Geneva Auto Show 2002 Highlights

Saab 9-3X
by Sam Livingstone

Making it's European debut, after it's first showing at Detroit earlier this year, the 9-3X has more Saab in its genes than the sporty 9X concept car shown last year, and is closer to the production reality of future Saabs under the new design chief Michael Maurer.

Specifically, the 9-3X draws heavily on Saab design DNA evident in the brand's most lasting and significant design, the Saab 99 of 1967, that grew to become the 900 in 1978 and carried on in production till 1993.

The relatively upright and strongly wrap-around screen and coupesque DLO are the strongest motif of the 99 that the 9-3X uses. In both cars the DLO has a soft convex curve describing its lower edge, whilst the upper edge is almost flat, an unconventional and thus particularly distinctive bit of Saab design identity.

The way that both cars' DLOs push into the surface of the upright wrap around screen, and yet are kept separate from the rear screen by thick C-pillars, is again a very unique part of Saab's design DNA. In the 9-3X its dark tinted glazing covers the A and B-pillars to strengthen the graphical impact of the DLO and make seamless its connection with the screen.

Another design element with its origins in the 99, is the 9-3X's feature line that anchors the glass house to the lower body of the car as the DLO pushes round into the front screen. This prominent line traces the DLO as it breaks downwards at the top of the C-pillar, and runs forwards, separating further from the lower edge of the DLO, into the front fenders.

This new lamp and grille graphic used on the 9-3X was previewed by the 9X last year, but also has its routes in the 99 and to a lesser extent the 96 that preceded it. The theme is that of a full width grille incorporating the headlamps, which originated in American car design in the 1960's and can be recalled in many European vehicle faces from the 1970's and 1980's.

But the way that the 9-3X's lamps defer dominance of the down-road-graphic to the grille, so that the car's face superficially appears to have a full width grille and no lamps, is unique today, and will contribute significantly to making future production Saabs instantly recognisable on the road.

With its development and emphasis of traditional Saab design motifs combined with the abbreviated tall coupe profile of this modish 'cross-over' concept, the 9-3X shows how the Saab brand can and will grow into the future.