As a follow-up to the previous writeup on the past and present Saab designers and their achievements, it was necessary to include a chronological up-to-date listing of Saab projects both production and concepts.

This listing includes each Saab project, year introduced along with each designer and/or engineer that contributed to the given project.

This list is a work-in-progress, so any additions and/or modifications that you see necessary below, please add your comments to ensure correctness and accuracy.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

Design Contributions by Model

SAAB Scandia 90 (1946-1958)

Bror Bjurströmer

SAAB 91 (1947-1966)

A.J. Andersson

SAAB 92001 (Prototype) (1946/1947)

Sixten Sason

Gunnar Ljungström

SAAB 92 (1948-1956)

Sixten Sason

Gunnar Ljungström

SAAB 93 (1956-1959)

Sixten Sason

SAAB 94 (1956)

Sixten Sason

SAAB 95 (1959-1978)

Sixten Sason

SAAB 96 (1960-1980)

Sixten Sason

SAAB-SCANIA 97 (SonettII/V4 1966-1969) (SonettIII 1970-1974)

Björn Karlström

Sergio Coggiola

Gunnar A. Sjögren

SAAB-SCANIA 98 (Prototype, Cancelled) (1974)

Björn Envall

SAAB-SCANIA 99 (1969-1984)

Sixten Sason

Björn Envall

Saab 90 (1984-1987)

Björn Envall

SAAB-SCANIA 900 (1979-1993/94)

Björn Envall

SAAB-SCANIA EV-1 (1985)

Björn Envall

Saab 900 (NG) (1994-1998)

Björn Envall

Einar Hareide

SAAB-SCANIA 9000 (1985-1998)

Björn Envall

Giorgetto Giugiaro

Saab 9-1 (Speculative Design)

Saab 9-3 (1999-2002)

Einar Hareide

Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan (2003- )

Einar Hareide

Saab 9-3 Hybrid BioPower Convertible (2006 – )

Kjell ac Bergström

Saab 9-5 (1999- )

Einar Hareide (1999-2001)

Tony Catignani (1999-2001)

Magnus Jonsson (1999-2001)

Simon Padian (2002- )

Tomas Ostlund (2006 – )

Saab 9-5 BioPower E85 (2005 – )

Kjell ac Bergström

Saab 9-5 BioPower E100 (2007 – )

Kjell ac Bergström

Saab 9-X (2001)

Michael Mauer

Anthony Lo

Ola Granlund

Simon Padian

Saab 9-X BioHybrid (2008)

Anthony Lo

Andrew Dyson

Bryan Nesbitt

Saab 9-2X (2005-2006)

Michael Mauer

Anthony Lo

Ola Granlund

Per Jansson

Bengt Persson

Kjell-Ake Eriksson

Saab 9-3X (2002)

Michael Mauer

Anthony Lo

Simon Padian

Saab 9-3 SportHatch (2003)

Michael Mauer

Anthony Lo

Simon Padian

Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept (2008)

Anthony Lo

Andrew Dyson

Bryan Nesbitt

Kaj Zackrisson (Skier)

Saab 9-6X (Cancelled)

Saab 9-7X (2005-2009)

Per Janssan

Aero-X(2006)

Anthony Lo

Alex Daniel

Erik Rokke

Simon Padian

I have recently read a report from Car Guides as a translation from Sweden’s MiljöRapporten on the future of Saab Automobile’s hybrid products as well as the other automobile manufacturers projects in the short-term.

This recently translated article is, in my opinion, a great follow-up to the long-term piece about the Scandinavian Hybrid collaborative between Saab Automobile, Volvo & Sweden’s energy company, Vattenfall as well as the Swedish Hybrid Vehicle Center projects at a number of Swedish Universities.

For the record, we have at this time, two concept vehicles, both the Saab 9-3 BioPower Hybrid Convertible Concept in 2006 and the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept this year. These concept vehicles are a great start, however, knowing that technologically speaking these are just concept vehicles and maintain more of the “theory” of what’s to come opposed to the “reality” of what is currently available.

So here is the question: When exactly will we see a Saab Hybrid in production that customer can actually buy? The customers want them, the dealerships want them, and other manufacturers already have them. Since Saab has historicall been about innovative industry firsts, what is holding them back from the hybrid at this time?

I hope that they get on board with this one and fast, because time is moving fast these days.

Here is the report below:

As we said, Volvo and Saab will put ten PHEVs on the road by 2009 to create a strong Swedish plug-in market, with vehicle testing to begin next year. Using vehicles from these two automakers, technical know-how from Vattenfall and lithium-ion batteries from ETC Battery, the plug-in hybrid project will have a budget of 62 million Swedish crowns (around $9.6 million U.S.) The vehicle models that will be used and other details are being kept quiet. Continue after the break for more.

AutoblogGreen reader Stefan N.’s translation (slightly cleaned up) of this article:

Saab and Volvo in large plug-in project

Saab and Volvo will begin a large scale project on plug-in cars. In the project the two car manufacturers will test 10 plug-in cars in traffic during the next year. “We will be testing larger Volvo models working as PHEV,” says Klas Niste at Volvo Cars.

There is a lot of hush hush around this project. But in the corporations’ request for subsidies from the energy department, the goal is clear. The corporations wants to create a Swedish market for plug-in hybrids. Or as they write themselves, “Demonstrate how a simple customer-attractive total solution for plug-in hybrids could look like”.

Included in the project are Vattenfall and battery manufacturer ETC AB in Nol, Sweden. And what the different corporations are supplying is obvious. Volvo and Saab will provide ten PHEV cars. Vattenfall will provide technical solutions for loading the cars in a efficient way. ETC Battery will provide their lithium-ion batteries.

The project should run through 2008-2010 and the ten plug-in hybrids will be in traffic in 2009. Total budget is 62 million crowns, approx $10 million U.S. and the corporations has been seeking half the budget in subsidies. But to receive 50 percent financing it was demanded that more research and development was included in the project, according to the committee for the vehicle research, which gave clearance for a third of the total budget in subsidies.

-The next step will be that the four corporations return with an application where they assure that they pay for 65 percent of the finances, then it can proceed to the energy development committee, at the Energy department, which will decide on the subsidies surmounting 10 million crowns. I think a decision will be made in January-February and if they keep their promise of 65 percent of the financing they will get an OK, says Gunnar Lindstedt at Vinnova, secretary of the committee who recommends that the project should receive 20 million crowns in support. Both car manufacturers are keeping secret which models will be provided with PHEV functionality. So far the Volvo Cars has only shown the C30 as a PHEV. But, according to Klas Niste at Volvo Cars, there will be larger models included in the project. But what larger models has Volvo developed with plug-in technology? No comments, says Klas Niste.

