Saab PhoeniX: Saab give good Concept

Saab PhoeniX Concept

Saab has brought along a new concept to Geneva – the Saab PhoeniX – which points the way to the new Saab 9-3

Saab always did do good concepts. And they’ve delved in to their past for a bit of inspiration for the Saab PhoeniX Concept. Even if that history was only five years ago, and the Saab Aero X Concept.

But the design has moved on since the Aero X, and the PhoeniX sports what Saab are calling ‘aeromotional’ design which ’embraces teardrop, ‘liquid metal’ forms and a dramatic jet canopy-inspired glasshouse’.

We think it seems likely that ‘New’ Saab wish to conjure up Saab’s aeronautical past to justify a design direction as much as ‘GM’ Saab or ‘Old’ Saab ever did. And why not? It’s nice to have a properly focused design direction, especially if it looks good. And the PhoeniX Concept does look good.

Saab are saying the PhoeniX points to a new design for Saab, and it’s clear the PhoeniX is a conceptualised version of the next Saab 9-3. The stylish interior gets Saab’s new iQon Infotainment setup with a big 8″ touchscreen and running Android, together with a very Swedish, minimalist feel.

The PhoeniX is built on the platform of the next 9-3 and sports a 200bhp version of BMW’s 1.6 litre petrol with 200bhp and out back there’s a 33bhp electric motor to make the PhoeniX a Saab XWD. There are butterfly doors and little winglets on the roof.

Saab say the PhoeniX – with the 200bhp lump and eXWD rear wheel drive – will do 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, 56.5mpg and have emissions of 119g/km

A convincing concept and a convincing way forward. Architects everywhere rejoice.