This is part 2 of a 2-part entry. It was initially placed in comments by “Jeff” but was such a good and in-depth read that I thought it deserved to come out on to the front page.

Part 1 is here.

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I’ll preface this by saying, yes: Saab should always be a step ahead of the competition, they should be revolutionary with their styling and really give us something inspiring with their design, technology, and feeling.

I think the rear of this concept is onto something in small car design. I honestly think a few minor tweaks, a little more time in the oven, and this 9-1 is good to go. But damn, I will say it is polarizing. They went so far as to put MacBooks around the thing to see what reactions were. And you know what? Just like here, motorshow elite or not, I guarantee people either love it, or hate it. They feel passionately one way or the other, and there you have it: people will see this car and feel that word…passion, towards a Saab. And whether it’s in a positive or negative way, it’s challenging us to react.

That’s what good concepts do, they make us rethink our norms (which consequently is probably why this car looks better everyday you come back to see it). It’s the same phenomenon Apple has seen as of late, people love or hate them, but their intrinsic philosophy has stayed the same, and eventually, that attention has brought people to their brand, and marketshare and revenue have come with it.

But as far as styling trends are concerned, we all saw that the coupe rear end is where car design is headed. Not only the Mercedes CLS, BMW GranTurismo (future 7-series), Aston Rapide, Jaguar XF etc etc have adopted this, but even the BMW X6. And while the back of the X6 has received some bad press and I’ll agree, the front and the back don’t match, it shows that sporting profiles are what people want. Isn’t it ironic that at a time when everyone else is adopting a trend, Saab has dumped it while their current lineup apes sedans designed 10+ years ago? When something is your trademark for so long, and everyone else comes along with their own version of it, you don’t just drop it, you enhance it and celebrate why yours is the original and the best. I’m tired of Saab being regarded publicly as just “that quirky brand.”

And it’s about time good ol’ Maximum Bob Lutz got to see first hand that this brand can ignite this passion.

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Add these to the previous post of Saab 9-X colors provided by Tiago and WooDz.

These ones were sent in by Ted Y (or Saabyurk as he’s know around these parts…) Click on any of them to enlarge.

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Cream:

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Mocha:

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Lime Green:

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I like all the colors this exercise has brought to the table. Most of Saab’s current colors are silver or dark derivatives, which definitely hasn’t always been the case for Saab. They had some really funky colors back in the 96 and 99 days and it’d be fun to see a ‘young’ car like this bring back some funk.

Teemu has emailed through his quick try at what the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept could look like when it morphs into a production version called the Saab 9-1.

As the color variants of 9-X BHC keep coming in, I thought that I could take things bit further and make a Photoshop mockup about how the production 9-1/9-2 might look like. The basics have been kept the same, but some things has been toned down a notch, and the most ridiculous concept car clichés (as huge wheels) have been replaced more practical design (a-pillar & mirrors added, roofline lifted etc…).

I guess we’ll have to wait a while before we’ll find out if I got the design right

It’s certainly interesting to contemplate, especially with regard to the c-pillar, which Teemu has rendered as a more traditional saab hockey stick look here.

The first picture is Teemu’s rendering, and the second is the concept vehicle for comparison.

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And just because it’s there, here’s a look at the clay model fitted with what could be considered some more traditional 5-spokes.

Spotted by Tompa. Click to enlarge.

This is the second-longest comment in Trollhattan Saab history, and I think it well and truly deserves to be transferred here to the front page as a post in its own right. The article comes from “Jeff” and was posted in comments to the poll I had here recently on the 9-X BioHybrid rear end.

I’ve separated it into two parts. This first one looks at the rear end in particular, as well as few tweaks. Thanks Jeff, for all the effort. Your image kicked off the poll and the discussion in the first place, and your comments on it, reproduced here, make for some great reading.

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My gut reaction to first seeing the concept was mixed. After having anticipated the launch of the car for so long (how many years now?) and owning an 01′ 9-3 SE myself, I was hoping that we would see something really progressive, really edgy, really tight, and really SAAB.