Fact on the Plug-in project Project description in the application for money from Program council for vehicle research. “The application is regarding financial support to establish a common development and demonstration project for plug-in hybrids between SAAB Automobile, Volvo Car Corporation, Vattenfall AB and ETC AB. With the collaborations the parts want to strengthen the possibilities to create a future Swedish united, political and industrial, force for plug-in hybrids. Plug-in hybrids have a big potential to give a large contribution for Sweden to reach national and international climate goal and lessen the dependence on fossil fuel.

Goals:

* To construct and put ten PHEVs on the road by year 2009
* To evaluate vehicles and infrastructure under real circumstances
* To demonstrate what a simple customer-attractive total solution for plug-in hybrids would look like
* To contribute to increased acceptance and insight on the role plug-in hybrids can have to reach national and international climate goals, increase the safety for energy supplies and promote the future of Swedish competition in trade and industry.
* To contribute to research and development within the area through collaborations with, for example, SHC. The project is investigating the possibilities for SHC to be able to, from the data collected in this demonstration project, 1) evaluate batteries 2) analyze driving patterns 3) verify/calibrate simulationprograms for PHEV and HEV drivelines.

Financing. … Written by: Kenneth Samuelsson

Source: Car Guides & MiljöRapporten

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

Michael Mauer was born on July 28th, 1962 in the German town of Rotenburg/Fulda, but grew up in Höchenschwand, in the Black Forest. He studied automobile design from 1982 to 1986 at the Polytechnic in Pforzheim, and from there secured his first job in the Design area of Mercedes-Benz AG in Sindelfingen. In 1989 he was appointed Design Project Leader, and two years later oversaw design work for the first SLK model generation. In July 1995, the company appointed him Head of Department and entrusted him with design responsibility for the A-Class, SLK and SL models.

In 1998 Michael Mauer moved to the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Tokyo, Japan, as General Manager, and was intensively involved in advanced development work on various model lines. A year later, he was put in charge of Design at MCC Smart GmbH. This was where he met up with Anthony Lo, who together for a number of years in the Saab design center.

In June 2000 Michael Mauer took a position with Saab Automobile as Executive Director Design and worked at the Saab Design Center in Pixbo / Mölnlycke, Sweden. Since March of 2003,
Saab Automobile’s Board of Management appointed Michael Mauer as Chief Designer of Saab and Advanced Concept Center General Motors Europe.

In July of 2004, Michael Mauer left Saab Automobile and took a position with Porsche.

Since working with Saab, he was responsible for the design of the Saab 9-X, 9-3X, 9-3 Sport Hatch, concept cars and the wheels for the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, the production version of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi and MY2004-2007 Saab 9-3 Convertible design, and the 9-2X.

Image Credit: Saab History

As a follow-up to the posting I made back in November of 2006 on the logo history, it is about time that I compliment this information with the following on the correct capitalization and nomenclature of the models of the Saab Automobile brand. I hope this sheds some more light in our dialog about Saabs, SAABs and all of the great products that have been developed over the years.

I have provided a fairly well written piece already done on Wikipedia that I would like to articulate if I may regarding the correct capitalization and model nomenclature as a guide.

It is my hope that as a result of this posting, others will be able to better articulate their writing and speaking when referring to all of Saab’s products from 1947 until present. I also think that this posting will help to end search criteria that is typically entered in Google as follows: (SAAB 93 XWD, SAAB 92 ABS, Saab 94 Ski Rack, 2001 SAAB 95, 1999 93, etc.) If this search criteria was taken literally, as it should as google can only do just that, we would have had Cross Wheel Drive available in the late 1950′s, ABS in the late forties, and two long production runs for the SAAB Ninety Five and Ninety Three. Let’s hope that this clarifies this naming and model nomenclature once and for all.

1947-1969 (Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget)

The Company: When referring to the company in both written and oral communication where the products were produced between 1947 and 1969, it is proper to use SAAB in all capital letters to refer to these vehicles.

The Models: When referring to vehicles model nomenclature in both written and oral communication that were produced during this time, they are written and pronounced as 92 (Pronounced: Ninety Two), 92 (Pronounced: Ninety Three), 94 (Pronounced: Ninety Four), 95 (Pronounced: Ninety Five), 96 (Pronounced: Ninety Six), 97 (Pronounced: Ninety Seven)

1970-2000 (Saab-Scania)

* Note: Although the merger took place in 1990, the original products continued. (excluding NG900, 9-3 & 9-5)

The Company: When referring to the company in both written and oral communication where the products were produced between 1970 and 1990, it is proper & acceptable to refer to them as Saabs in lower case letters or Saab-Scania vehicles, also in lower case letters.

The Models: When referring to vehicles model nomenclature in both written and oral communication that were produced during this time, they are written and produced as 97 (Pronounced: Ninety Seven), 98 (Pronounced: Ninety Eight), 99 (Pronounced: Ninety Nine), 90 (Pronounced: Ninety), 900 (Pronounced: Nine Hundred), 9000 (Pronounced: Nine Thousand), 9-5 (Pronounced: Nine Five), NG900 (Pronounced: New Generation 900), 9-3 (Pronounced: Nine Three).

2001 – Present (Saab Automobile / General Motors)

The Company: When referring to the company in both written and oral communication where the products were produced between 2001 and the Present, it is proper & acceptable to refer to them as Saab in lower case letters and/or Saab Automobile / GM vehicles.

The Models: When referring to vehicles model nomenclature in both written and oral communication that were produced during this time, they are written and produced as 9-X (Pronounced: Nine X), 9-2x (Pronounced: Nine Two X), 9-3x (Pronounced: Nine Three X), 9-3 (Pronounced: Nine Three), 9-4x (Pronounced: Nine Four X), 9-5 (Pronounced: Nine Five), 9-7x (Pronounced: Nine Seven X)

I leave you with a brief summary from Saab Automobile’s entry from Wikipedia.

