http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/03/geneva-auto-sho.html
Press - March 06, 2008
Geneva Auto Show: If These are Eco-Friendly, Sign Us Up - www.autoobserver.com
By: Bill Visnic
The Geneva auto show turned out as expected: It was a singular stage featuring fuel-efficiency and carbon-dioxide-reducing abilities as essentially the only act. Most automakers showed up in Geneva with actors capable of assuming roles in this new-age play. Those without the talent promoted the understudies’ virtue, that primarily being performance.
But what we liked most about the eco-positive hardware fronted in Geneva is how visually and intellectually appealing some of it turned out to be. In no particular order, our green favorites:
Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept
Sheetmetal that perfectly melds hip style and tech-savvy cues with Saab’s tradition of being just a little “out there.”
So much more contemporary and reaching than the old-school and somewhat girlie-looking BMW 1-Series and Volvo’s funky but only partially likable C30, if this is the future of efficient premium compact cars, bring it on (with at least one rear door, OK?). But no more teasing, Saab (read: Aero X) — the production version must look like this concept and the design language given the authority to dictate the appearance of all other Saabs. This look isn’t for everybody, but it is totally on the mark for Saab.
Reason No. 2 for the 9-X BioHybrid is the just plain sensible application of real-world technology. With a turbo (Saab’s specialty) strapped to a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder to make 200 horsepower on E85 — and just 105 g/km CO2 — the 9-X’s drivetrain brings into focus that fine fuel economy and silly-low emissions may not dictate the end of performance as we know it. The withering 143 hp per liter is plenty to give V8 Neanderthals something to ponder.
Just for kicks, the General Motors Corp. mothership also is dangling the likelihood of this powertrain being further boosted with the next-generation, lithium-ion battery–packing version of the corporate “mild” hybrid system. That’s like the triple-chocolate cake of the tech world. Yoi!
