The Geneva Concept

[Willy Wonka]

Originally Posted by Mattlach

I'd be happier if engineers designed the concept from the beginning.

Heck... Keep the artsy types out of the equation all together

Very funny. Scientists feel the same way about engineers. Just kidding.

The concept has been well executed. The team aught to be given some kudos.

[Mattlach]

Originally Posted by Willy Wonka

Very funny. Scientists feel the same way about engineers. Just kidding.

The concept has been well executed. The team aught to be given some kudos.

Well, one of the things I've always loved about saab is that they have traditionally used a no-nonsense form follows function approach. I'd hate to lose that.

[SaabKen]

I'd prefer the artsy types to just ask me: "Would you like fries with that, sir ?"

Sorry, I'm a scientist at heart and by training, and I work with many engineers .....

Originally Posted by Mattlach

I'd be happier if engineers designed the concept from the beginning.

Heck... Keep the artsy types out of the equation all together

Let the people with their feet on the ground build the damned thing, and we'll contact the artists when we need an art gallery, or an interpetive dance show.

[Willy Wonka]

Originally Posted by Mattlach

Well, one of the things I've always loved about saab is that they have traditionally used a no-nonsense form follows function approach. I'd hate to lose that.

Well we agree, there. That having been said, an engineer and designer by the name of Jim Hall once designed a car. It was so stiff that it was called "eye ball jiggler". He did it with aluminum. Though to this day, I remember his brake light switch more that the chassis. I suppose if the mars traveler can twist, why should only the springs twist on a car.

[cinemarr]

Originally Posted by cinemarr

that to me looks like a CGI model soI'll wait to see the real car.

then I'll come down on it like a ton of bricks.

Holy crap!!! that thing is beautiful, I take it all back!

Beautiful wrap around windscreen, beautiful rear. Normal doors would be classier tho.

[saabboy1]

Saab needed a home run, they got a GRAND SLAM!!!

[saab9x]

ah, now i see why they (re)moved the link on the geneva website (w3.salon-auto.ch). that graphic of the aero-x is a _poor_ representation, at best! (and here i spent most of my 150-mile commute today thinking about getting away from saab because i thought that's what the aero-x looks like.)

after seeing _new_ pics, i'm impressed by the aero-x. i'm shaking--it's that good.

it's beautiful. the rear is fantastic. how the ****pit opens is "cool beans."

gm would be crazy not to put that car into production--2 versions; 1, 300hp; the other, 400hp. that car will make a lot of people take (serious) notice of saab.

saab needs to flood its webpage with pics/video of that thing. ...make new commercials with it, too.

well done, saab team!

[Saabhuy]

I think to the Bertone concept of last year Geneva show

[Saabhuy]

But the saab look even better

[Mattlach]

Originally Posted by Saabhuy

But the saab look even better

Too bad they didn't make it a mid-rear engine

[saabboy1]

They still could, this is only the concept.

[Mattlach]

Originally Posted by saabboy1

They still could, this is only the concept.

They could... But there really isn't much to draw from the GM parts bin in this respect, so I doubt it will happen. I mean, even the Corvette is front engine...

[aero1116]

Originally Posted by Saabhuy

I think to the Bertone concept of last year Geneva show

Those rims look more Saab-like to me.

[saabboy1]

I think this vehicle is a statement from GM, saying Saab is going to be a higher class vehicle than in previous years! The new Saab!

[aeromac]

In this pict you can realize the Sonett heritage, particularly at the rear, with the Zagatto-like angle, and the black colour contrast.
The side view also shows very similar proportions and angles. Particularly the downward position of the rear axle.

[Coley]

I love the back, unmistakeable and like nothing else on the street, hmm at $40k an Aero-x or a Z4 let me think

[1985 Gripen]

I keep reading people reminding others that this is just a CONCEPT, but there was some talk about depending on public reaction it could be produced.

However, I think there are some serious flaws with this design which could make this car a death-trap. That would be a new direction for a company whose tradition of exemplary safety sets it apart from others.

That doors/top assembly: it has to be lightweight enough for a human to open it. The tradeoff with light weight is strength. The only way they can make that assembly as strong as steel, but light enough to open would be to make it from carbon fiber, which would put the price of this vehicle out of the pricerange of most potential buyers.

Or, it could be made from fiberglass or aluminum. However, SAAB has a tradition of safety-mindedness (is that a word? It is now...) and for years has reinforced the tops and A-pillars of their cars to protect occupants in event of rollover. I don't think that fiberglass or aluminum will hold up to the weight of the car in event of a rollover. Maybe they can install those pop-up rollbars like the 9-3 'vert has?

Okay, so you're driving your hot new 400 hp Aero-X and you're the envy of all. On your way to the gas station for more E85 (this is a fantasy scanario...) you're cut off by someone not paying attention while driving talking on their cell phone, and in the process of the ensuing accident your car rolls upside down. Miraculously the pop-up rollbars kept you from being crushed, but you notice out your window that there's a fire.

Rescue crews are on-scene and rush over to open your door. Oh wait, this is one of those funky new Aero-X cars with the sliding ****pit thing. Better get the jaws of life, because there's no way to open the door with the car setting on its roof. Hope those rescue workers can work fast...

This is a fantasy scenario, but the possibility of a rollover has been important enough in the past for SAAB to both reinforce the top and pillars on their hard-top cars and install pop-up rollbars on the 'verts. How could they ensure the safety of the occupants of the Aero-X in event of a rollover?

Also, Mattlach brought up a good point I didn't think of about the body flex.

[1985 Gripen]

That trunk (boot) is aweful. I know it's meant to remind one of the Sonett's, but it's tiny and useless. Once you open the tiny hatch, you'd have to reach way over to put your groceries or golf clubs, or whatever in there. I can see scratches all over the top of the rear end between the bottom of this hatch and the rear of the car resulting.

Some of you are probably rolling your eyes as I point out practical things like this, and you're thinking that I just don't "get it". Well, SAAB's tradition has been form FOLLOWS function. This car is not very utilitarian.

Where's the fuel door? Will this car have the yellow gas cap like the American GM cars are going to have, signifying that it's ethanol-capable (yellow being the color of corn, which is the main crop used for ethanol creation here in the U.S.)?

For more on the yellow gas cap which will be installed on GM's FlexFuel-capable cars mid-2006: LiveGreenGoYellow

[Keebler]

Did anyone notice that the mechanism in opening the top involves the doors moving independant of the top and windscreen, it looks really cool. Also, if you look at the top of the vehicle most of it is glass, you would have no problem rescuing anyone by just breaking the glass roof.

[Keebler]

furthermore, no one who buys a $40,000+ two door sports coupe is looking for functionality/practicality.