The Saab 9-X Air Concept Car & 9-3 Convertible Special Edition debut at the Boston Auto Show beginning on December 4th through this weekend.

For Immediate Release – December 2, 2008

New England International Auto Show Debut this weekend

Saab Raises the Roof in Boston, Present and Future: 9-3 Convertible Special Edition and 9-X “Air” BioHybrid Convertible Concept

Boston — The first ever Saab Convertible made its world debut at the Frankfurt auto show in the fall of 1983. Now, 25 years later, a Special Edition of the Saab 9-3 Convertible in bright champagne metallic makes its debut in Boston at the New England International auto show, which opens to the public this Thursday, December 4 (http://www.paragonexpo.com/). In addition, the futuristic 9-X “Air” BioHybrid Concept will also be featured at the Saab display in Boston. Well received at its world premiere in Paris earlier this fall, the 9-X Air is an innovative design study exploring what a next generation open-air Saab could look like.
Saab surprised the automotive world when it pioneered the concept of a ‘four season, four-seat’ soft top Convertible. Designed to be practical and stylish, the Scandinavian-styled convertible changed the perception of open top vehicles to be used all the year round.

“Saab has sold more than a quarter of a million convertibles worldwide and the latest edition of the 9-3 highlights the timeless design and responsible performance that Saab convertibles have always represented,” said Steve Shannon, executive director, marketing and product, Saab Automobile USA.

The special edition Saab Convertible will be available in three metallic colors to include Jet Black, Carbon Grey and the new Bright Champagne. It features Saab’s signature 2.0-liter, 210 hp four cylinder engine and can be matched to six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.
Special content includes influences from the Turbo X performance model, such as the design of the front bumper and steering wheel plus carbon fiber interior finishes and black floor mats with grey binding. Like the Aero version, the rear shows dual exhaust pipes and an anthracite grey bumper insert. Five-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels will be standard.
Expected to arrive in dealer showrooms in January 2009, the Saab 9-3 2.0T Special Edition Convertible will be priced starting at $ 46,725 including destination charges.

As a hint where Saab might take its convertible in the future, the 9-X Air BioHybrid concept will also be featured at the New England International Auto Show in Boston. Well received at its world premiere in Paris last October, the 9-X Air is an innovative design study exploring what a next generation open-air Saab could look like.

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I was asking myself the other day, why is it that when I see a new 2009 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, I think of Saab. Was it the all-wheel drive, was it the utility, was it the design or something else like the Saab 9-2x (Saabaru) that ran from 2004 until 2006? I decided to do another design comparison with photos to visualize if I was close to my idea in similiar design.

It finally hit me, that it was the design of the Subaru Impreza Outback Sport tail light cluster because it looks identical in form to the Saab 9-X Air Concept’s tail light cluster, even the proportions are right!

I thought Saab was focusing on their own design elements moving forward, let’s hope this is the last similiarity with other manufacturers we see again.

 
Saab Automobile has just released another promotional video of the Saab 9-X Air concept.
 
The video doesn’t really say anything, other than tell us that this is a convertible, hence the “canopy top” opening and closing.
 
No real news here other than there is no clear fact stating that this will ever be shown in a Saab dealership in near future.

 
Here is a promotional video recently produced featuring the Saab 9-X Air Concept that includes brief overviews by Saab Automobile AB’s, Jan-Åke Jonsson as well as Saab Designer, Anthony Lo.

Saab History’s European correspondent, Etienne M. Morsa, has done it again by covering the 2008 Saab 9-X Air Concept World Premiere at the Paris Auto Show on October 2nd, 2008.

If you have been following his work, he began as a correspondent with Saab History this past March when he covered the predecessor to this concept car, the Saab 9-X BioHybrid in Geneva.

Evidently, his time at this auto show, even though the tone was much more subdued and there were no surprises, was overall pleasant. During his encounters with various Saab personell including Saab Automobile Sweden’s own, Saab Automobile Sweden’s own, Gunilla Gustavs, he heard that the end of 2009 will be an amazing time for Saab Automobile.

The other news is that there is “something” that will be taking place at both the Detroit Auto Show, as well as the Geneva Auto Show next year, as well as something about the new astra model being confirmed for Frankfurt Auto Show next fall.

I am very happy and thankful that Etienne had the chance to attend his second auto show this year as a correspondent for Saab History, your photos are incredible! I understand he had a good time and I quote “really enjoyed the BioPower breakfast complete with Swedish chocolates and the auto show as a whole”.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

The Saab 9-X Air, as previously mentioned, premiered at the Paris Auto Show today.

Here is the official press release:

Saab ‘Canopy Top’ Brings Breath of Fresh Air to Convertible Design

9-X Air BioHybrid Concept World Premiere at Paris Auto Show

Detroit - The 9-X Air Concept is a design vision exploring what a future open-air Saab could look like. It features a unique ‘Canopy Top’ – patent pending - and the close-coupled proportions of a sports car, as well as four-seat accommodation.

In breaking the mould of conventional convertible design, the bodywork of the 9-X Air incorporates prominent rear pillars which curve upwards to mount the flat folding Canopy Top. They also anchor a distinctive, wraparound glasshouse, including a separate, recessed rear screen.

Read more »

Photo Credit: Paris Auto Show

The 2008 Paris Auto Show Media Day begins on October 2nd and Saab Automobile will be showcasing their latest concept car, the Saab 9-X Air, during their “BioPower Breakfast” at 7:30am.