Well, I can’t sound as though I’m disappointed. Hats off to Anthony Lo and the rest of the Saab/GM design team for being brave enough to think unconventionally. If what Swade hypothesized is true, and I suspect he’s dead on, that the showing of this concept had been moved up several months and that what we saw was a very raw (or medium-rare perhaps) version of a final concept, then it is an even greater accomplishment. Yes, the interior may look like crap, but come on, you all have to admit, putting driver information displays on the upper door area is pretty genius, and very very jet-cockpit inspired. While the information bar across the top may seem very Honda Civic, the intent for it has been there since my first 900, and evolved into the blip in the current 9-3 dash. This leads me to my most important point about why this whole exercise is intriguing at all.

We often forget about conceptual design and its role in defining a creative vision. I’m an architect, and I can tell you first hand that the creative process is only truly successful when rooted in brave conceputal thinking. It’s clear that the priority of the Aero-X was to explore Saab’s relationship to its jet manufacturing heritage. Perhaps it was a tad literal with the cockpit door, but those details all added up to a beautiful package that we all can agree stopped us cold. I have heard many complaints that Saab should be releasing new products, closer to production grade with interiors more in line with the 9-4x. But I think this concept is really encouraging because it shows us that Saab really is a brand that is trying to completely redefine itself.

In the design world, we often pin up our work on the wall for each other to see, quite often during the initial design phase where we can be collaborative about directions that fresh eyes could take our visions. These auto shows provide the designers with a real review from the public to gauge if they are on the right track. Both of these exercises are critical (thus the word, critique) in the creative process. So while I’d like to go out and buy one in three months, I’m really happy to see the behind the scenes inner workings of GM/Saab, and I’m very happy with what I see.

With the 9-X BioHybrid, I feel the designers did what one of my best design professors liked to call “Frankensteining;” obviously the Aero-X nose and 9-X tail had to be reconciled somehow. This is where the controversy starts.

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This might interest some of the mechanically inclined out there:

Together with the renowned system supplier ContiTech Vibration Control, a business division of Continental AG, BASF has developed the first engine torque rod made of plastic that can withstand high mechanical load. This component serves to secure the vehicle engine and transmission assembly as well as to dampen vibrations and to insulate structure-borne noise. Up to now, highly loaded components such as engine mounts, gear mounts and torque rods have been made exclusively of aluminum or steel. For the development BASF employed its new special polyamide Ultramid® A3WG10 CR together with the distinctly expanded instrument of Integrative Simulation. The part weighs 35% less than its predecessor made of aluminum and has gone into serial production for the Opel Vectra and Saab 9 3. The engine mount system is the primary connection member between the engine/transmission unit and the car body. In addition to high loads, these systems are exposed to temperatures ranging from 30°C to 120°C [-22°F to 248°F] as well as to contamination by oils and other chemicals.

I get nervous when I hear about engine/transmission parts made of plastic, but I guess these companies know what they’re doing…..

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The Saab 9-X Biohybrid is one of the New York Times’ five cars that matter.

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Scientific American walked the Geneva Show floor with the head of design from Mazda, seeking comment on various attractions at the show:

To me what’s interesting is that where Volvo is going in a more emotional design direction, Saab seems to be embracing Scandinavian design more to the extreme. So you see a purity of shapes, the starkness of colors and some reduced elements.

I thought his comments on the Volvo XC60 made for good feelings about the 9-4x too, primarily because of his confirmation of market potential and growth for that sector. It also highlighted the importance of interiors, which the 9-4x has nailed if they produce the essence of the show interior in the production car.

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Sweden is not only leading the world in terms of embracing biofuels, they’re also leading the way in driver education when it comes to environmental responsibility:

All new drivers in Sweden must learn how to drive with the environment in mind. New drivers are being trained to start the car only after engaging first gear, letting off the parking brake, and checking their surroundings. Other tricks like using the highest possible gear when you are driving as well as using engine braking as much as possible are also taught.

I’m not sure that the acceleration speeds of the new BSR-tuned TTiD fall within this ethos, but whatever…..

