Saab puts 9-X Biohybrid production development on hold
Click on the 9-X BioHybrid Concept for a high-res gallery
When Saab unveiled its 9-X BioHybrid concept at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year it was expected be added to the Swedish brand's lineup in the next few years. In its original form, the car was built on GM's Global Compact Car (Delta) architecture which also underpins the Chevrolet Cruze and the next generation Opel Astra. In recent months Saab has decided to downsize other models, notably the 9-3 from the current mid-size Epsilon platform to the smaller Delta. That means the 9-X (likely to be called 9-1) in production will also shrink further. Saab has reportedly halted development on the 9-1 while it determines whether it wants to compact in the premium small car segment against the likes of the MINI and Fiat 500. If it does, the 9-1 will probably change its drivetrain. The concept was shown with a 200 hp flex-fuel version of GM's new 1.4L direct injected turbo 4-cylinder paired up with the company's second generation mild hybrid system. A smaller car would likely use a significantly less powerful drivetrain.
[Source: Left Lane News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Noz 9:01PM (8/03/2008)
Slowly but surely...this will be put on hold, that will be pulled, this will be canceled...
Essentially all this crap is window dressing....what we will get is the dumbed down versions of everything they wanted to show us.
And in the process, they will wildly fluctuate fuel prices (all driven by supply and demand "OF COURSE" for all the dumbasses who think that actually is the case) to make huge profits and give us nothing substantial in return.
Boy....we are being duped to an enormous scale.
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Harold Tripp 9:44PM (8/03/2008)
I cannot understand why some company like ford or gm, an american company that is about to go out of business will not put a ford range or something like the rav4ev back on the market????? It will sell like hot cakes and possible save the company from going out of business??? please tell me why we cannot get this type of car or truck now when we really need it???????
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Ignatius 1:19AM (8/04/2008)
This looks a lot like the Volt... O.o
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Rick 7:53PM (8/04/2008)
I can't stand the two opposing angles for the roof and top body line.
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Wildgoosechase 4:52PM (8/04/2008)
As far as not needing as powerful of a powertrain this is true, but if a car the size of a Mini had 200+ hp, that would would be one wild ride. Consider the profits that a WRX STI brings this could save SAAB.
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