Saab / SAAB Correct Capitalization and Model Nomenclature:

While Saab is in fact an acronym, and, as with many other manufacturers, the word “SAAB” appears in all-capitals within the corporate emblem and in on-vehicle badging, the current correct capitalization of Saab when in print is “Saab,” and not “SAAB.”[citation needed] Other manufacturers such as Volvo, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, and Chevrolet employ the use of all-capitalized vehicle badging, but they are still considered proper names and capitalized as such when written. Likewise, Saab is treated as a proper name and not an acronym, despite its origins..”[citation needed]

Furthermore, all current Saab vehicles are badged with a large 9 and a smaller 3, 5, or 7x following the 9, such as “9³”. However, the digits are considered separate, and are spoken as, for example, “nine three,” and written as “9-3.” Nearly every Saab model ever produced has begun with the number 9 (Saab 600 being an exception), and Saab’s two models became 9-3 and 9-5 in the late 1990s, which was likely a marketing attempt at positioning the vehicles as direct competitors to the BMW 3-series and 5-series, respectively.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Automobile

Film Credit: Saab History

The first interview I had at the 2008 NAIAS, was with Saab Designer, Anthony Lo. Anthony Lo, whom I recently chatted with online thanks to GM Next, has worked with with Saab Automobile since 2000. He has been responsible for many Saab concept cars including the Saab 9-X, Saab 9-3X, Saab 9-3 Sport Hatch, Aero-X and today the Saab 9-4x BioPower Concept.

It was nice to hear how the distinctive design elements were designed such as the raked grille 3-port fully opened grille, signature lighting in the glass-block inspired headlights & tail lights, the aircraft inspired sleek design, especially with the wrap-around windshield, c-pillars and more.

A thank you to Saab Automobile, General Motors, Saab Colorado, Inc. and of course Anthony Lo for his time and explanations on this new design language for Saab.

In 2000, the Saab Advanced Design Team relocated from within the Saab factory complex in Trollhättan to a facility just outside the city of Göteborg. in Mölnlycke, Sweden.

Today the Saab Design Center facility not only includes the Saab Advanced Design Team, but also the Global Sales & Marketing teams and employs approximately 120 people.

The members of Saab Advanced Design Team that have worked in this facility include Michael Mauer, Anthony Lo, Ola Granlund, Simon Padian and Alex Daniel and others on projects such as the Saab 9-X, Saab 9-3X, Saab 9-3 SportHatch and the Aero-X.

In 2005, the Saab Automobile “Brand Center” was also established as a way to preserve the heritage and scandinavian design cues in all future Saab Automobile models. It has been carefully explained to Saab History that this center is not a physical building or facility but an integrated and iterative design process between the Saab Design Center in Mölnlycke and Technical Development Center & Factory in Trollhättan.

There are many categories that brands that have owned such as “Safety” which has been long used by Volvo, or “driving” for BMW, but the “Design” category has not been taken by an automobile brand.

With the design category available and the momentous design & development work by Saab’s designers since the turn of the millenium resulting in design concepts such as the 9-X, 9-3X, 9-3 SportHatch, Aero-X, 9-3 BioPower Hybrid Convertible and now the 9-5 E100 BioPower concept, it seems clear that Saab Automobile’s heritage of having a progressive attention to design, positively embodies this category.

We also have three new contributions thanks to former Public Relations rep of Saab Cars USA, Dan Prescott. These contributions consist of promotional films of the Saab 9-X, 9-3X and the Michilin Race of Champions. These films are 4:30, 5:30 and maybe about 20 minutes in length respectively. I believe the 9-X and 9-3X films are longer than the films we have in the archive already which are 2:28 and 2:30, so perhaps there is more footage or something altogether different! Total conversion cost $132 for 3 films to be converted. Total time to convert 1-2 days.

Total contributions $115.50, so we have just about enough for either set of films.

From the information we have here about the 4 films total, and a choice beween one group of 3 or one single film which may not be as “exciting” as these newer films may be, I have decided to place place a poll here so that you can cast your vote.

Below are images of the films that in analog format prior to conversion for your reference.

The original of SAAB using the numerical nomenclature 9, is that this number was an indication that the project was a non-military, but a civilian project.

The SAAB Scandia 90 (pictured above) was the first civilian project, followed by the SAAB Safir 91, then finally the automobile being SAAB 92001 in 1946, and the beginning of production models with the SAAB 92. Here is a list of all of the the projects from the beginning until the present.

For more information about these models, please visit our “Saab designs by model number” reference list.

90 SCANDIA
91 Safir (Aircraft)
92001
92
93
94 Sonett I
95
96
97 Sonett II & III
98 Prototype
99
90
900
9000
9-5
9-3
9-X
9-2X
9-3X
9-4X
9-6X (cancelled)
9-7X

I thought I would provide a photo of the model I own to give you an idea of what it looks like close-up. I would say that this model is not perfect, but it is nice to have a model of the 9-X nontheless.

A quick search on ebay shows a vendor with 3 available of this Maisto 9-X model. Get it while you can! It is only $6.50!

The following photographs were provided to Saab History by Elkparts. Elkparts has one copy of this book, and hopefully with your help, Saab History can obtain another copy that may be lurking around this great world of ours.

Enjoy the photographs! This book will be a great find, but a rare one at that!

I think one thing is for sure as I watch this video, my driving skills are okay, but as I run into a few obstacles, the steering and suspension start showing immediate signs of failure because you will notice my turning ability by the end of the race becomes almost non-existent. I also seem to have a problem in this video with speeding tickets. I hope I can learn from my mistakes in this video and show some new skills in a future video.

You can purchase this game directly from Amazon by clicking on the “Need For Speed IV” link on the left-hand column on this website just below the google ads.

Enjoy the clip and let me know what you think by posting your comments below!

This game in the Need For Speed series of games by Electronic Arts was ironically was the only game that has a number of Saab models created for you to use. I will post more on this later including hopefully some videos of my driving abilities or lack thereof. I have however, managed to provide you some screen shots. I have not been involved in playing video games for a long, long time and I am actually admit that I am enjoying this break from reality.

You can purchase this game directly from Amazon by clicking on the “Need For Speed IV” link on the left-hand column on this website just below the google ads.

There are a number of other Saab models to choose from, so I will provide more information as I can, but in the meantime, enjoy the photos!

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

2002-03-14

Saab 9X Concept to Make Hollywood Debut

SAAB 9X CONCEPT TO MAKE HOLLYWOOD DEBUT

Saab promotion to benefit UCLA Film and Television Archive

Norcross, GA – Saab’s award-winning concept car, the Saab 9X, will make its Hollywood premiere in the shadow of the Academy Awards. Just steps from the Kodak Theatre, where stars will be accepting their Oscars on March 24, Saab’s own star, the 9X, will be presented to the public this weekend, from Friday, March 15, through March 18.

The innovative Saab 9X will be on display in the Babylon Court area of Hollywood & Highland, the upscale shopping and entertainment venue in the heart of Hollywood. The car will highlight Saab’s support of the UCLA Film and Television Archive, an organization that preserves Hollywood’s heritage by rescuing, restoring and screening vintage films and television programs.

