PARIS — Saab has come up with the convertible showstopper at the 2008 Paris Auto Show in the form of the 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept. The Swedish automaker describes the groundbreaking concept as "a design vision exploring what a future open-air Saab could look like."
Intriguing details include what Saab says is a patent-pending "canopy top" made of fabric to save weight and improve packaging. It folds into three small sections under a rear tonneau cover in the trunk deck. The iconoclastic design includes prominent rear pillars that curve upward to mount the canopy top.
The four-passenger 9-X Air also skips a trunk lid in favor of a sliding drawer that is big enough for two golf bags — the gold standard in convertible trunk design.
The 9-X Air is the sister vehicle of the 9-X BioHybrid Concept, which was shown at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show.
The new concept uses a 1.4-liter Saab BioPower engine that uses E85. The engine delivers 200 horsepower and goes from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than 8.1 seconds.
What this means to you: Saab takes a major step forward in convertible design, with hints that it could end up in your driveway at some point. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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