Award-Winning Saab Concept on Tour in the United States

Saab 9-X BioHybrid at Washington Times Car Show this Weekend

DETROIT, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Hot on the heels of the well-attended
Saab Owners Convention in Devens near Boston last weekend, the award-winning
2008 Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept is scheduled to be on display at the
Washington Times Car Show this Sunday, August 31. The event will take place in
the Spring Hill Recreation Center near McLean, Virginia just west of
Washington, D.C.
Organized by veteran automotive journalist Vern Parker of the Washington
Times, the event traditionally offers an impressive array of classics as well
as a peek into the car future. Following the tire marks of the Cadillac
Sixteen Concept a few years ago, the Saab 9-X will be among the vehicles
playing that forward looking role at this year's show. For more details, see
www.washingtontimes.com/multimedia/2008/01/vern_parker_at_the_washington.html
Already labeled "Best Concept" by AutoWeek Magazine upon its world debut
at the Geneva auto show last March, the Saab 9-X BioHybrid was voted
"Specialty Concept Car of the Year" by a jury of 25 professional North
American automotive journalists. The award ceremony took place last June at
the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan.
"The Saab 9-X BioHybrid blends organic form with ecologically sound
propulsion for both aesthetic and environmental appeal," said jury panel
member Arv Voss of Auto Impressions. Added Bob Kroupa of the Automotive
Writers Group: "Saab takes center stage with a new design approach for a
compact vehicle. With the BioHybrid turbo engine included, we have a winner."
"We are honored by this important recognition from an expert North
American media organization," said Saab Automobile USA marketing director
Roger McCormack accepting the award. "Following in the footsteps of the
highly inspirational Aero X, and the 9-4X BioPower crossover concept which
also debuted earlier this year, the 9-X BioHybrid demonstrates that Saab is
truly on the move."
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.
Exploring design themes from Saab's award-winning Aero X and earlier 9X
concepts, the 9-X BioHybrid also demonstrates the potential for
ultra-efficient power from a 200 hp (147 kW), 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine
backed by GM's next-generation hybrid system. Projected combined cycle CO2
emissions of just 105 g/km on E85 fuel are testimony to the promise of this
package.
The interior showcases an entirely new expression of Saab's driver-focused
cockpit design, together with innovative, seamless connectivity for personal
nomadic devices and a rear cargo deck with a 'low friction' loading system.
"This car is all about efficiency in design and performance," says Anthony
Lo, director of Advanced Design at General Motors Europe, who led the 9-X
BioHybrid design team in co-operation with the Saab Brand Center in Sweden.
With its 'turbine' wheels placed at all four corners, minimal bodywork
overhangs and an extended roof line, the proportions of the three-door Saab
9-X BioHybrid bring a dynamic, new dimension to conventional compact
'hatchback' looks.
The smooth 'fuselage' bodywork, now without any visible handles or door
mirrors, the bold 'wraparound' window graphic and deep front grille are all
themes inspired by the Aero X coupe concept shown at Geneva two years ago.
The car's distinctive 'shooting brake' silhouette and rear functionality
are developed from the 9X multi-role concept shown at Frankfurt in 2001. "You
could say we designed this car from back to front," says Lo. "The shape of the
9X is right for a car of this size, and the longer roof line helps the
aerodynamics as well as providing more rear headroom and interior space."
Echoing Saab's roots in aircraft design, the 9-X BioHybrid also 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.
The four-seater cabin introduces an entirely new execution of Saab's
driver-focused cockpit design. The central, floor-mounted console, with its
angled controls and displays, is now eliminated. Instead, the driver-focused
layout incorporates a main instrument panel that sweeps out from the top of
the door moulding, arching across the driver. The embedded 3-D graphics appear
to be 'frozen' in ice, continuing a Scandinavian design theme first seen in
the Aero X.
Reflecting the needs of youthful customers, who expect easy access to
multi-media both inside and outside the car, Saab has co-operated with Sony
Ericsson in providing seamless in-car connectivity for a range of nomadic
devices. The result is a wireless interface for streaming data, entertainment
and satellite navigation functions for display and use. The interface also
allows the simultaneous use of multiple devices when passengers are in the
car.
At the rear, the cargo deck features an electrically-powered slide-out
floor, which is activated when the bottom half of the split tailgate drops
down. The floor, and the back of the folding rear seats, is covered by 'high
friction' rubber carpeting, which 'grips' items and holds them securely in
place. For easy loading and unloading, aluminum bars automatically rise up and
down as the tailgate is opened and closed.
The treatment of light is an important part of Scandinavian design and
this is evident in the use of variable, white ambient lighting inside the
cabin. The level of suffused illumination can be changed in intensity from
bright, cold to warm and soft. It's a personalized feature that could even be
programmed, for example, to reflect the pattern of the changing seasons.
"This car shows how our concept work can be carried forward into a compact
format," adds Anthony Lo. "It has a number of features which we will be
developing further, such as the new driver-focused design theme, the
importance of clean, uncluttered surfaces and the easy, seamless connectivity
inside the car."
Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the
importer and/or distributor of the Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X for Saab Automobile
AB, Sweden. For the 2009 model year, Saab offers 7 different models that
deliver 27 mpg or better according to EPA Highway fuel economy standards. In
addition to 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty, including roadside
assistance and courtesy transportation, every new Saab comes with 3
years/36,000 miles no-charge scheduled maintenance plus standard Onstar and XM
Satellite radio. Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.
SOURCE General Motors Corporation

Jan-Willem Vester, +1-313-667-6601, or Mobile, +1-313-549-3452, for General
Motors Corporation