Visitors to the 9X will receive a coupon that explains how Saab will contribute $50 to the UCLA Film and Television Archive for each test drive of a new Saab 9-3 or 9-5 that is taken at a Saab dealer. All the visitor needs to do is fill out and mail the coupon after taking the test drive.

The multi-dynamic Saab 9X was recently named Best Concept Car at the 2002 European Automotive Design Awards for combining features usually associated with a coupé, roadster, wagon and pick-up within one unique vehicle.

Powered by a 300-hp, 3.0-liter V6 turbo with all-wheel drive and conceived as a hint of the future of Saab design, the 9X showcases Saab’s philosophy that a high-performance sports car can also provide versatility and utility.
Hollywood & Highland, located at that corner in Hollywood, combines hip, mid-century modern design with world-class retailers, restaurants, a 640-room hotel, the Kodak Theatre and a six-screen expansion of the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. One of the most ambitious real estate developments in California, Hollywood & Highland is the catalyst for a renaissance that is taking place in Hollywood.

The Saab 9X’s tour of Hollywood concludes on March 21 with a special appearance at “ten” – a private event at the Palladium for elite fashion designers, celebrities and charities.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

2002-03-05

SAAB 9-X Wins Top European Design Award

Norcross, GA – The innovative Saab 9X has been named the Best Concept Car in the 2002 European Automotive Design Awards. The honor was announced at the Geneva Motor Show and is based on an annual poll of member designers from car manufacturers, design studios and suppliers throughout Europe.

First seen at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the multi-dynamic Saab 9X has earned praise for combining features usually associated with a coupé, roadster, wagon and pick-up within one unique vehicle. Powered by a 300-hp, 3.0-liter V6 turbo with all-wheel drive and conceived as a hint of the future of Saab design, the 9X is the work of a team led by Saab Design Director Michael Mauer. The 9X showcases Saab’s philosophy that a high-performance sports car can also provide versatility and practical utility.

The official commendation praises the Saab 9X for its “refreshing individuality” and the Saab brand for its ability to “maintain its designer DNA.” It adds: “A Saab should remain a Saab and not be compromised by component sharing and the product planning of sister brands.”

Comments from designers’ voting returns included: “The 9X couldn’t be more Saab. It has presence, a sporty stance and a distinguished look.”

Another designer observed: “Original and sporty, the 9X is also functional – as a Saab should be. The 9X preserves the exclusivity of Saab and of Swedish design. It is a car that would have a strong appeal in international markets if produced.”

“I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of the design team at Saab,” said Mauer. “We have tried to break down traditional design conventions with the 9X and it is gratifying to know our efforts have been so well received.”

The success of the Saab 9X was also reflected in further recognition for the work of Michael Mauer, who was chosen as the runner-up in the Designer of the Year category.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

THE SAAB 9X – A VISION OF THE ROAD AHEAD

NORCROSS, Ga. – Saab’s Executive Director of Design, Michael Mauer, explains why the Saab 9X was created and how it symbolizes the arrival of a new design genre that challenges all preconceived notions about how a car “should be.”

In discussing the creation of the out-of-the-box Saab 9X, Mauer commented, “I have often heard people say that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. But, I have always wondered what is the point in having a cake unless you can enjoy it? With this car, you do both!”

Mauer is not a culinary expert, but he has always wanted to create a design recipe that will extend the boundary lines of automotive creativity. The Saab 9X is the end result. It demonstrates that exciting, driver-focused performance and genuine, real world practicality are not mutually exclusive ingredients.

A bold and sporting design foundation was essential for the concept that has become the Saab 9X. Its compact size and purposeful looks clearly position it as a highly efficient sports car. However, Saab is going further by potentially re-inventing the sports coupe/ roadster genre. The Saab 9X is a car that offers a much greater breadth of experience.

In explaining the Saab 9X perspective, Mauer asked, “Is it wrong to expect a real driver’s car to be more versatile? I believe today’s drivers want a true driving machine to provide something more. They want exciting, sporty cars, sure, but they also want practicality. This car is an interesting solution.”

It is a car that symbolizes the arrival of a new, more feature-focused design emphasis. “I believe the motor industry’s old segmentation approach to products is now effectively dead,” Mauer said. “It is no longer enough to have, say, a sedan, a roadster, a wagon or an SUV that are each good at satisfying just one particular need. Today, people expect a vehicle that can perform several different functions and roles. It is an expectation that presents an exciting challenge for designers. We are seeking to deliver new breeds of vehicle.”

The Saab 9X concept offers a unique fusion: high performance driving; roof fixed or roof removed; wagon-like load carrying potential; and – as the fourth “dimension” – the open deck versatility of a pick-up. It is a multi-dynamic vehicle delivering all-weather driving enjoyment and the ability to meet a variety of leisure or more mundane load-carrying needs. The execution is a masterpiece of clever design and innovative packaging.

Foundation: A performance car
A car offering “best-in-class” performance and driving appeal was the starting point for the design process. Mauer and his team regarded a light, extremely compact chassis as a prerequisite to achieve their goal. Here the design team utilized the cross-disciplinary resources of the Saab Advanced Concept Center (SACC) to produce an all-aluminum platform capable of satisfying their requirements.

The SACC at Saab’s Trollhättan headquarters in Sweden affords a very special environment, allowing small teams of engineers, designers, technicians, IT and marketing specialists to work together closely on a project-led basis. The informal atmosphere helps encourage the teams to adopt new perspectives, thinking “outside the box.” SACC has no permanent staff; those who work there are on temporary assignment from other departments within Saab. Its minimalist, all white, frosted glass interior was designed by a leading Scandinavian architect to encourage a spirit of free, unrestrained thinking.

The SACC team created a platform to accommodate the Saab 9X’s diminutive external proportions and its four-wheel-drive layout. To ensure an excellent weight distribution, a low center of gravity and a low polar moment of inertia – all essential for the quick reflexes of a high performance car – the SACC team were able to install the engine and gearbox almost completely behind the front axle line.

The Saab 9X is projected to use a new generation, all-aluminum, 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged engine, delivering at least 300 hp and extremely high torque values. This sophisticated engine is not yet in production and a prototype unit is currently in use. It is linked to a six-speed manual transmission with sequential shift and four-wheel drive.

Externally, the Saab 9X represents a unique variation on the traditional two-door, two-pillar coupe layout. Saab genealogy is immediately apparent in the dramatic wrap-around windshield, which conceals the A-pillars and is integrated with the door windows to give an uninterrupted sweep of glass all the way to the B-pillar. Combined with a high waistline, it gives the car an unmistakable Saab identity. In the same way, the grille is an extremely bold interpretation of more traditional Saab proportions.

