How Is This A Saab?
Saab’s PhoeniX concept has two very different purposes: Saab’s Chief Designer Jason Castriota claims the point of the concept was to create buzz and draw attention to the fact that Saab is still around, but it also provides the first look at a new platform that will underpin future iterations of the 9-5, 9-3 and 9-4X. Saab’s Jan-Åke Jonsson tells What Car? that flexibility is key to the new platform, and that “though expensive” it will ultimately save Saab money, saying
We will be able to use the same powertrains in all our vehicles and build them in the same plant (Trollhattan in Sweden), so there are lots of benefits
Which makes you wonder where the money is coming from to develop an all-new, flexible platform. But the PhoeniX Concept also forces you to ask another question: how exactly is this thing a Saab, anyway? At least that’s what former BMW designer Chris Bangle wondered. Hit the jump to see Bangle tussle over the issue with Castriota [courtesy: CarDesignNews], before the Saab designer goes over the Phoenix’s design and place in Saab’s future.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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If you watch the video with Castriota doing a walkaround with the guy from Saabsunited, you can get an idea of what he was saying regarding the "Ursaab" and his designerspeak about a teardrop shape on top of a wing. It's more noticeable from fender level. We can't post photos here, but if you find images of the Ursaab, and then look at the shaping of the hood and front fenders of the Phoenix I think that you can see a resemblance, at least I can.
Wasn't the reason why auto companies did away with huge fins during the early sixties was because of handling problems during high-speed turns? Regardless, as with most concept cars, there's so much superficial crap thrown around that would never make it production. It's just a means to get the public excited toward design cues for future development. Quite frankly, I'm not the least bit excited about this concept car.