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Robin M is up to #71 in his quest to photograph a different Saab for every day in 2008. And isn’t #71 an absolute pearler!

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It’s time to gauge some public feeling on one of the more controversial parts of the Saab 9-X BioHybrid: the rear.

The long roof makes for a shooting brake style rear end. It allows for a practical storage area at the back with a full load height at the rear door, and it has certain aerodynamic advantages as well.

It’s an unusual look, to see what’s in reality more of a wagon look so sporting. And I’ve gotta say I love it.

It’s evident, though, that some people consider these advantages come at the expense of aesthetics. So there’s been a number of attempts at giving the rear end a more traditional Saab-ish look.

One such attempt is over at Saab History, where Ryan has grafted a SportCombi rear end on to the car. Click here to view that one.

Another one came through in comments, done by Jeff:

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It’s poll time.

Bear in mind that the 9-X shown at Geneva was styled by real, employed automotive designers over a reasonable period of time. The two photoshops have been done on the fly by two people who…….aren’t real employed automotive designers (not to detract from what are obviously quite good attempts here).

You’re voting on the idea more than the actual execution.

Off you go!

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News has just hit the tubes stating that the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept has one the Best Concept Award at the Geneva Motor Show as awarded by Autoweek Magazine.

Here’s the press release:

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GENEVA, March 5 /PRNewswire/ — The AutoWeek editorial staff today announced its Editors’ Choice Award winners for the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

For more than a decade, the editors of the weekly automotive-enthusiast magazine have scoured show floors in Detroit, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo, selecting winners in four categories: Best in Show, Best Concept, Most Significant and Most Fun.

The 2008 AutoWeek Editors’ Choice Award winners for the Best of Geneva are:

BEST IN SHOW: Alfa Romeo 8C Spider- “It’s hard to argue with its sexiness. Who wouldn’t want to be seen cruising in this pure, unabashed lust mobile,” said AutoWeek Editor and Associate Publisher Dutch Mandel.

MOST SIGNIFICANT: Ford Fiesta- “This was a unanimous decision by the entire AutoWeek panel — all day, everyday. If they get the marketing even close, it could well be the silver bullet for Ford in conquering Europe. This completes a strong line up.”

BEST CONCEPT: Saab 9-X BioHybrid- “It shows that the heart rate is still there. It moves them into the most competitive European segment and is also the next Astra platform. This is proof that General Motors has its global Bob Lutz-vision working.”

MOST FUN: Fiat 500 Abarth- “It’s a car you just want to squeeze its cheeks and hold close to you. If we could fit it in our airplane’s overhead compartment, we would have brought it home.”

The magazine’s March 17, 2008 issue will take an in-depth look at the winners, and some of the finalists, of this year’s Geneva show. Photos of the winners are available for download on AutoWeek.com.

The AutoWeek editorial staff will announce its 2008 Editors’ Choice Awards for the Paris Motor Show in September. For more information on the Editors’ Choice Awards, past winners and extensive auto show coverage, visit AutoWeek.com.

AutoWeek is the only weekly automotive-enthusiast magazine in North America, providing its passionate readers with up-to-date information like no other automotive news source. With nearly 50 years of unbiased editorial, it delivers the latest on vehicle reviews, motorsports, events and trends, personalities, auto show coverage and more.

Congrtulations to the Advanced Design team at Saab. The 9-X BioHybrid Concept now joins the Saab Aero-X as a Best Concept winner.

Built it and we will come.

Our guys on the scene, Marcel and Gian-Luca, have been wandering the show floor at Geneva today. They’ve sent in a number of photos from the Saab stand, as well as a few more detail shots of the Saab 9-X BHC vehicle (I’m sick of writing BioHybrid Concept – doh!)

Click on any of the pics to enlarge.

Here’s a few more shots of the 9-X in detail. Close up access to the car is apparently quite limited. First up is a closer look of the camera/mirror in profile.

Next is a closer look at the front headlamp. You can see the light pipe extending across the front of the vehicle.

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