The cocoon-like styling of the interior, the four, low-slung bucket seats and prominent transmission tunnel reinforce the Saab 9X’s performance mission. The instrument layout and interior ambience also evoke a subtle hint of Saab’s aviation heritage. However, Mauer is quick to point out that his team consciously refused to play the “retro card” when adopting a design theme for the Saab 9X. “I think so-called ‘retro-styling’ is something of a soft option these days, which can be overplayed to the point of cliché,” he commented. “We are looking ahead with this car – not backwards. The emphasis on performance and versatility, alone, echoes a strong Saab tradition. And there are other features, of course. However, we should not be prisoners of our past.”

The Saab 9X’s handling and performance are expected to place it firmly at the head of the compact, sports coupe class. Again, the design team was clear that the Saab 9X’s credentials as a pure driver’s car should not be compromised by the need to incorporate talents in other areas.

“We wanted to create a car which, in itself, should be a joy to drive,” Mauer said. “For example, I would like the owners of this car to want to get up in the morning and head off to work half an hour early, perhaps, so they can take a little detour, just for the sheer joy of driving.”

Creating four dimensions
Ensuring the Saab 9X had a variety of other unconventional talents was a more detailed, technical challenge for the design team. The innovative way that all of this was executed and accommodated within one vehicle sets the Saab 9X apart. “The more unusual features had to work well and give real benefits,” Mauer noted. “This is a car for the real world.”

For example, the roof system comprises two separate, fully powered glass panels that can be easily removed and stowed onboard – without taking up important trunk space. Similarly, the roof panels do not need to be left at home in the garage, as is the case for roadsters with a conventional, removable hard top.

The Saab 9X also offers a completely flat, fully useable load space with an extended volume comparable to a medium-sized wagon. And all within a sporty format.

However, it is the adoption of a traditional two-pillar (A + B), coupe-like foundation which, ironically, gave Mauer and his team the freedom to introduce their most eye-catching innovation – the pick-up, or fourth “dimension.”

They were able to achieve a completely open, unobstructed rear deck because, unlike a sedan, hatchback or conventional wagon, the Saab 9X does not have roof reinforcements connecting the small C-pillars. The structural integrity of the car is ensured by the permanent roof rail, a reinforced cross-member, connecting the substantial B-pillars.

Behind this line, the body can be completely open because the team has dispensed with a traditional tailgate hinged from the roof. The detachable rail at the rear is required solely to mount the rearmost roof panel and locate the retractable window in the rear door.

The benefits of this layout are optimized by another key innovation: the extending rear load space. Here Mauer said the team took inspiration from the sliding floor feature of the Saab 9-5 SportWagon. For the more compact Saab 9X, it was essential to be able to enlarge the rear load space. “We took the sliding floor concept and developed it a bit more,” he explained. “It is now fully automatic and we were able to add ‘walls’ at the sides. The extending floor carries the tailgate, of course, which can also be lowered to create even more load space.”

Another innovative feature developed from the Saab 9-5 SportWagon is the adoption of load-securing tracks to allow leisure items and all sorts of cargo to be stowed safely and securely. The system is extremely flexible in use and, for additional practicality, the team has also introduced new durable flooring materials for the rear of the car.

“We have put together a package that allows people to interact with the car during their other activities, apart from driving,” Mauer said. “You can carry a surfboard, a small raft, skis, or whatever, and still have enough room to take some luggage. You can have the roof up, roof down or half way up and half way down!

“While the car’s proportions are not those of a family car, the rear seating is adequate and the headroom is particularly good for a car of this type. There is easily enough room for adults or children for short journeys.”

Driving into the future
Mauer describes the Saab 9X as a directional “signpost” to the future. “Saab must continue to push the boundaries of design,” he said. “Of course, we will not specialize in producing only ‘niche’ products such as the Saab 9X. We see other opportunities to put together features from different types of vehicles& some interesting solutions are possible.

“There are no major technical obstacles to prevent the car going into production and I very much hope we produce it, or something very similar. This car is an icon for the future of Saab – it shows where we are going. It is real, physical proof that Saab is embarked on a very exciting journey.”

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

2001-09-12

THE SAAB 9X – VERSATILITY IN FOUR DIMENSIONS

NORCROSS, Ga. – The challenge of turning a vision of a new Saab concept vehicle into reality was embraced by Saab’s Advanced Design studio. They had to meet key parameters, in terms of compact design and packaging, and then develop the many all-important details that would give the 9X its unique Saab character.

The 10-person design team received valuable support from the Saab Advanced Concept Center (SACC) and also supervised the final assembly of the show car at Bertone in Italy.

The major design features of the Saab 9X are best appreciated by looking in more detail at each of the car’s four “dimensions” or formats. Chief Designer Anthony Lo, who led the team, is our guide. “The whole team has found it very exciting to provide a first glimpse of what is to come from Saab in the future,” he commented. “This is not just another show car, it has been developed with the serious intention of production.”

The Coupe
Externally, the Saab signature, wrap-around windshield is the Saab 9X’s most striking feature. The steeply raked, heavily tinted glass gives the car a strong “cockpit” look, balanced by the rear side windows that appear to flow around without interruption into the tailgate’s glass.

The curvaceous, muscular body styling is clean and uncluttered. There are no swage lines down the sides, only a smooth surface wrapping around the front wheels and extending the length of the car. The gently flared wheel arches accommodate 19-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels, which are located, with minimal overhangs, at each corner of the chassis to optimize interior space. This accommodates a relatively long wheelbase of 106.3 inches within an overall length of only 163.6 inches.

The purposeful looks and stance of the car are reflected in the frontal styling, dominated by a bold interpretation in polished aluminum of Saab’s traditional grille, within which eight headlamps are located. These use fiber-optic technology and are extremely small, yet will provide a powerful spread of light for safe night driving. “We’ve adopted fiber-optics to provide more freedom for design,” Lo said. “Headlamps with reflector units can take up a lot of room and get in the way of other structures under the hood.”

A smoked glass panel extends across the rear of the car and covers thin, neon-strip taillights and indicators, as well as the license plate. The overall effect contributes to the car’s clean lines.

This desire for simplicity is reflected in the complete absence of door handles. The Saab 9X functions through a keyless ignition system, and the frameless doors are opened from the outside by a one-touch panel or remote control.

Inside, sweeping, scalloped curves encapsulate four bucket seats, mounted low down and either side of a prominent transmission tunnel. The two-tone interior is warmly swathed in black leather and a dark beige fabric. Satin-finished aluminum trims the instrument panel, and forms a “rib” that runs across the floor and up both doors to the waistline.

