Thursday, March 3, 2011

Saab PhoeniX Concept shows off ‘aeromotional’ design

Very nice concept, glad SAAB didn't go under....

My first visit to a top international motor show was Paris 2006, which will be remembered as the debut venue of the Audi R8 and concepts like the VW Iroc, which has morphed into today’s Scirocco. All very nice, but there was one display at the Paris Expo that stopped this writer in his tracks, and it wasn’t even a world debut!

That car was the Saab Aero-X concept, a super sleek coupe with a jet style cockpit canopy that lifts upwards. It was a cool nod to Saab’s aviation roots, and guess what, they have repeated the same trick for Geneva 2011 in spectacular fashion. The automotive world would be much less interesting if not for individual brands like Saab – thank god they were saved from death at the last hour.

This PhoeniX concept showcases design features and technologies that will appear in the next generation of Saabs. Based on a new architecture which will underpin the next Saab 9-3, the PhoeniX introduces ‘aeromotional’ design, which Saab describes as “a visual evocation of the aerodynamic design principles and passion for innovation that inspired the creators of Saab’s first car, the iconic Ursaab.”

The slippery PhoeniX has a low drag Cd of just 0.25 and explores the potential for airflow management through the use of distinctive, side-mounted ‘winglets’. Butterfly opening doors give easy access to a low slung 2+2 cabin.

Source with more pics and text;
http://paultan.org/2011/03/02/saab-phoenix-concept-shows-off-aeromotional-design/#more-54273

1 comment:

Sean L said...

it's a good idea to broke witn GM