Saab 9-X BioHybrid makes American debut in New York

Saab 9-X BioHybrid makes American debut in New York

Wheels

By: ROBINSON/BEINTEMA AUTOFILES

Following its world premiere at the Geneva auto show earlier this month, the award-winning Saab 9-X BioHybrid premium compact concept made its American debut at the New York International Auto Show.

The editors of AutoWeek, one of North America's most respected and longest standing automotive enthusiast magazines, voted the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Best Concept of the Geneva show.

With this award, the 9-X joined the very successful Saab Aero X coupe concept, which received AutoWeek's Best in Show honors at its debut two years ago in Geneva.

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 9-X concepts, the 9-X BioHybrid also demonstrates the potential for ultra-efficient power from a 200 hp, 1.4L 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.

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 43 mph (70 km/h), the upper and lower bodywork is reshaped as the roof spoiler automatically extends to further lengthen the roofline. An underbody diffuser is deployed from the bottom of the rear bumper.

The four-seat 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 molding, 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.

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