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April 28, 2006
Aero X Concept Showcases Future Saab Design Direction
American debut at New York Auto Show coincides with Saab 50 Years in the U.S.
New York, N.Y. -- The 2006 Saab Aero X concept car, voted 'Best of Show' at its world premiere in Geneva, is making its American debut at the New York International Auto Show. The arrival of the Aero X in Manhattan coincides with the 50-year anniversary of Saab sales activities in the United States, which started at the 1956 New York Show.
Saab is one name and two companies. The car business, Saab Automobile AB, is now wholly owned by General Motors, the world's largest auto maker, and the Saab Group is a global leader in the application of advanced technologies, specializing in aerospace and defense systems.
Saab 9-3 Convertible Car
The Saab Aero X concept harnesses the power of Saab's aviation and Scandinavian roots to make a unique statement in performance car design.
First, there are no doors...or windshield pillars. That's because the Saab Aero X adopts a cockpit canopy, just as you would see on a jet aircraft. It offers the Aero X pilot full 180 degree vision, and also facilitates entry and exit from its low-slung cabin.
"After its stunning performance in Geneva, we can't wait to show the Aero X to the press and public here in America", said Jay Spenchian, Saab Automobile USA general manager. "There's no better way to celebrate 50 years and over 500,000 Saabs in the United States, than by showing our future design direction with the Aero X in the city where our American business originally took off."
As one would expect from Saab, this dynamic two-seater sports coupe breaks with automotive design convention both outside and inside.
Thrust for the all-wheel-drive Saab Aero X also comes from a powerplant with a difference. The 400 bhp, twin-turbo, BioPower V6 engine is fueled entirely by ethanol, a sustainable energy source that is kinder to the environment by cutting fossil CO2 emissions. The 'green power' of this advanced engine gives new meaning to the phrase 'performance with responsibility'.
Inside, the Saab Aero X's cockpit also adds a new dimension to clean Scandinavian interior design by completely eliminating conventional dials and buttons. Instead, Saab has applied techniques derived from Swedish glass and precision instrument making, displaying data on glass-like acrylic 'clear zones' in graphic 3-D images.
All exterior and interior lighting is by LED (light-emitting diode), which has given the design team new freedom to exploit the compact packaging benefits of a technology that will be featured increasingly in future Saab products.
With weight-saving carbon fiber bodywork, a lightweight powertrain, electronically controlled suspension and all-wheel drive, the Saab Aero X is an exciting driver's car that promises a level of performance to match its looks. Computer simulations anticipate zero to 60mph/100 kph in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph/250 kph (limited).
"This concept shows the exciting possibilities that are open to us as we evolve a more progressive design language for the brand," says Jan Ã…ke Jonsson, Saab Automobile's Managing Director. "Our designers, engineers and marketers in Sweden are ideally placed to nurture and communicate the unique DNA of the Saab brand. Their work will ensure that future product proposals express core qualities, such as progressive design, sporty performance and emotional functionality, in a way that is specific to Saab."
Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 cars and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:35 PM | Link to this Post