To learn more about the 2008 Paris Auto Show, click here.

Mark Adams, VP of GM Europe Design shares his thoughts on the Saab 9-X Air Concept car in the test track behind the Saab Factory in Trollhättan, Sweden.

Mark Adams indicates that this vehicle “completes the series of brand design language”, which is interesting, so I guess this should be our last concept car moving forward and nothing but production vehicles from here on out? Time will tell, but I will certainly hold him to these words because every one of my sponsors tell me that they need new products in their showroom today!

Mark also refers to this vehicle as paying homage to the first Saab convertible that debuted in Frankfurt, Germany 25 years ago, and he was right, that was in 1983 with the Saab 900 Cabriolet prototype.

I would think that it would be absolutely necessary that Bob Sinclair be present at the Paris Auto Show to comment on this convertible as a reflective of his initiative in getting the Saab convertible off of the ground back then. I find this vehicle now more of a design milestone, given that this vehicle serves this historic purpose both paying respect to the past while also signaling future products.

What I am most excited about is that this, as Mark Adams indicated, is going to be the last concept car we will see in a long time, so here’s to product, product, product that will actually show up in dealerships around the world that customers can and want to buy!

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

The Saab 9-X Air Concept Car press kit is finally in from Saab Automobile AB, the entire official press release upon the lifting of the embargo.

Thanks for your patience, there are a lot of photos and material here to sort through and get posted!

For Immediate Release — September 18, 2008

Paris Auto Show World Premiere

Saab 9-X “Air” BioHybrid Concept Redefines Convertible Design

Detroit — The 9-X Air BioHybrid concept, to be revealed at next month’s Paris Motor Show, is an innovative design study exploring what a future open-air Saab could look like.

Featuring a unique Canopy Top and a wraparound glasshouse that includes the rear screen, the 9-X Air breaks the mould of conventional convertible design by offering four-seat accommodation within the close-coupled proportions of a sports car.

Its distinctive silhouette is defined by prominent rear pillars that mount the flat-folding Canopy Top and also anchor the separate, recessed rear screen. Top down, the 9-X Air is designed to offer fresh air motoring free from buffeting. Top up, it assumes the look of a true coupe.

Designed in parallel with the 9-X BioHybrid concept, the 9-X Air shares its highly efficient powertrain. The small, 1.4-liter Saab BioPower engine offers responsible performance by combining engine rightsizing with turbocharging, the use of E85 bioethanol fuel and hybrid technology.

The 9-X Air underlines Saab’s leading role in convertible design and will be revealed 25 years after the first convertible from Saab was shown at the international Frankfurt Show. Full details and more images are available at www.media.saab.com

Read more »

Video Credit: Saab Automobile AB

Although the Saab 9-X Air has its media kit still under embargo until Thursday, September 18th, 2008, I have received a video that has been given the okay to show here on Saab History.

This video, from Saab Automobile AB in Sweden, features some pretty exclusive footage showing some of the early test drives of this open top roadster.

This track where this 9-X Air is driving, is right behind the Saab Factory in Trollhättan, and just before the air field.

A thank you to Saab Automobile AB in Sweden for sending it to Saab History today for us to enjoy!

This video is now in the permanent Saab History video archive bringing the grand total to 432 films!

I have just been made aware that the Saab 9-X Air Concept car media materials have been embargoed until this Thursday, September 18th, 2008.

It is my plans to honor this embargo, even though I have recently provided one photo unknowingly realizing that Motortrend, Jalopnik, Auto Motor & Sport and others have decided to break and disregard this embargo set by Saab Automobile AB.

Please expect a full press kit and any other details by the end of this week as Saab History honors this embargo.

I can tell you that the Saab 9-X Air concept is going to be displayed at the Paris Auto Show on October 2nd, 2008, so mark your calendars!

Photo Credit: Motortrend

This just in, Motortrend reports that the a brand new Saab 9-X Air Concept will debut at the Paris Motor Show this October, 2008.

According to Motortrend, the Saab 9-X Air concept is an open-top convertible, which shows is origins from both the the Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept car that debuted this past March in Geneva as well as the 2006 Saab Aero-X concept car.

The key design elements in this concept are the wrap-around windshield as well as instrument panel displays that wrap around the doors! The powertrain evidently is powered by a 1.4 liter engine that runs on E-85 or E-100, no word as to yet which. Also, no mention of a hybrid motor either.

This concept car marks the 10th concept car debuted with the X designation since the 9-X concept car back on the 11th of September, 2001

The use of the term Saab 9-X “Air” harkens to Apple Computers Macbook “Air” where this new concept is sleek whereas the mac is more “slim”. This appears to be first official use of the same terms between companies, perhaps we could see a partnership in the future? Either that or Nike “Air”?

As I have indicated before, many Saab owners prefer Apple, so there could be some connection being made here with the 9-X Air, so time will tell when the press kit gets officially released in the near future.

I am surprised however that Saab Automobile will be introducing yet another concept car, when the world really needs a good production car from Saab that will sell! This is the 26th concept car to be produced in comparison to the 21 production cars produced in Saab’s history, and this is now starting to look like a trend, so I hope Saab Automobile treads lightly on this concept car addiction.

Furthermore, with all of these concept cars being produced now at record numbers, where will they be stored at the Saab Car Museum in Trollhättan, Sweden once they go off of the auto show circuit?

In the meantime, for more photos and information, please visit both the Motortrend and Jalopnik sites at this time until more information arrives here on Saab History.