SAAB 9-X BIOHYBRID & 9-4X BIOPOWER

For the first time in a long time, Saab have given us all a glimpse into their future with these two concepts at the Geneva Motor Show. The 9-X BioHybrid is a sort of blended sports hatch and crossover SUV, and almost certainly previews many design elements of their upcoming 9-1 premium small car. The front end takes the new Saab look now seen on the face lifted 9-3 to the next level, with clean lines and powerful proportions, particularly around the flared arches and darkened headlight lenses. What won't make production is an automatic rear spoiler, which raises above 70 km/hr, completely transforming the neat air-craft like shape into something akin to that Suzuki Peaks Climbing machine. Saab's newly found hallmark in LED tail lights continue to give the rear a minimalist look. While the concept has no engine in it at this stage, Saab says there will be a 1.4 Turbo Bio unit with a hybrid component, reducing CO2 emissions to an incredible 105g/km. If that engine makes production, then Saab will have jumped the gun on everyone else in the race to put a Bio Turbo Diesel Hybrid into production.

While the body of the 9-X is largely fiction at this stage, much closer to production is the 9-4X BioPower Concept, which looks nothing more than a tarted up version of Saab's much anticipated SUV. Classic Saab characteristics like the clamshell bonnet, concaved C-pillar, and clean, crisp surfaces are clear to see here. The snout is similar to that seen on the new generation of Saabs, albeit more butch and at an altogether larger scale due to the bigger proportions of the SUV. The nicely swepped back rear window sits above enlarged LED tail light units. Ignore the horrid 2-tone paintwork and the 9-4X is one nicely proportioned SUV, and arguably more resolved and appealing than existing German opposition, such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes ML-Class. The interior also looks close to production, and appears to be a massive step forward for Saab. The dash fascia is still angled around the driver (thankfully), and we've lost none of those little Saab traits, such as the trick air vents and centre ignition tunnel, but everything now feels much less 1980s. Surfaces are as clean and crisp as they are outside, and fit and finish look to be up to par in a segment where excellence is the norm. It appears that Saab have finally taken a leaf out of Volvo's book and learnt how to blend striking Scandinavian design with a bit of substance and quality. Of course it wouldn't be a Saab if it didn't have a turbo, and ethanol-blended fuel capabilities for that matter, and the 9-4X has both. A 2.0 turbo with Bio-blend ability pulls the 'concept' along with the help of Saab's excellent new XWD, recently introduced in the 9-3 Turbo X.

The 9-4X, along with the upcoming 9-1 small hatch, can't come soon enough for Saab. Thanks to the mis-management of GM, the once iconic Swedish marque is struggling on the sales front thanks to a small, ageing line up. These two models will give Saab the boost it thoroughly deserves, and with the new 9-3 compact exec due for completion in late '09/early 2010, the future looks stronger than it did a couple of years ago. Whether their cars are your cup of tea or not, the automotive world is a brighter place with Saab in it.