The steering wheel design also incorporates the aluminum and leather theme, and a short “pistol grip” gear lever for the six-speed, sequential shifter leaves no doubt that this is a high-performance driver’s car. “The front airbags are mounted in the A-pillars,” noted Lo, “so there is no need for a large module on the steering wheel, which has given us the freedom to put a bit more design into it.”

Driver information is concentrated in a single large binnacle, via digital displays, on a “need-to-know” basis as in modern fighter aircraft. However, the team adopted an analog appearance for the tachometer with a sweep that turns a deeper shade of red as the upper limit of the engine’s power band is approached.

“We’ve tried to introduce a little emotion in some areas,” Lo commented. “For instance, there is also a single red button under a glass cover on the transmission tunnel for starting and stopping the engine. The ignition sequence includes a driver display where a 3D model of the car is scanned as a systems ‘health’ check. You can customize the computer to have your own suitable ‘all-systems-go’ type of message.”

There is a noticeable absence of gauges, switches or buttons because many ancillary functions are incorporated within a single control on top of the transmission tunnel. Best described as an automotive “mouse,” this controls the air conditioning, telephone and “infotainment” systems. It is turned and clicked in response to on-screen prompts from the central dashboard display. The Sat-Nav navigation system is also controlled here but, for driving safety, its instructions are displayed in the driver’s binnacle.

Another interior innovation is the use of lighting. The lights, in fact, never go out inside the Saab 9X. Day or night, there is a welcoming faint blue glow within the cabin, giving an ambience similar to the interior of an executive aircraft. The diffused light emanates from thin, almost invisible openings within the dashboard fascia and doors and appears to have no direct source. These same, narrow louvers also provide ventilation and air conditioning, eliminating the need for separate air vents.

“The ambient lighting is designed to make the interior warmer and more inviting,” Lo explained. “It also has a more practical use by making it rather easier to find things at night inside the car. We think it is more relaxing for the driver and passengers to be able to see and enjoy the interior of the car rather than sit in complete darkness, which is what normally happens at night.”

The Roadster
The freedom of open-top motoring, to be enjoyed with the agile handling of a true roadster, is just a button push away in the Saab 9X.

The highly adaptable roof system comprises two tinted glass panels that allow a number of open-roof configurations for driver and passengers. Both panels will be electrically-operated, and will move separately. This allows the front section to slide back over the rear panel, or the rear can also slide forward over the front section.

In either mode, the side windows of the doors and tailgate can be raised or lowered. Both roof panels are also completely detachable and, for maximum open effect, the rear roof rail can be easily removed.

The design team believes the Saab 9X succeeds better than many other attempts to deliver a top-down option. The starting point is much closer to a roadster format than fixed-roof “conversions,” and the Saab 9X goes about the task in a more practical way.

When removed, both roof panels can be easily stowed, on their side, at the front of the load space behind the rear seatback. Unlike convertibles or sports cars with folding metal roofs, there is very little loss of valuable luggage space when the roof is down. The system also provides a great deal more flexibility than using a hard top for a conventional roadster.

The Wagon
All seatbacks in the Saab 9X fold down neatly into recessed spaces. The design team ensured that there is a flat deck throughout the car while in “wagon mode.” This area is 37.6 inches long when the split/fold rear seatback is down, and extends to 75 inches if the front passenger seat is also folded flat.

Access to the load space is generous, thanks to large doors designed for ease of rear passenger entry and exit. At the rear, the tailgate is split and the electrically-powered glass window section can be lowered completely into the door.

As you would expect with Saab, the design team concentrated on providing useful ways to safely secure loads. As a further development of the cargo securing tracks first seen on the Saab 9-5 SportWagon, there are now four removable tracks that clip into the floor. In conjunction with fittings for the central roof bar, leisure items such as bikes and skis can be carried securely, as well as a variety of other loads.

The entire load space, and much of the passenger compartment floor, is covered with an innovative silicone-treated fabric. This is extremely durable, completely waterproof and has a practical non-slip finish. It is specially designed to meet the rigorous demands of everyday use.

“For the wagon format, it was essential to provide a completely flat load space,” Lo said. “We didn’t want this aspect to be compromised by the sports seating layout and the transmission tunnel. We’re quite pleased with the result.”

The Pick-up
The most unusual feature of Saab 9X is probably the extending floor area, telescopically mounted in the rear of the car. At the push of button, this can add almost 8 inches to the length of the rear load space, and even more if the tailgate is also lowered.

The tailgate itself is attached to the telescopic floor, which has sidewalls that retract longitudinally into the rear wheel-arches. The whole assembly is electro-hydraulically powered and can be deployed in about five seconds, via a button in the passenger compartment.

A clever refinement allows the tailgate to be safely lowered, even when the floor is extended, because its top, inboard section carries a separate taillight display.

When this imaginative innovation is used in tandem with an open rear deck, the Saab 9X can justifiably lay claim to the kind of versatility more commonly associated with a pick-up.

“The telescopic floor has certainly not been seen before in a car,” noted Lo. “It has allowed us to capitalize on the open deck format because the rear roof rail can be completely removed. The separate taillight display is also a neat solution.

“There are a lot of sports items, such as surfboards, small rafts or bikes, that can be carried more easily in this car because of the open rear deck. We also wanted to provide a very robust material to cover the cargo area. If you get caught in a rain shower, the silicone lining will prevent water from doing harm.”

2001-09-12

CONCEPT: SAAB 9X TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

CHASSIS
Type2-door sports car with floor-mounted rear tailgate
ConstructionMonocoque; aluminum/steel
Drivetrain layout4-wheel drive, front engine

ENGINE
Type6-cylinder, V-configuration
Displacement3.0 liter
AspirationTurbocharged, intercooled
Horsepower @ rpm300 @ 5,500 (projected)
Max. torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm302 @ 2,200 (projected)
Engine managementSaab Trionic
ArrangementFront, transversely mounted
Valve trainDouble overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder
Cylinder blockAluminum

TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, TIRES
TransmissionManual 6-speed with sequential shift
SteeringPower-assisted rack and pinion
Turns (lock to lock)2.5
Front suspensionStruts, lower A-arm, coil springs with gas shock absorbers, stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionIndependent, multilink, coil springs with gas shock absorbers, stabilizer bar
Braking systemFour-wheel disc, ventilated/drilled
Brake disc diameterFront: 13.78 in. (350 mm) with 4-piston Brembo calipers
Rear: 12.99 in. (330 mm) with 2-piston Brembo calipers
Wheels8.5 x 19 five-spoke alloy
Tires245/40 R19 Michelin

