Saab ready to Air it out

A full quarter-century after unveiling its first convertible concept, Saab is all set to show off its sleek new drop-top concept, the 9-X Air.

The 9-X Air concept incorporates prominent rear pillars which curve upwards to mount the flat folding top. They also anchor a wraparound glasshouse, including a separate, recessed rear screen. Saab says that with the top down, occupants will enjoy a ride free from buffeting thanks to an aerodynamic shape, rear screen and an active wind deflector on top of the windshield header rail. This front wind deflector rises and falls automatically based on the vehicle's speed.

The 9-X Air was designed in parallel with another Saab concept, the 9-X BioHybrid. Both share the same frontal styling and turbocharged 1.4-litre engine. It produces 200-horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque (from as low as 1750 rpm.) and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds according to the automaker. It can also run on E85 fuel.

The canopy top is made of fabric (the same fabric used in current production Saab convertibles) instead of metal to save on weight, and folds into the into the rear tonneau in three sections. This is all done fully automatically. With the rear screen in its exposed position, occupants are treated to a complete glass surround when the top is down.

"Convertibles are traditionally developed from a sedan body and have a flat, open rear deck when the hood is down," says designer Anthony Lo., director of advanced design at General Motors Europe.

"The Canopy Top has allowed us to introduce the rear pillars, which completely change the usual appearance of a convertible, giving it a more dynamic, coupé look," Lo says. "The pillars also anchor a complete wraparound glasshouse, which shelters the occupants from buffeting when the car is open."

What this does is completely change the look of the 9-X Air concept when compared to typical convertibles that typically leave the back of the cabin open when stowed.

The top-up design could even be considered safer than other convertibles. Compared to the 'stitched in' screen of a conventional soft-top, the glass area of the 9-X Air’s rear screen is larger, offering the driver a wider field of vision.

The 9-X Air concept doesn't even use a typical trunk. Instead, a storage compartment slides out from underneath the rear light bar. This compartment is large enough to store two golf bags according to Saab, and is spring loaded to save weight. A separate compartment for stowing smaller items is revealed underneath this large sliding drawer.

Like all Saabs, production or otherwise, the 9-X Air's interior is driver-oriented, though this concept takes it to the extreme. Instead of simply tilting the centre stack toward the driver, for example, one will find that the driver information zone is on the top of the door moulding - far out of reach of anyone but the driver. A row of five display screens is embedded and illuminated in green 3-D graphics, complete with the ever-popular 'infotainment' screen and control panel in the driver’s door.