saab: phoenix at geneva motor show 2011

the saab ‘phoenix’ concept car

on display at geneva motor show 2011, the saab ‘phoenix’ is a hybrid sports vehicle, sculpted in a wind tunnel and engineered for optimum aerodynamic efficiency. the minimalistic interior is serviced by the company’s android-based IQon infotainment system, the first open platform service environment used in a commercial vehicle.

the prototype concept car on display at geneva motor show 2011 image courtesy of car

based on a highly aerodynamic, ‘aeromotional’ design that highlights the aviation roots of the company, the car features a low front and cabin, which flows into a hood and tapered rear deck. side and roof-mounted winglets, modeled after the flying buttresses of architectural planning, channel airflow from the sides of the vehicle across the rear deck to reduce lift. a small segment of the hood is cut away at the base of the windshield to reveal part of the engine bay.

the 2-seater concept model features vertical butterfly doors, so that neither door handles nor mirrors disrupts the airflow around the vehicle. a newly designed three-port grille at the vehicle’s front is flanked by LED headlamps.

front view

profile view

rear view

the saab IQon service platform, based on android by google, automatically connects to the internet when the car is turned on, interfacing with a range of customizable third-party applications to provide expansive user functionality. the system, which is already in onroad beta testing, also facilitates regular updating.

the first car company to move towards an open platform operating system, saab plans to develop a vehicle API to provide access to 500 kinds of vehicle sensory data, from speed and location to steering wheel angle, temperature, and the sun’s position. all applications will be evaluated by saab before becoming available in the company’s IQon app store. the platform will mark one of the most immersive opportunities for application development open to the public domain.

elaboration on and demo of the IQon infotainment system

the ‘phoenix’ is designed as a hybrid, all-wheel drive vehicle, with an electrically driven rear axle pipelined to a 200hp gasoline turbo engine. the combined cycle fuel efficiency is projected to be 47mpg (5 L/100 km), with carbon emissions at 119g/km.

according to jason castriota, saab’s executive design director, the ‘aeromotional’ aesthetics of the ‘phoenix’ will continue to characterize the design of future saab models.

the car was engineered for aerodynamic efficiency, and its sculptural details determined through wind tunnel testing

detail on winglets

the IQon infotainment system is based on google android

screenshot of IQon infotainment system in use

history of the concept, elaboration of the features, and process footage of the ‘phoenix’

design director jason castriota describes the design process of the ‘phoenix’