9-X air concept reinvents Saab cabrio

Over 25 years after unveiling the first four-seater convertible to the world, Saab's design classic takes on a new form in the shape of the 9-X Air concept car.

Set to be revealed at the Paris Motorshow on Thursday, the 9-X Air concept provides a tantalising glimpse of what a future convertible from Saab could look like.

Featuring a unique canopy top, the 9-X Air breaks the mould of conventional convertibles by incorporating prominent rear pillars which curve upwards to mount the flat folding roof. With the top down, motorists can enjoy open-top motoring free from buffeting, and with the top up the 9-X Air assumes the appearance of a true coupe.

The 9-X Air's raked rear pillars support the canopy top - itself a development of the Targa roof principle - with a separate rear screen located between them. Instead of having a manually detachable roof section, the Saab vanopy top is fully powered in operation and folds away in the storage trunk. Saab has already filed a patent for this radical design.

The clean, sculpted body contours of the 9-X Air give fresh expression to Saab's Scandinavian-inspired design ethos and its aircraft heritage. The purposeful stance, with minimal overhangs front and rear, is complemented by a single, wraparound window graphic, smooth uncluttered body surfaces and 'ice block' lighting themes.

Anthony Lo, director of advanced design at General Motors Europe, said: "Like her sister, the 9-X BioHybrid, this car is all about efficiency in design and performance. It offers important benefits in weight-saving and packaging as well as giving us the freedom to take convertible design forward."

The 9-X Air and its hatchback sibling also showcase seamless, wireless connectivity (Bluetooth) with one or multiple nomadic devices (mobile phones, PDAs, etc.).

The 9-X Air's small, 1.4-litre Saab Bio Power engine combines a series of measures for more responsible performance: engine rightsizing, turbocharging, the use of biofuels and hybrid technology. Running on E85 fuel (85 per cent bioethanol and 15 per cent petrol), the engine delivers a sporty 200 hp (147 kW), giving zero to 62 mph acceleration in 8.1 seconds and projected CO2 tailpipe emissions of just 107 g/km over the combined cycle. Compared to normal petrol, the overall environmental impact on a source-to-wheel basis of using E85 is even more beneficial.

This 'surround glass' feature, together with an active wind deflector on top of the windshield header rail, provides enhanced occupant comfort. It minimises buffeting, reduces back drafts and eliminates the need for a wind deflector net. Separating the rear screen from the folding top also enables a larger glass area than is feasible with a soft top and integral screen.

In a further break with design convention, the 9-X Air dispenses with a boot lid. Instead, a large storage compartment, big enough to accommodate two golf bags, slides out from underneath the rear light bar. To save weight, it is spring-loaded, without any power assistance, and slides effortlessly on rollers. Revealed underneath the sliding drawer is a separate compartment for stowing smaller items.