Saab Aero-X
Encyclopedia
Saab Aero-X is a concept car
by Saab
unveiled at the 2006 Salon International de l'Auto
. It is powered by a 2.8 L twin-turbocharged V6 running on pure ethanol
that produces 300 kW. 0 to 100 kilometre per hour is predicted to be 4.9 s and top speed is limited to 250 kilometre per hour. It has a 7-speed manual transmission
controlled by paddles on the steering wheel.
Like the Saab Turbo X, the Aero-X has four wheel drive
. The doors and windscreen are connected, so instead of using conventional doors or even gullwing doors, it uses a cockpit canopy
where the entire top section of the car is opened. This offered the Aero X's driver full 180 degree vision, and also facilitates entry and exit from its low-slung cabin. The body is made of carbon fiber
. The suspension is electronically controlled. Even though it is a compact two-seat sports car
, it has reasonable storage, as the rear features two storage facilities, with a conventional hatchback and sliding drawer underneath.
The interior offers "clean Scandinavian interior design". The car has no ordinary dials and buttons; instead, data is displayed on acrylic 'clear zones' in graphic 3D images. All interior and exterior lights utilize LEDs
.
Although only a concept car, it has been well received, with many fans calling for its production. Victor Muller
has responded on the SaabsUnited.com website, saying that it is not a priority for the company right now.
"This study shows how the strength of the Saab brand heritage can inspire bold, innovative design," said Bryan Nesbitt
, the Executive Director of GM Design Europe. "As we move forward with new Saab product, we will remain focused on carefully cultivating this brand equity in the context of Scandinavian design values."
"This concept shows the exciting possibilities that are open to us as we evolve a more progressive design language for the Saab brand," says Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab'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." Elements of the cars frontal design have emerged in later Saab models, notably the design refresh of the Saab 9-3 Sports Sedan, the second generation Saab 9-5 and the upcoming Saab 9-4X
.
The Aero-X was rumored to make its cinematic début in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
, with fans speculating that it may be used for the Autobot
Wheeljack
. However, it was not used.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
by Saab
Saab Automobile
Saab Automobile AB, better known as Saab , is a Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Swedish Automobile NV, formerly Spyker Cars NV. It is the exclusive automobile Royal Warrant holder as appointed by the King of Sweden...
unveiled at the 2006 Salon International de l'Auto
Salon International de l'Auto
The International Geneva Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Geneva Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport...
. It is powered by a 2.8 L twin-turbocharged V6 running on pure ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
that produces 300 kW. 0 to 100 kilometre per hour is predicted to be 4.9 s and top speed is limited to 250 kilometre per hour. It has a 7-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
controlled by paddles on the steering wheel.
Like the Saab Turbo X, the Aero-X has four wheel drive
Four Wheel Drive
The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company, more often known as Four Wheel Drive or just FWD, was founded in 1909 in Clintonville, Wisconsin, as the Badger Four-Wheel Drive Auto Company by Otto Zachow and William Besserdich.-History:...
. The doors and windscreen are connected, so instead of using conventional doors or even gullwing doors, it uses a cockpit canopy
Vehicle canopy
A vehicle canopy is a rarely used type of door for cars. It has no official name so it is also known as an articulated canopy, bubble canopy, cockpit canopy, canopy door, or simply a canopy. A canopy is a type of door which sits on top of a car and lifts up in some way, to provide access for...
where the entire top section of the car is opened. This offered the Aero X's driver full 180 degree vision, and also facilitates entry and exit from its low-slung cabin. The body is made of carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
. The suspension is electronically controlled. Even though it is a compact two-seat sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
, it has reasonable storage, as the rear features two storage facilities, with a conventional hatchback and sliding drawer underneath.
The interior offers "clean Scandinavian interior design". The car has no ordinary dials and buttons; instead, data is displayed on acrylic 'clear zones' in graphic 3D images. All interior and exterior lights utilize LEDs
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
.
Although only a concept car, it has been well received, with many fans calling for its production. Victor Muller
Victor Muller
Victor Roberto Muller is a Dutch businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Dutch car company Spyker Cars NV, and current chairman and CEO of the Swedish car company Saab Automobile AB.-Education and early career:...
has responded on the SaabsUnited.com website, saying that it is not a priority for the company right now.
"This study shows how the strength of the Saab brand heritage can inspire bold, innovative design," said Bryan Nesbitt
Bryan Nesbitt
Bryan Nesbitt is an automobile designer and currently head of General Motors Corporation International Operations Design, based in Shanghai, China. Nesbitt is also brand chairman for Wuling and Baojun, two automakers with which G.M...
, the Executive Director of GM Design Europe. "As we move forward with new Saab product, we will remain focused on carefully cultivating this brand equity in the context of Scandinavian design values."
"This concept shows the exciting possibilities that are open to us as we evolve a more progressive design language for the Saab brand," says Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab'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." Elements of the cars frontal design have emerged in later Saab models, notably the design refresh of the Saab 9-3 Sports Sedan, the second generation Saab 9-5 and the upcoming Saab 9-4X
Saab 9-4X
The Saab 9-4X is a mid-size crossover SUV introduced by Swedish automaker Saab Automobile at the LA Auto Show 2010. It is based on the all-wheel drive GM Theta Premium platform. The 9-4X will begin production in 2011 and is scheduled to be built at Ramos Arizpe, Mexico...
.
The Aero-X was rumored to make its cinematic début in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a 2009 American science fiction-action film directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is the sequel to the 2007 film Transformers and the second installment in the live-action Transformers series...
, with fans speculating that it may be used for the Autobot
Autobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...
Wheeljack
Wheeljack
Wheeljack is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Wheeljack is the mechanical engineer and scientist of the Autobots in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara and Hasbro. His...
. However, it was not used.
External links
- AeroX - official site
- Saab Aero-X
- Saab Aero-X concept photos - shows pictures of the car and how it was built