2008 Paris Auto Show: Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid

• Hybrid / biofuel powertrain
• Hints at compact Saab in the future
• Topless Swedes – always appreciated

• Convertible top looks like bad toupee when up
• Saab concepts always much bolder than resulting production vehicle
• Powertrain combination seems unlikely in the near term

Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volkswagen GTI

The Swedish division of GM is determined to survive the General's troubles with such cutting-edge designs as the four-passenger Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid concept car. Low and sleek, the "Air" part comes from a fabric folding top that stows under the rear deck, and the BioHybrid part comes from the Saab BioPower 1.4-liter E85 engine, which has been turbocharged for an output of 200 horsepower, and the accompanying lithium-ion battery pack. Word is this engine is a long way from production, if ever, but the Air's terrific styling could be on the market within a couple of years.

In the last twelve months, Saab sales have shrunk by one-third. Saab's current product line is in need of some serious love, as only a handful of professors in Maine buy the Saab 9-5, its 9-7 is decent but a goner, and Saab can only produce so many varieties of the 9-3 before it's spun off in to its own brand. The 9-X Air BioHybrid delivers this love with an attractive combination of open-air motoring and high-tech fuel efficiency. While the 9-X Air BioHybrid is only a concept, the smaller platform hints at plans for a possible 9-1, or a more compact 9-3.

The major styling differentiator on the 9-X Air BioHybrid is the unique "canopy top" that functions in a way that maintains prominently the two rear pillars, even when the top is down – think a coupe with its roof missing. The use of wraparound glass is particularly eye-catching too. Of note is a partnership between Saab and Sony-Ericsson to use this concept as a showcase for wireless connectivity between the car and handheld devices such as mobile phones (Saab, it's called Sync, get some).

The 9-X Air BioHybrid is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine coupled to a lithium-ion based electric motor. The engine's ability to run on E85 ethanol fuel puts the "bio" in BioHybrid. While the 1.4-liter engine is already confirmed for production in the Chevrolet Cruze, it seems unlikely that the hybrid powertrain will come to fruition in the near term. The engine produces 197 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox pushing power through the front wheels (which is strange because typically Saab has used the "X" designation to imply all-wheel drive).

Like a handful of Saab concepts we've seen over the past couple years, we're impressed with the design execution of the 9-X Air BioHybrid, and the fuel-efficient powertrain is a nice touch too. The problem is, dealers can't sell concepts, and given Saab's track record of actually turning concepts into reality, we'll really start caring when Saab announces production.

By Elliot Darvick and Greg Brown Photo credit: Greg Brown