Fortunately, today I’m not talking about a Saab misstep.
Mr. Lo has done very well with the Saab AeroX and Saab 9-4x concept vehicles, and I think that the 9x is a good one, too, I just don’t know how involved Anthony Lo was at the time that concept took shape. In any event, he’s created a fresh approach to design that seems to resonate with us, the Saab faithful, and hopefully with the prospective Saab buyers out there.
Other marques, even prestigious ones, haven’t had Saab’s success with concept vehicles of late. [Read the rest of this entry →]
With their own reference to it in the CGI of the Saab 9-1 to be shown in Geneva next month, Saab have sparked a little bit of retro-interest in the Saab 9x concept car, which debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Setember 2001.
As Trollhattan Saab doesn’t have a full entry on the Saab 9x, it’s now long past time to get familiar again.
I don’t know how much of the Saab 9x concept car has influenced the Saab 9-1 concept that we’ll see next month, but it was one heck of a design, as you’ll see here. Bear in mind though, that this is a pure concept car, much in the way the Aero-X was. The Saab 9-1 concept that we’ll see next month will be much closer to being a production vehicle and most likely won’t be anywhere near as radical.
In the meantime, sit back, relax and enjoy the Saab 9x
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Summary: the multidynamic Saab 9X breaks cover at Frankfurt
Saab’s mould-breaking Saab 9X concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) on September 11, challenges the automotive rulebook by opening up new dimensions in car design.
The stunning Saab 9X is a four dimensional, sports car that defies automotive convention. For the first time, features commonly associated with a coupe, roadster, wagon and pick-up are all combined within one vehicle.
The extremely compact Saab 9X is a car designed to combine the highest levels of driving satisfaction with great flexibility of use. A car that is impossible to pigeonhole, the Saab 9X may be best described as a sporty, multi-dynamic car that captures the essence of Saab’s brand appeal.
The recent posts on Saab design, and the comparison between the Aero-X and Saab 9x concepts from a birds-eye view both cught the imagination of some.
I’ve gone looking for other similarities and……well…..to be honest they’re not that similar. The Saab 9x is more of a utilitarian vehicle. One that they could tidy up a little and actually make if they wanted to. I hope they do so as a 9-1. The Aero-X is a totally mind-blowing eyepopper and won’t ever see a production model that’s remotely close to the real thing.
I decided to post these interior shots, as they’re about as close as the two concpets get. As you can see, the middle tunnel is retained, as is the cool interior lighting ideas. The center consoles are both pretty big, though the Aero-X’s seems to flow a bit more and was certainly a peaceful place to hang out when I got to sit in it.
Both dashboards are dominated by a single-instrument display in the center.
So for what it’s worth, here are the two interiors – the Saab 9x first and the Aero-X following. Click the pics to enlarge.
There’s been some renewed interest in the Saab 9x concept car due to the Design series from last week, and the overhead comparison photos with the Aero-X.
MarkoA asked in comments if there’s video of the Saab 9x – and there is.
I had it posted once previously, but it seems to have been removed by whoever loaded it onto Google’s server.
Thankfully, there’s another copy on YouTube. So here it is!
Either this or the 9-3x would be a worthwhile template for the Saab 9-1 of the future. No doubt about it.
