off-center and the engine breaks down after 1k miles. And all of course supported by a dealership who is not interested in you once they’ve had your money.
Saab can develop cars like this until the cows come home. If they do not get the basics of manufacturing right then it all amounts to nothing. IMHO, Saab customers today pay for a reputation from yesteryear.
Ken h – I do agree with you about the rear being a mess, the seem around the door is such an eye-sore.
However, I do not think the spoiler (active aerodynamics) is F&F at all. More like too exotic for this kind of car (Ferarri, Porsche, etc…). If you come to think of it, some of the technology in those kind of vehicles eventually make it into production cars.
Any word on XWD for the 9-1? Thats the most disappointing thing about the concept.
And Swade thanks for waking up at the crack of dawn to get us all of this information!
There was no other place we would want to go.
You’re welcome, Joemama. Though the crack of dawn happened a few hours later….
This one’s gonna have to grow on me.
And the word from the slaresfront/trenches is:AAAAAAARGH!ANOTHER FRIGGIN’ CONCEPT CAR!!!!!!!!!!!! I honestly was working under the impression we were going to see something which was realistically 18 months(give or take)away from production.This is just another excercise in design masturbation!I love the design but it does’nt stand a Swedish snowballs chance in hell to being in my showroom in anything resembling that form,interior or exterior.
I second that SaabLance. This is what a Saab compact car “might” look like…
Stunning. And Saab has a very exciting future. So what if its a concept? Nobody complained at Aero X being a concept. It shows Saab’s design language. Concepts are abit of fun for the designers to show off and gauge public recation to new ideas. People who say it makes up for the 9-4x not being as adventurious, the big difference is that the 9-4x is almost production ready. This is not. Personally I think everything upto the B-pillar will make production to the 9-1. Lets just sit back and enjoy the company that we all love showing off. We dont know what the new models will look like. But we do know that they are coming. Good time are coming for Saab.
Thank you swade for your efforts as always. Keep it up
After reading the microsite I can honestly say the BEST feature that I really hope makes the production model is the side mirrors that open/close from the side of the car.
I bet that will be the norm in 5-7 years from whenever Saab releases it.
Well, it’s a concept car. Still far from the commercial version.
Front looks very nice, modern, aggressive. The silhouette is quite sexy as well. But the back… frankly it’s not that.
The interior is maybe too futuristic. I don’ t fall in love with it. It’s too much like a revolution even if interesting. But it’s a concept car.
I will pay it a visit this week in Geneva to confront my impressions.
But for God’s sake stop with concept cars, bring a new real car to buy !
So, what is your opinion of the car Swade?
DID ANYONE NOTICED????
>>>>>>>>>>>>>The front car in the 9-1 minisite is not a 9-1!!!!!!!!!
lol edit: it´s a 93 wagon…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>The front car in the 9-1 minisite is not a 9-1!!!!!!!!!
Then it must be the production version, aleady in the pipeline….
This car is …..Ugly . Oups sorry , that’s just my feeling .
I don’t regret not to go to Geneva finally .I’m dissapointed by the design of this car .
Volvo used to build “Bricks” in the past and now Saab built “Bricks”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>The front car in the 9-1 minisite is not a 9-1!!!!!!!!!
It’s a 9-5.
i must say i am quite dissapointed. i think i am the only one that likes the rear end, because the front – Copy Paste Aero X. i think the front is too much “production car with a concept twist” and it doesnt match the rear.
and no rear mirrors? come on, its not 1991, a car looks naked without something sticking out on the sides, a.k.a. mirrors.
but i really like the interior, except for the steering wheel. two spokes is too much bus for me, three is sport!
/Niklas Palm
I know this is a concept and not the real thing, but just a few things:
1. The interior is very Honda Civicish, esepecially the 2 spoke steering wheel. At least go to a 3 spoke, please?
2. Do we know if the production model will be exclusively a 3 door, or if there will be a 5 door as well?
3. Sign me up for the 5 door…
No Turbin, it’s a 9-3 SportsHatch, I was to fast skipping the intro.
And gone was the clamshell hood…
My biggest worry with this car is not the looks, but how far from a production car it is. I honestly hoped it would have been a bit closer to a production model than this.
Aahh, the clamshell hood is still there
I like it. I like the Bio-hybrid part the most. This is what we need, low Co2 emmisions and decent fuel economy. Enough of this 300HP nonsence. Customers want 40 to 50 mpg now or nothing. If you build it, they will come!
You’re not alone Niklas
I feel exactly the same.
But I’d be quite happy if it reached production essentially the same!
Aaaahh that’s what I wanted to see!
I really like this one, Saab. Very nice use of the new design language! Looks aggressive, yet gentle. And the back is really cool. But I think the turbine wheels should’ve been dropped for a modern take on the directional superaero rims. Sweet, sweet 3-spoke come back
Btw, anyone else see a bit of the AMC Pacer in this car? Looking at the side, with the rear window sweeping up like that? hehehe not a bad thing of course.
I hope they fix the mistakes IE: black ground effect not going all the way around abd the trunk being unfinished.Looks like something Daewoo would do.