EXTERIOR
Wheelbase (in.)106.3 (2700 mm)
Front track (in.)61.8 (1570 mm)
Rear track (in.)61.8 (1570 mm)
Overall length (in.)163.6 (4156 mm)
Overall width (in.)71.6 (1820 mm)
Overall height (in.)53.7 (1365 mm)
Curb weight (lbs.)2,930 (1330 kg) – projected

INTERIOR
Configuration
Cargo volume (cu. ft.)8.1 (230 liters) Rear seat up
Cargo volume (cu. ft.)21.2 (600 liters)Rear seat folded
Cargo length (in.)19.5 (495 mm)Rear seat up
Cargo length (in.)37.6 (955 mm)Rear seat folded
Cargo length (in.)45.5 (1155 mm) + floor extended
Cargo length (in.)60.6 (1540 mm) + tailgate down
Cargo length (in.)97.6 (2480 mm)+ front seat folded

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

Summary: the multidynamic Saab 9X breaks cover at Frankfurt

NORCROSS, Ga. – Saab’s mold-breaking Saab 9X concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) on September 11, challenges automotive tradition by revealing 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.

Designed to combine the highest levels of driving satisfaction with great flexibility of use, the Saab 9X is impossible to pigeonhole. The compact Saab 9X may be best described as a sporty, multi-dynamic car that captures the essence of Saab’s brand appeal.

The dramatic, wraparound windshield and high waistline are unmistakably Saab and, combined with an aggressive stance, create the expectation of exceptional performance. That promise is fulfilled by an all-new, 300-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, all-wheel drive and a very low curb weight, giving an outstanding power-to-weight ratio.

The Saab 9X breaks new ground in simultaneously offering the following four “dimensions” and advanced features:

* Coupe 2+2 – seating for four, fiber-optic headlamps, neon strip rear lights, keyless security and ignition system

* Roadster – two powered sliding/detachable/stowable glass roof panels, frame-less doors

* Wagon – fold-flat seating, flip-down tailgate, retracting rear window, flexible cargo securing system

* Pick-up – open rear deck, electro-hydraulic telescopic floor extension, detachable rear roof rail

The Saab 9X project is led by Saab’s Advanced Design department in Sweden with technical support for the chassis and powertrain from teams within the Saab Advanced Concept Center (SACC).

“The Saab 9X shows that the traditional way of classifying products is dead,” commented Saab Executive Director of Design, Michael Mauer. “It is no longer enough to have a vehicle that is good at satisfying just one role. Today’s drivers want more. In this case, they want an exciting, sporty car that also has great functionality. The Saab 9X is the solution.

“It is first and foremost a real driver’s car, but it also shows that the performance element can be combined successfully with true versatility.

“We have designed and built the show car as a fully working, entirely feasible prototype which could go into production with very little modification. I regard it very much as a statement of intent.

“It is also a signpost to the future – it shows where Saab is going. It is real, physical proof that we are embarked on an exciting journey,” Mauer concluded.

That journey will see the announcement of “at least one new product or concept every year for the next six years,” said Saab Automobile President and CEO, Peter Augustsson.

As a result, worldwide sales volumes are expected to almost double, reaching about 250,000 units a year by 2006. “It is a product and marketing offensive that is unprecedented in Saab’s history,” Augustsson added. “It will see us become an increasingly important worldwide player in the premium car sector.”

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

Facts: Saab 9X Technical specifications and performance

Chassis:
Two-door sports car with floor-mounted rear tailgate, monocoque construction; aluminium/steel.

Engine:
3.0-litre high feature V-6, turbocharged, four OHC, 24 valve. Aluminium construction. Front, transversely-mounted

Max. power (projected): 300 bhp/ 224 kW @ 5,500 rpm (EEC)

Max. torque (projected): 410 Nm/ 302 lb ft @ 2,200 rpm (EEC)

Engine management:
Saab Trionic (ignition timing, turbo boost and throttle control)

Transmission:
Six-speed, sequential, manual gearbox. Four wheel drive

Steering:
Rack and pinion, power-assisted. 2.5 turns (lock-to-lock)

Suspension:
Front: Struts, lower A-arm, separate gas-filled shock absorbers coil springs, anti-roll bar

Rear: Independent, multi-link, gas-filled shock absorbers coil springs, anti-roll bar

Brakes:
Front: 350mm, ventilated/drilled steel discs, 4-piston Brembo calipers

Rear: 330mm, ventilated/drilled steel discs, 4-piston Brembo calipers

Wheels:
19 x 8.5 inch, five-spoke alloy

Tyres:
Front and Rear: 245 x 45 Michelin R19

Kerb weight (projected):
1330 kilos

External dimensions:
Length: 4156mm, Height: 1365mm, Width: 1820mm Wheelbase: 2700mm, Track width (f): 1570mm, (r) 1570mm

Load space:
Volume: 230 litres (rear seat up), 600 litres (rear seat folded)

Length: 495mm (rear seat up) 955mm (+ rear seat folded) 1155mm (+ floor extended) 1540mm (+ tailgate down) 2480mm (+ front seat folded)

Performance (projected):
Top speed: 250 km/h (limited) 0 – 100 km/h: 5.9 secs

2001-09-11

Vision: the Saab 9X – a vision of the road ahead

Saab’s Executive Director of Design, Michael Mauer, explains why the Saab 9X was created and how it symbolises the arrival of a new design genre that challenges the old, established order.

Michael Mauer is reminded of a popular phrase when discussing the creation of the mould-breaking Saab 9X. “I have often heard people say that you cannot have your cake and eat it,” he says. “but I have always wondered what is the point in having a cake unless you can enjoy it? With this car, you do both!”

Mauer is not a culinary expert, but he has always wanted to create a design recipe that will extend the boundary lines of automotive taste. The Saab 9X is the end result. It demonstrates that exciting, driver-focused performance and genuine, real world practicality are not mutually exclusive ingredients.

A bold and sporting design language was essential for the concept that has become the Saab 9X. Its compact size and purposeful looks clearly position it as a highly efficient, sports car. However, Saab is going further by threatening to re-invent the sports coupe/ roadster genre. The Saab 9X is a car that offers a much greater breadth of experience.

In explaining the Saab 9X perspective, Mauer asks: “Is it wrong to expect a real driver’s car to be more versatile? I believe today’s drivers want a true driving machine to provide something more. They want exciting, sporty cars, sure, but they also want practicality. This car is an interesting solution.”

It is a car that symbolises the arrival of a new, more feature-focused design emphasis. “I believe the motor industry’s old segmentation approach to products is now effectively dead,” says Mauer. “It is no longer enough to have, say, a sedan, a roadster, a wagon or an SUV that are each good at satisfying just one particular need. Today, people expect a vehicle that can perform several different functions and roles. It is an expectation that presents an exciting challenge for designers. We are seeking to deliver new breeds of vehicle.”

The Saab 9X breed offers a unique fusion: high performance driving, roof fixed or roof removed; wagon-like load carrying potential and – as the ‘fourth’ dimension – the open deck versatility of a pick-up. It is a multidynamic vehicle delivering all-weather driving enjoyment and the ability to meet a variety of leisure or more mundane load-carrying needs. The execution is a master class in clever design and innovative packaging.

Driver’s Car
A car offering ‘best-in-class’ performance and driving appeal was the starting point for the design process. Mauer and his team regarded a light, extremely compact chassis as a pre-requisite to achieve their goal. Here the design team utilised the cross-disciplinary flair of the Saab Advanced Concept Centre to produce an all-aluminium platform capable of satisfying their requirements.

The SACC at Saab’s Trollhattan base affords a very special environment, allowing small teams of engineers, designers, technicians, IT and marketing specialists, to work together closely on a project-led basis. The informal atmosphere helps encourage the teams to adopt new perspectives, thinking ‘out of the box’. SACC has no permanent staff; those who work there are on temporary secondment from other departments within Saab. Its minimalist, all white, frosted glass interior was designed by a leading Scandinavian architect to engender a spirit of free, unfettered thinking.

The SACC team created a platform to accommodate the Saab 9X’s diminutive external proportions and its four-wheel drive layout. To ensure an excellent weight distribution, a low centre of gravity and a low polar moment of inertia – all essential for the quick reflexes of a high performance car – the SACC team were able to install the engine and gearbox almost completely behind the front axle line.

The Saab 9X is projected to use a new generation, all-aluminium, 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine, delivering at least 300 bhp and extremely high torque values. This high feature engine is not yet in production and a prototype unit is currently in use. It is linked to a six-speed, sequential change, manual gearbox and four-wheel drive.

Externally, the Saab 9X represents a unique variation on the traditional two-door, two-pillar coupe layout. Saab genealogy is immediately apparent in the dramatic wrap-around windscreen, which conceals the A pillars and is integrated with the door windows to give an uninterrupted sweep of glazing right round to the B pillar. Allied to a high waistline, it gives the car an unmistakable Saab identity. In the same way, the grille is an extremely bold extrapolation of more traditional Saab proportions.

The ‘cocoon-like’ styling of the interior, the four, low-slung bucket seats and prominent transmission tunnel reinforce the Saab 9X’s performance mission. The instrument layout and interior ambience also evoke a subtle hint of Saab’s aviation antecedence. However, Mauer is quick to point out that his team consciously refused to play ‘the retro card’ when adopting a design theme for the Saab 9X. “I think so-called ‘retro-styling’ is something of a soft option these days which can be overplayed to the point of cliché,” he says. “We are looking ahead with this car – not backwards. The emphasis on performance and versatility, alone, echoes a strong Saab tradition. And there are other features, of course. However, we should not be prisoners of our past.”

The Saab 9X’s handling and performance are expected to place it firmly at the head of the compact, sports coupe class. Again, the design team were clear that the Saab 9X’s credentials as a pure driver’s car should not be compromised by the need to incorporate talents in other areas.

“We wanted to create a car which, in itself, should be a joy to drive,” says Mauer. “For example, I would like the owners of this car to want to get up in the morning and head off to work half an hour early, perhaps, so they can take a little detour, just for the sheer joy of driving.”

Into Four Dimensions
Ensuring the Saab 9X had those other, unconventional talents, was a more detailed, technical challenge for the design team. The innovative way all this is executed and accommodated within one vehicle sets the Saab 9X apart. “The more unusual features had to work well and give real benefits,” says Mauer. “This is a car for the real world.”

For example, the roof system comprises two separate, fully powered glass panels that can be easily removed and stowed onboard – without taking up important boot space. Similarly, the roof panels do not have to be left at home in the garage, as is the case for roadsters with a conventional, removable hard-top.

The Saab 9X also offers a completely flat, fully useable load space with an extended volume comparable to a medium-sized wagon. And all this within a sporty format.

However, it is the adoption of a traditional two (A + B) pillar coupe-like foundation which, ironically, gives Mauer and his team the freedom to introduce their most eye-catching innovation – the pick-up, or ‘fourth’ dimension.

They have been able to achieve a completely open, unobstructed rear deck because, unlike a sedan, hatchback or conventional wagon, the Saab 9X does not have roof reinforcements connecting the small ‘C’ pillars. The structural integrity of the car is ensured by the permanent roof rail, a stressed cross-member, connecting the substantial ‘B’ pillars.

Aft of this line, the body can be completely open because the team have dispensed with a traditional tailgate hinged from the roof. The detachable rail at the rear is required solely to mount the rearmost roof panel and locate the retractable rear door window.

The benefits of this layout are optimised by another key innovation: the extending rear load space. Here Mauer says the team took inspiration from the sliding floor feature of the Saab 9-5 Sportwagon. For the more compact Saab 9X, it was essential to be able to enlarge the rear loadspace. “We took the sliding floor concept and developed it a bit more,” he says. “It is now fully automatic and we were able to add ‘walls’ at the sides. The extending floor carries the tailgate, of course, which can also be lowered to create even more load space.”

Another innovative feature developed from the Saab 9-5 Sportwagon is the adoption of load-securing tracks to allow leisure items and all sorts of cargo to be stowed safely and securely. The system is extremely flexible in use and for additional practicality the team has also introduced new hard-wearing materials for the rear of the car.

“We have put together a package that allows people to interact with the car during their other activities, apart from driving,” says Mauer. “You can carry a surfboard, a small dinghy, skis, or whatever, and still have enough room to take some luggage. You can have the roof up, roof down or half way up and half way down!

“Whilst the car’s proportions are not those of a family car, the rear seating is adequate and the headroom is particularly good for a car of this type. There is easily enough room for adults or children for short journeys.”

Into the Future
Mauer describes the Saab 9X as a ‘signpost’ to the future. “Saab must continue to push out the boundaries of design,” he says. “Of course, we will not specialise in producing only ‘niche’ products such as the Saab 9X. We see other opportunities to put together features from different types of vehicle… some interesting solutions are possible.

“There are no major technical obstacles to prevent the car going into production and I very much hope we produce it, or something very similar. This car is an icon for the future of Saab – it shows where we are going. It is real, physical proof that Saab is embarked on a very exciting journey.”